Over the weekend, we were keeping an eye on the Irish talent in action during the FA Cup fourth round action.

With part of that gaze firmly set on Euro 2016, a number of fringe and emerging talents will be hoping to stake a claim in Martin O'Neill's thoughts.

This weekend was not a great one for MK Dons as they were thumped 5-1 by Chelsea.

However, the only goal for the Championship club did come from five-time Ireland cap Darren Potter (31) whose shot deflected in. 

Fellow Irishman Samir Carruthers was also a starter for the Dons.

Earlier in the day, Roberto Martinez started with two Ireland regulars (Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy) in the win at Carlisle, while Darron Gibson, who is expected to move on loan, was brought into the fray with 15 minutes to go.

Derby County also fielded a large contingent of Irishmen in their 3-1 defeat at home to Manchester United on Friday night as right-back Cyrus Christie, centre-half Richard Keogh and Jeff Hendrick were all involved.

Christie in particular had a tough challenge as United posted an impressive Anthony Martial on his side of the field.

Meanwhile at Reading, midfielder Stephen Quinn started and defender Paul McShane came on as a second half sub as the club thrashed Walsall 4-0.

Quinn set up the second goal of the game with a cross for Matej Vydra. Limerick-born midfielder Anthony Forde was in action as a starter for Walsall.

Bury versus Hull also saw a small contingent of Irish lads on show, including Manchester City and Ireland U21 keeper Ian Lawlor who is on loan at Bury, who lost 3-1. Midfielder David Meyler was in action for Hull (see above) and was due to take a penalty, only to see Tigers captain Michael Dawson intervene to give hat-trick scorer Chuba Akpom the ball. Akpom's first goal had come when Lawlor had saved a Meyler shot.

And finally, ex-Saint Patrick's Athletic midfielder Chris Forrester has earned praise of late at Peterborough United and started in his side's 2-2 draw with Premier League West Brom.