Raf Diallo

RTÉ Sport Journalist

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson arrives before the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and North Macedonia at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

'It's good the Czechs won, it shows us how close we are'

Heimir Hallgrimsson and assistant John O'Shea reflect on the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifying campaign and the metrics that almost took them past Czechia in the play-off semi-final last week.

Soccer • 02 Apr

Troy Parrott of Republic of Ireland is tackled by Imran Fetai of North Macedonia during the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and North Macedonia at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Friendly frustration as Ireland held by North Macedonia

The Republic of Ireland were unable to soothe the pain from Prague with victory as Heimir Hallgrimsson's side were held to a 0-0 draw by North Macedonia in their friendly at Aviva Stadium.

Soccer • 01 Apr

John Egan of Republic of Ireland arrives before the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and North Macedonia at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Ireland make three changes for North Macedonia friendly

Heimir Hallgrimsson has made three changes to his Republic of Ireland side for tonight's Aviva Stadium friendly against North Macedonia.

Soccer • 31 Mar

Bosun Lawal of Republic of Ireland after the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and North Macedonia at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

O'Shea buoyed by emergence of 'important' youngsters

Tuesday night's friendly 0-0 draw against North Macedonia might have been a "strange" one for the Republic of Ireland but for John O'Shea the main positive was the opportunity to blood new senior internationals.

Soccer • 01 Apr

Ward: Critical for fans to pack out Poland game at Aviva

Carla Ward says it is "critical" that Republic of Ireland fans pack out Aviva Stadium for next month's World Cup qualifier against Poland.

Soccer • 30 Mar

Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson during a Republic of Ireland men's media conference at the FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin.

Hallgrimsson prizing performance over experimentation

Heimir Hallgrimsson is not planning to drastically experiment with his Republic of Ireland side despite Tuesday's clash against North Macedonia being a friendly.

Soccer • 30 Mar

Bosun Lawal and Jason Knight, right, during a Republic of Ireland men's training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin.

Preview: Unwanted friendly not a full stop for Ireland

It's the friendly no one wanted for the Republic of Ireland but Heimir Hallgrimsson and the Boys in Green are keen to use tonight's match against North Macedonia as the launchpad for what's to come on the road towards Euro 2028.

Soccer • 31 Mar

Millenic Alli during a Republic of Ireland men's training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin.

Late-bloomer Alli offers Ireland 'different perspective'

Heimir Hallgrimsson believes the Republic of Ireland's newest face Millenic Alli will bring a "different perspective" to the squad due to his late-bloomer status.

Soccer • 31 Mar