BARRY MCCARTHY announced himself to the word of county cricket with a match-winning five wicket haul as Durham beat Lancashire in one of the few county championship games to beat the elements over the past few weeks.

It hasn't been the best of starts for Irish players across the water as several haven't made the first team ranks, although many are making a serious impact at the level below with runs and wickets galore.

2015 wasn't the greatest of seasons for the Irish cricketers plying their trade across the pond. George Dockrell and William Porterfield found themselves out of favour, while Peter Chase's injury ruled him out of any possible participation for Durham.

It's been a quiet few weeks for the Irish in England with the UAE game and a number of them not featuring in the county championship first teams.

There's been a mixture of T20 and Championship action over in England with Paul Stirling playing a starring role as Middlesex crushed Kent in a T20 game.

ED JOYCE was the batting hero for Sussex as the Dubliner led the Hove side to their second win of the campaign.

Runs for Niall O'Brien, Gary Wilson, William Porterfield and Ed Joyce.

Although the main focus of action in England focussed on the 50 over Royal London one-day competition, there were games in the county championship and that's where we start our review.

Brilliant century by Niall O'Brien the highlight of the Irish performances in England.

Ed Joyce returns to form, while Gary Wilson continues good form with Surrey, albeit in a losing cause.

A quiet week in the County Championship with Gary Wilson's 82 the highlight as his good form for Surrey continues.

Gary Wilson's unbeaten 160 takes Surrey to a convincing 10 wickets win over Leicestershire.

Another week of eye-catching performances by the Irish players in county action in England.

Pride of place goes to Ed Joyce for yet another century - his fourth of the season, three of which have come in the county championship.

There's only one place to start this week and that's William Porterfield's maiden County Championship for Warwickshire.

There was no shortage of Irish involvement in England this week with the start of T20 action.

Tim Murtagh the star as he takes 6 for 60 to help Middlesex defeat Lancashire.

Niall O'Brien scores brilliant hundred, while Ed Joyce and William Porterfield are also among the runs. Graeme McCarter takes wickets for Gloucestershire.

William Porterfield in excellent form in the latest round-up of Irish stars across the pond in England.

The first in our regular series looking at how Irish players have performed across the water. Joyce and Murtagh play leading roles in wins for Sussex and Middlesex.

George Dockrell's six wicket haul and Niall O'Brien's 92 the highlights of the Irish players performances in England over the past week.

Quieter week for the Irish in England as Twenty20 season starts in earnest.

We were bemoaning last week the paucity of runs and wickets among the Irish contingent in England, but there are no such concerns this week as Ed Joyce recorded the second double hundred of his career.

It hasn't been the happiest of weeks for the Irish in England with runs and wickets in short supply.

Low key week for the established Irish stars but headlining hundreds for Andrew Balbirnie and Stuart Poynter.

Blistering Paul Stirling century the highlight of the past week as Irish players continue to do well in England.

Tim Murtagh takes top billing again as his ten wicket haul takes Middlesex to the top of the Championship table.

Ed Joyce and Tim Murtagh again turn in strong performances as the Irish continue to play well across the water.

Niall O'Brien the stand-out performer in another week where the Irish players turned in some strong performances.