Sammie Szmodics nets hat-trick with Sinclair Armstrong also scoring as Irish make mark on FA Cup third-round

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Sammie Szmodics blitzed his way to a first half hat-trick as Blackburn came from behind to defeat Cambridge United at home.

The one-time Premier League winners fell behind after just six minutes to the U’s but Szmodics almost single-handedly turned the tie on its head with Blackburn coming out victorious 5-2.

He was replaced in stoppage time by Ireland under-17 international Rory Finnernan who made history by becoming Blackburn’s youngest-ever first-team player aged just 15 years, 10 months, and 8 days.

Meanwhile, Evan Ferguson continued to be frustrated in front of goal in Brighton's 4-2 win over Stoke.

He was subbed off in stoppage time as his fellow Meathman Luke McNally played the second half for the visitors.

Chiedozie Ogbene made his first start in over a month as Luton Town limped to a scoreless draw against League One Bolton Wanderers.

Andy Lyons and CJ Hamilton started for Blackpool in the city ground where the League 1 side drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forrest.

Andrew Omobamidele made a rare appearance on the bench for Forrest with a loan move very likely in the coming weeks.



Tom O’Connor’s deflected strike was the difference as Wrexham overcame Shrewsbury in the Severnside Derby, claiming a Man of the Match performance along with it.

James McClean also played the full 90 minutes for the Red Dragons as they sealed their place in the Fourth Round for a second consecutive season.

Former Waterford man Tummise Sobowale started the game for Shrewsbury alongside Jordan Shipley.

Former fellow ex-Blues man Roland Idowu played the final 23 minutes for the Shrews.

At the London Stadium, Max O’Leary started in goals with Jason Knight captaining Bristol City to a 1-1 draw with West Ham.



Across town at Stamford Bridge, Will Keane and Alan Browne started for Preston who were on the receiving end of a 4-0 defeat to Chelsea.

Ireland U21 cap Alex Gilbert played the final quarter for Middlesbrough as they fell to a late defeat to high-flying Aston Villa. The winger troubled the Villa defence on a couple of occasions with his pace and power.

Sinclair Armstrong scored the first of QPR’s goals as they raced to a 2-0 lead over Bournemouth at Loftus Road.

It was to be proved short-lived as the Cherries roared back to a 3-2 victory with Mark Travers earning a rare start for the Premier League side.

Callum Robinson started for Cardiff City as they were thumped 4-0 by Sheffield Wednesday. The forward played 86 minutes and missed an early penalty for the Bluebirds.

It was to be the same fate for Gillingham’s Irish duo Conor Masterson and Shadrach Ogie who lost 4-0 at home to Sheffield United.

Tom Cannon raced to his third goal in a week for Leicester as he continues to flip-flop over his Irish future, defeating fellow championship side Millwall 3-2. Danny McNamara started in defence for the Lions

There was considerable Irish interest in the MKM Stadium where Hull City drew 1-1 with Birmingham. Aaron Connolly played the full 90 for the home side Sean McLoughlin and exciting midfielder Harry Vaughan.

Promising young full-back James Furlong was an unused substitute alongside 17-year-old Stanley Ashbee. Kevin Long started for Birmingham.

Ryan Delaney and Shane McLoughlin both started for Newport County as they laboured to a 1-1 draw with Eastleigh. Meanwhile, Adam Idah played the second held as Norwich played out the same result against Bristol Rovers.

Will Smallbone helped Southampton to a 4-0 drumming of League 2 Walsall. Joe Quigley put fifth-tier Chesterfield in front against Watford, albeit they were eventually defeated 2-1 by the championship club.

The uncapped duo of Marcus Harness and Jack Taylor helped Ipswich overcome the sticky challenge of AFC Wimbledon. Taylor scored Ipswich’s third goal defeating the Wombles 3-1. International cap Alex Pearce started for the London club.

Josh Cullen got a rare start for Burnley alongside Dara O’Shea as they suffered a late 1-0 defeat to Tottenham. In the Gtech community stadium, Nathan Collins squared off against Matt Doherty as Brentford and Wolves played out a 1-1 draw.

In the last of the all-Premier League clashes, Everton and Crystal Palace remained scoreless with Seamus Coleman playing his first full game for the Toffees since March 2023.

Baba Adeeko was the only Irish interest in the final tie of the round. He played the full game as Wigan fell to a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United.

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