Eoin Doyle

RTÉ Sport soccer analyst

'Hallgrimsson has been tasked with rebuilding a team that has struggled for form in recent years, and while a win over England would be a dream start, it's the long-term progress that will define his tenure'

Hallgrimsson's Nice blueprint for daunting England test

By a quirk of fate, Heimir Hallgrimsson's first game in charge of the Republic of Ireland is against England - a giant he helped to slay at Euro 2016. Eoin Doyle believes elements of that Icelandic plan can be adopted at Lansdowne Road tomorrow.

Soccer • 06 Sep 24

St Pat's gain confidence in defeat as rebuild looms

Although they bowed out of the competition, Stephen Kenny and his players can hold their heads high, knowing they gave everything in their pursuit of European group stage football.

Soccer • 30 Aug 24

'Tonight's match comes at a time when Shelbourne desperately need to establish consistency'

Everyone will feel the heat when Shels and Bohs collide

Shelbourne prepare to face Bohemians tonight at Tolka Park in a significant night for the title challengers.

Soccer • 23 Aug 24

'Risks are calculated and rewards are within reach'

Potential rewards can justify risky business

In recent years, the League of Ireland has witnessed an evolution in the calibre of players that clubs are willing to sign, and with it, the wages they are prepared to pay.

Soccer • 16 Aug 24

'Shelbourne have probably had the best window in the Premier Division'

Cork look to future with return of Maguire and Keating

The return of Ruairi Keating and Sean Maguire is Cork City planning for the future as any transfer window should be, writes Eoin Doyle.

Soccer • 09 Aug 24

'FAI Cup Final week aside, the week's during the European campaign are the most enjoyable part of the season for our players but the bread and butter of the domestic league cannot be neglected'

Europe is exciting but league is the bread and butter

For teams like Shamrock Rovers, balancing the excitement and challenge of qualifying for European group stages with the critical need to secure a top league position is a delicate act, writes Eoin Doyle.

Soccer • 02 Aug 24

'Conceding after 28 seconds unfortunately put an instant stop to Damien Duff's pragmatic approach'

Continental shift can help fire Kenny's Pat's project

We have experienced a mixed bag of results in our clubs' European campaigns as the summer progresses, Eoin Doyle assesses the fate of our clubs on the continent.

Soccer • 26 Jul 24

'Drawing inspiration from the NFL model, where commercial revenue is split evenly among clubs while allowing them to retain locally generated income, could be effective'

Commercial break: Time to invest in an independent LOI

In the final instalment of his four-part series on the future funding of football in Ireland, Eoin Doyle makes the case for the League of Ireland breaking away from the FAI.

Soccer • 19 Jul 24

'Considering that football bets now constitute around 30% of all bets made in Ireland, it seems only fair that the sport receives a more equitable share of the betting levy'

Betting levy and welfare fund a good wager for football

In the third in his series on the future funding of football in Ireland, Eoin Doyle looks at a couple of existing revenue sources that work for other sports.

Soccer • 14 Jul 24

'The two existing state funds that could play a pivotal role are the Apprenticeship Employer Grant and the National Childcare Scheme'

Two ways to fund Irish football's future generations

The solution to our predicament is straightforward - our academies need full-time coaches to ensure our young players receive adequate training and game-time to succeed.

Soccer • 05 Jul 24