IT’S not just the Premier League that is hurtling towards a breathless conclusion, with a title race going to the final day and the prospect of Tottenham Hotspur being relegated.
But there’s a lot at stake in each of English football’s three lower tiers and plenty of Irish interest.
With around 140 Irish players scattered across the Championship, League One and League Two, this country is responsible for the largest foreign contingent in the English game.
And there has already been success stories in League One — with former Bohs and Shels star Jack Moylan helping Lincoln to reach the second tier for the first time in 65 years while Brian Barry-Murphy’s first season as Cardiff boss has seen them bounce straight back up to the Championship with two Irish players, Joel Bagan and Callum Robinson, making a contribution.
On fire: Lincoln City’s Jack Moylan celebrates scoring during his super season
As the EFL season enters its final couple of weeks, here are a few things to keep an eye on from here.
CHAMPIONSHIP
There are 49 Irish footballers at different Championship clubs, although none of them are at Coventry City, who have made a fairy tale return to the top flight under Frank Lampard.
That may change as Liam Kitching, who has impressed in the Sky Blues defence this season, is eligible and has been mooted as a possible inclusion for Ireland’s May training camp in Spain.
Roarsome: Ipswich Town’s Dara O’Shea celebrates with the supporters
But there are plenty involved in the promotion shake-up. Ryan Manning and Finn Azaz have put their Prague play-off pain behind them to be two key players in Southampton’s remarkable run to the play-off places.
Such has been the late surge by the Saints that they can still grab second place — and automatic promotion.
However, Ipswich’s fate remains in their own hands. The Tractor Boys, captained by Dara O’Shea and with his international teammates Jack Taylor and Kasey McAteer also playing a part, go to the Valley this evening to face a Charlton team that has little to play for, and will be expected to take the initiative in the race for second place.
Millwall, with Will Smallbone and Danny McNamara in their ranks, are the other team who still have a chance of of securing automatic promotion.
Middlesbrough have a healthy Irish contingent with Alan Browne a key player for them and Under 21 international Alex Gilbert also having a role in recent weeks but, having been in the top two for so long this season, it looks like they may have to make do with a play-off place.
The fourth and final play-off place is realistically the only one up for grabs.
Hull City, with John Egan at the heart of their defence, are in pole position to finish sixth, although Derby County, for whom Sammie Szmodics has made an impact since his loan move from Ipswich, can still make a late charge.
In control: Hull City’s John Egan wins possession against Coventry at MKM Stadium
While many of the Irish players — such as QPR duo Jimmy Dunne and Harvey Vale or Robbie Brady and Andy Moran at Preston — are in the safety of midtable, there are a few involved in the scrap for survival.
Blackburn can secure safety if they beat Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
If that’s the case, former Cork City defender Sean McLoughlin will have played a big part as the former Ireland U21 international has been virtually ever-present for them this season.
His compatriots, Eiran Cashin and Connor O’Riordan have had lesser roles.
Having seemed to have been on a downward spiral for a lot of the season, West Brom appear to have stopped the rot and should get out of trouble, which will please Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson, given the prominent roles that Jayson Molumby, Max O’Leary and Mikey Johnston have at the Baggies.
Oxford United seemed set to drop into League One, with two Irish U21 internationals Tyler Goodrham and Aidomo Emakhu playing regularly.
While Sheffield Wednesday have been doomed all season, given they have been deducted 18 points for various breaches of EFL rules but Dubliner Tayo Adaramola, on loan from Crystal Palace, has been getting regular game-time for the Owls.
LEAGUE ONE
Lincoln City have been one of the stories of the EFL season and there has been an Irish flavour, with Jack Moylan having an integral role as the Imps went on a 19-game unbeaten run that ultimately secured an emotional promotion — and title.
Josh Honohan also joined Lincoln from Shamrock Rovers, but an injury has meant the Cork man has yet to make an impression.
Brian Barry-Murphy made an immediate impact at Cardiff and despite a mid-season hiccup, has guided the Bluebirds back to the Championship.
Going up: Cardiff City manager Brian Barry-Murphy celebrates securing promotion
A lot of eyes will be on Bolton Wanderers ahead of the play-offs, as Johnny Kenny has started to score goals for them with veteran defender Cyrus Christie also part of the squad — with former Finn Harps player Fergal Harkin the club’s sporting director.
They just need a point from their final two games to guarantee a play-off spot.
Stockport County, where Louie Barry is in his second loan spell, should be okay for a play-off place too, as should Bradford, with Tyreik Wright and Ciaran Kelly in their ranks.
Of most interest in the chasing pack is Luton, now managed by Jack Wilshere and with Meath man Josh Keeley in goals, and whether they can sneak into sixth spot.
At the other end, Port Vale need to win all of their remaining games, starting tonight in Cardiff to avoid the drop.
While Exeter — with Pierce Sweeney, Jack Doyle-Hayes and Charlie Cummins all to the fore — also have a fight on their hands to stay in the division.
Glass half-full: Lincoln City’s Sonny Bradley celebrates the goal scored by Jack Moylan
Barry-Murphy wasn’t the only Irish manager in League One as Conor Hourihane took charge of a Barnsley squad that had four Irish players, including David McGoldrick and midfielder Luca Connell.
But having secured a midtable finish for the Tykes, it has been announced that the Cork man is leaving at the end of the season.
LEAGUE TWO
There are no Irish players at Bromley, who have stormed League Two in their first season in the Football League.
But former Ireland international Darren Potter is first-team coach at Milton Keynes Dons, who are chasing them down in second, and he is working with Liam Kelly and Scott Hogan.
Salford City, with former Bohs and Derry City forward Ryan Graydon to the fore, are still in contention for that third promotion spot, duking it out with Shane McLaughlin’s Cambridge and Conor Grant’s Notts County.
Former Ireland youth international Gavin Kilkenny had played a big part in Swindon’s promotion drive under Ian Holloway, but the midfielder is now out for eight weeks with an injury and will miss the play-offs.
Calling the shots: Barnet manager Dean Brennan issues his sideline instructions
Sam Curtis is currently on loan at Chesterfield from Sheffield United, and the former St Pat’s player will be expected to be involved in the play-offs.
But Barnet, under charismatic Dubliner Dean Brennan, who missed nine games this season with suspension, are making a late charge up the table, although they may just run out of games.
Cathal Heffernan signed an 18-month deal with Harrogate Town in January, leaving Newcastle.
The Corkman joined compatriots Anthony O’Connor and Jacob Slater in the dressing-room, but it has been a fight to remain in the EFL for the trio, with the side currently sitting bottom of League Two.
Former Ireland U21 international Sam Foley has been appointed Barrow’s player-manager until the end of he season, in an effort to avoid the drop and he has compatriot Niall Canavan as his captain and young Sligo goalkeeper Killian Barrett as part of the effort.
Vintage class: Joe Murphy of Tranmere Rovers has been in superb form aged 44
If Harrogate or Barrow avoid the drop, it might be at the expense of Tranmere Rovers, who have been dropping down the table.
With veteran Joe Murphy having kept goals for much of the season at 44 and Lee O’Connor also part of the team, there will be many on this side of the Irish Sea hoping that the Liverpool club can preserve their status.
