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Alan Lee made his claims for a regular place in the Ireland starting XI no harm with an opening day goal for Cardiff City as they drew 1-1 with Crewe Alexandra in a match that also saw the return of Graham Kavanagh from injury after a three-month lay-off at the end of last season.
Also among the goals was Ireland Under 21 winger Kevin Foley who scored Luton Town's winner a 2-1 win against Oldham Athletic, Clive Clarke who scored a penalty in Stoke City's 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers and JJ Melligan scored for Cheltenham town in a 2-0 against Southend.
The FA Community Shield took place in Cardiff as Manchester United's Irish duo, Roy Keane and John O'Shea, finished on the losing side.
There was plenty of Irish interest at Highfield Road in the Championship as Coventry – including Steve Staunton, Mick Doyle and Graham Barrett – beat Sunderland 2-0 who had Gary Breen and Stephen Elliott in their starting line-up.
There were plenty of other Irish men in action in the Championship with Paddy Kenny's Sheffield United drawing 1-1 with Burnley, Graham Stack's, Barry Cogan's and Alan Dunne's Millwall drawing 0-0 with Graeme Coughlan's and Mickey Evan's Plymouth.
Gary Kelly and Paul Butler's Leeds beat Jeff Kenna's Derby County 1-0, David Connolly's Leicester drew 0-0 with his former club West Ham, Martin Rowlands QPR drew 1-1 with Rotherham and Andy Reid's Nottingham Forest drew 1-1 with Wigan Athletic.
In Scotland, Alan Maybury's Hearts beat Dundee 1-0 while Aiden McGeady helped Celtic to a 2-0 win.
*atogb will be increasing its coverage of how Ireland's internationals are performing in England, Scotland and across the continent as the season progresses.