Republic of Ireland defender Jimmy Dunne scored twice as QPR hammered Swansea City 5-0 at Loftus Road on Friday night, a result that lifted the west London club back into the Championship play-off places.
Dunne, the Dundalk-born centre back, headed home in first-half stoppage time and added a second in the 86th minute, while Richard Kone struck a hat-trick inside 15 minutes to put the game beyond the Swans before the break. According to RTE.ie, Swansea, who sat top of the table until Friday, suffered their second defeat in a row yet remain second in the standings.
How QPR took the game away from Swansea
Kone, who found the target ten times for Rangers last season but had not scored in this campaign before Friday, ended his drought in spectacular fashion. BBC Sport reported that the striker's quickfire treble inside the opening quarter of an hour set the tone, with QPR four goals to the good by half-time.
Swansea had their moments. Ireland striker Adam Idah, Dunne's international teammate, rattled the crossbar shortly after the visitors fell behind. QPR keeper Pierce Charles then produced a fine stop to deny Melker Widell just before Rangers' third goal arrived.
Dunne's first came from a corner. He rose to head home a delivery from another Boys in Green colleague, Harvey Vale, in first-half stoppage time. His second arrived late, when he stuck out a leg to divert Kone's off-target shot into the net for Rangers' fifth.
Irish players across the Championship
The Friday and weekend fixtures carried plenty of interest for Irish supporters, with a large contingent of Boys in Green players featuring across the division.
Southampton announced their promotion credentials with a chaotic 3-2 win at pre-season title favourites West Ham. Kuryu Matsuki, James Bree and Lewis Dobbin all scored in a wild first half, while Kyle Walker-Peters and Tomas Soucek replied for the Hammers. Ryan Manning and Finn Azaz both started and played the full 90 minutes for the Saints, whose victory ended West Ham's nine-match unbeaten run.
At Deepdale, substitute Aune Heggebo struck an 82nd-minute equaliser for West Brom to deny Preston North End a first win under Graham Alexander. Andrew Hughes had hooked Preston ahead from a corner, but the Norwegian's leveller, four minutes after coming off the bench on the hour, secured a 1-1 draw. Johnny Kenny played until the 70th minute for Preston, Andrew Moran made a half-time appearance for just his third league cameo of the campaign, and Jayson Molumby completed the full match in the heart of the West Brom midfield with Max O'Leary in goal.
Cardiff climb under Cork native Barry-Murphy
Brian Barry-Murphy's Cardiff City halted Birmingham's winning run with a 1-0 victory thanks to Yousef Salech's first-half winner. The striker's sixth goal of the season arrived ten minutes after James Beadle had saved his penalty, and Cardiff have now recorded three straight home wins since promotion from League One.
The Bluebirds had the in-form Jack Moylan in a deeper midfield role and newly capped Ireland left back Joel Bagan in their line-up. Cork native Barry-Murphy watched from the stands while serving a touchline ban, having collected his third yellow card of the season.
Stoke and Bristol City played out a hard-fought goalless draw at the bet365 Stadium. Versatile Ireland international Bosun Lawal made his second consecutive start for the Potters, while Robins captain and fellow Dubliner Jason Knight and Meath-born defender Luke McNally started for the visitors.
Wolves, Blackburn and Lincoln impress
Adam Armstrong ended his goal drought with a milestone strike to give dominant Wolves a 1-0 win over Watford at Molineux. Andri Gudjohnsen's second brace in a week earned Blackburn a clinical 2-0 victory against Wrexham.
Thomas Waddingham's fortuitous winner gave in-form Portsmouth a 2-1 come-from-behind win over Millwall at Fratton Park. Mikkel Ladefoged marked his first league start with a second-half brace as Lincoln City thrashed struggling Burnley 4-1 at Sincil Bank, with Chiedozie Ogbene introduced as an 81st-minute substitute.
Patrick Bamford was injured in the act of scoring Sheffield United's equaliser in a 1-1 draw with ten-man Derby, limping off amid the celebrations after Bobby Clark had given the visitors a first-half lead. Ireland newcomer Liam Kitching started in the Blades' back four, Tom Cannon played off Bamford, and Sammie Szmodics featured for Derby before being withdrawn with 17 minutes remaining.
At The Valley, Boys in Green midfielder Conor Coventry started for Charlton as Norwich came from behind to win 3-1, halting a six-match losing streak and easing the pressure on head coach Philippe Clement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many goals did Jimmy Dunne score against Swansea?
Dunne scored twice in QPR's 5-0 win at Loftus Road, heading home in first-half stoppage time and adding a second in the 86th minute.
Who scored a hat-trick for QPR?
Richard Kone scored three goals inside the opening 15 minutes, his first goals of the campaign after ten last season.
Where do QPR and Swansea sit in the Championship table?
QPR moved back into the play-off positions in eighth place, while Swansea remain second despite back-to-back defeats.