Former Saint Patrick’s Athletic midfielder Keith Fahey was on target today as Birmingham City clinched the second automatic promotion spot from the English Championship to the Premier League. Today’s 2-1 win over Reading confirmed second place for the Blues.

Fahey struck the opening goal of the game after 19 minutes and although Reading fought back in the closing moments, Birmingham won out to follow Wolves into England’s top flight.

Joining Fahey in the Birmingham side were Lee Carsley and Stephen Carr while Stephen Hunt, Jay Tabb and Shane Long all started for Reading while Kevin Doyle joined them from the bench in the second half.

Sean St Ledger’s goal 15 minutes from the end clinched a play-off spot for Preston as they beat QPR 2-1 and pipped Cardiff City to sixth place in the Championship.

It wasn’t all good news for Irish footballers on Sunday though. Despite on loan striker Alan Lee scoring in first half stoppage time, Norwich City slipped to a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Charlton Athletic – condemning Norwich to relegation to the third tier of English football. Fellow loan signing Dave Mooney and former senior Irish international Gary Doherty also lined out for Norwich while Wes Hoolahan is also at the club and missed the crunch part of the season through injury.