Anthony Pyne

Katie McCabe of Republic of Ireland after the UEFA Women's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation play-off second leg match between Belgium and Republic of Ireland at The King Power At Den Dreef Stadium in Leuven, Belgium

McCabe: Ireland need to be out of 'comfort zone'

Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe says the Girls in Green will only go to the next level by consistently testing themselves against the strongest nations in the world as they head back to the top tier of the Nations League.

Soccer • 29 Oct

Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward and Abbie Larkin of Republic of Ireland celebrate after the UEFA Women's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation play-off second leg match between Belgium and Republic of Ireland at The King Power At Den Dreef Sta

'I'd love England at Wembley' - Ward eyes next level

Republic of Ireland boss Carla Ward made no secret of her ideal opponents in next year's World Cup qualifiers – she wants a crack at her native England.

Soccer • 29 Oct

The jersey of Katie McCabe hangs in the Republic of Ireland dressing room before the UEFA Women's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation play-off second leg match between Belgium and Republic of Ireland at The King Power At Den Dreef Stadium in Leuven, B

Team news: Ireland unchanged as McCabe joins 100 club

Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward has named an unchanged team for tonight's Nations League promotion/relegation play-off second leg against Belgium in Leuven, with Katie McCabe set to win her 100th cap.

Soccer • 28 Oct

Denise O’Sullivan during a Republic of Ireland women training session at The King Power at Den Dreef Stadium in Leuven, Belgium

Preview: Opportunity knocks as Irish prepare for storm

And so it's on to the Flemish city of Leuven, where the Republic of Ireland are aiming to complete what would be their most significant triumph in quite a while.

Soccer • 28 Oct

Players, including Katie McCabe, Amber Barrett and Chloe Mustaki, celebrate during a Republic of Ireland women training session at The King Power at Den Dreef Stadium in Leuven, Belgium

Postcard from Leuven: Irish priests and sacred moments

The Republic of Ireland left a cold, rainy Dublin on Sunday afternoon for Leuven, the picturesque university city 25 kilometres east of Brussels that hosts tomorrow night's Nations League play-off second leg.

Soccer • 28 Oct

Head coach Carla Ward and Katie McCabe during a Republic of Ireland media conference at The King Power at Den Dreef Stadium in Leuven

'What Katie has done for Ireland has been sensational'

Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward has heaped praise on "sensational" Katie McCabe as the captain prepares to win her 100th international cap in Belgium on Tuesday night.

Soccer • 27 Oct

Belgium head coach Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir during the UEFA Women's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation play-off first leg match between Republic of Ireland and Belgium at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin

Hallgrimsson protege Gunnarsdottir plots Irish downfall

Paths criss-cross all the time in football, so it's no great surprise that the career of Belgium boss Elisabet Gunnarsdottir has swerved into Irish-hued lanes a few times.

Soccer • 28 Oct

Dublin , Ireland - 24 October 2025; Aoife Mannion of Republic of Ireland and Lisa Petry of Belgium during the UEFA Women's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation play-off first leg match between Republic of Ireland and Belgium at the Aviva Stadium in Dub

'They've a free hit' - Mannion braced for Belgian storm

Republic of Ireland defender Aoife Mannion has warned any complacency will be punished in Belgium as the Girls in Green look to finish off the job in their Nations League promotion/relegation play-off tomorrow night.

Soccer • 27 Oct

Chloe Mustaki of Republic of Ireland celebrates after the UEFA Women's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation play-off first leg match between Republic of Ireland and Belgium at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Mustaki determined to 'keep raising the level'

Chloe Mustaki has endured enough highs and lows to keep things in perspective, but no one would blame the teak-tough defender for really savouring Friday night's win against Belgium at Aviva Stadium.

Soccer • 26 Oct

Marissa Sheva of Republic of Ireland, centre, is congratulate by teammates after scoring their side's fourth goal during the UEFA Women's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation play-off first leg match between Republic of Ireland and Belgium at the Aviva

Ward hails Ireland's 'heart, desire and fight'

Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward hailed the spirit and endeavour of her team after they defeated Belgium 4-2 in the first leg of their Nations League promotion play-off at Aviva Stadium.

Soccer • 24 Oct