It was a memorable weekend for Northern Ireland Under-21 international Justin Devenny who made his Premier League debut for Crystal Palace in their 2-0 home defeat to Fulham on Saturday.
The 21-year-old, who was signed by the south London side from Scottish club Airdrie in the summer of 2023, put in an impressive shift for the Eagles before being substituted on 74 minutes.
“I found out (I would be starting) during the week, but only 100% found out… I think it was Friday,” he told the Palace website. “As soon as I knew that, I just couldn't hide the smile on my face.
“I enjoyed every moment. You can't not enjoy moments like that."
And Devenny (pictured) added: “It was a bittersweet moment because obviously I'm grateful, and it's such a great achievement for myself, but it's hard to look past the result right now – but I'm sure I will reflect and look back on this.”
Also in the Premier League Conor Bradley got over 65 minutes under his belt ahead of Northern Ireland’s crucial upcoming Nations League games after he replaced the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield.
On the goalscoring front St Mirren’s Conor McMenamin, who has missed most of the campaign so far with a knee injury, scored both goals in the Buddies' 2-0 success at struggling Hibernian.
After the game manager Stephen Robinson hailed the former Glentoran forward's contribution.
“Conor gives us something different and sometimes we've been missing that spark which Conor can provide,” Robinson told the club’s media channel. “The one thing he needed to do was add goals to his game.
“He's not 100% fit yet - he still needs a bit more fitness and work. We have to shut him down for three or four days now because we've been pushing him to get to this level and we'll go again for the Aberdeen game."
“He was fantastic today and he's a talented, talented boy,” added the former Northern Ireland international. “I thought to a man we were excellent and it’s hard for me to pick out any one player over the other to be honest.”
In the Championship there were starts for Shea Charles, Ciaron Brown, Paul Smyth, Trai Hume, Ali McCann and Portsmouth’s Terry Devlin who was excellent again for the South Coast outfit in their 3-1 home win over Preston North End.
There was also a boost for Michael O’Neill with the return to action of Sunderland’s Dan Ballard who came off the bench to play the latter stages of the Black Cats' home draw with managerless Coventry City.
Mansfield Town goalkeeper Christy Pym had to be replaced just after the half-hour mark of the Stags' 1-0 defeat at Wrexham in League One after he sustained injuries to his neck and shoulder.
There were assists over the weekend for Huddersfield Town defender Brodie Spencer and also left back Jamal Lewis who set up the winner for Brazilian outfit Sao Paulo in their 2-1 defeat of Athletico-PR.
In the U18 Premier League winger Cole Brannigan made it three goals in two games for Aston Villa after scoring a consolation goal for Villa in their 3-1 home defeat to West Ham.
Finally, congratulations to 17-year-old Everton striker Braiden Graham who has signed his first professional contract, which runs until the summer of 2027.
The former Linfield player and Irish FA JD Academy graduate, who only joined the Premier League outfit in July, has scored eight goals in just nine appearances for the Toffees' U18 side this season.
