With few Irishmen finding the net in the Premier League this season, and Robbie Keane resigned to the subs bench for most games, it seems as if the scoresheet action is elsewhere. Conor Sammon, Anthony Stokes, and Adam Rooney may be banging them in up in Scotland, but what about outside the top tier? Here we countdown the top 10 Irish goalscorers in England so far this season (as of 12th November 2010).

10. Jimmy Ryan – 4 goals (3 league, 1 FA Cup)
4 time Irish under-21 international striker Jimmy Ryan has been with League Two side Accrington Stanley since 2008, and scored the second goal in their 3-2 win over Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup on Saturday. Perhaps the most memorable goal Ryan has scored yet in his career came earlier this season against Gillingham in the league, where he scored in the 90th minute, the 11th goal of a 7-4 thriller.

9. Kevin Thornton – 4 goals (3 league, 1 League Cup)
Northampton Town midfielder Kevin Thornton may have scored three league goals this season, but his most important goal came in the League Cup against Championship side Reading, taking the match to extra time, and then to penalties where the League Two side progressed to the third round, setting up an away match against Liverpool.

8. John O’Flynn – 4 goals (3 league, 1 LDV Vans Trophy)
Former Cork City striker John O’Flynn is having a decent season for Exeter City in League One, and would surely have more goals to his name were it not for an injury that kept him out of action for three weeks. Was one of the best performers this season before the injury, but once he gets back to full fitness, he surely will be back scoring every couple of games for Exeter.

7. Mark Yeates – 4 goals
Yet to be capped for the Irish senior team, Sheffield United midfielder Mark Yeates is definitely making a case for himself this season. He lined up alongside compatriots Andy Reid and Stephen Quinn in the United midfield on Wednesday night, and had his best performance of the season, scoring twice and doubling his goal tally. He’s also been on hand to create goals, including a pass for Matthew Lowton against Burnley before popping up himself right at the death to secure a point in a six goal thriller.

6. Ian Harte – 5 goals
This season, Harte’s goals are spread across two separate divisions. He played five times and scored twice for League One team Carlisle United before signing for Reading in the Championship on transfer deadline day. A great move for the current 20th most capped Irishman, and has seen him play every game since in the Royals defence. Scored on his debut with a penalty against Crystal Palace, and continues to be fantastic from set pieces both inside and outside the box.

5. Barry Corr – 6 goals (4 league, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
An honourable mention on October’s Players of the Month, Southend United striker Barry Corr has been one of the few shining lights in an otherwise unimpressive season for the Shrimpers. Made an excellent impact as a substitute in the League Cup against Bristol City, scoring a late game to take the match to extra time, where Southend won 3-2. Even though United’s 18 year old striker and fellow Irishman Harry Crawford has come off the bench three times this season, the pair have yet to play together. When they do, they could make an impressive all Irish front pairing.

4. Keith Treacy – 6 goals (4 league, 2 League Cup)
This week reaffirmed his desire to play for his country, where he will surely be an attacking force if selected against Norway. Has scored in six separate games so far this season, and has been one of the most consistent players in the Championship. Unlucky to be sent off in a frustrating game against Derby, Treacy must learn to keep his cool, and at only 22, is sure to develop into a Premier League player.

3. Liam Lawrence  – 7 goals (6 league, 1 League Cup)
With 2 goals in 11 games for the Republic of Ireland, we all know that Lawrence can be a potent threat to any opposition keeper. However, since his move from Stoke City to Championship side Portsmouth, he has been banging them in, particularly from the penalty spot. His first came in the 2-1 League Cup loss to Leicester City, but since then, his performances and goals (of which 4 have been penalties) have helped drive Portsmouth up the league table.

2. Dave Mooney – 8 goals (4 league, 2 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)
26 year old Colchester United striker Dave Mooney has been prolific across all competitions this season, netting eight times, including a double in the League Cup against Hereford United, and then another brace on Saturday at home to Bradford in the FA Cup. Yet to play a league game for Reading, Mooney’s loan move to Colchester is his fourth such deal yet, but is proving to be the most successful for the Dublin-born forward.

1. Anthony Pilkington – 9 goals (7 league, 2 LDV Vans Trophy)
The current joint third top goalscorer in League One (Bradley Wright-Philips currently sits at the top on 10 league goals), Huddersfield Town number 10 Pilkington is the first name on the team sheet for manager Lee Clark. Although just 22, Pilkington has long shown an eye for goal, hitting the woodwork against Lithuania when he lined out for the Republic of Ireland under-21s in October 2008. Huddersfield made the playoffs last season thanks to 7 league goals from the midfielder, but with that milestone already reached, and Town currently sitting in second place, promotion to the Championship is a definite possibility this season.

Related posts:

1. Spotlight: John O’Flynn
2. Irish Players with Hamilton Croatia
3. Spotlight: David Bell
4. Premiership Irish: Minutes played(Oct. 16th-17th)
5. Continental Irish: 25 October 2010 Update