Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson

Tactical naivety leads to doubts around Heimir future

After a week in which Ireland produced one of their worst performances in living memory, big questions are being asked of manager Heimir Hallgrimsson and just what he's asking of his players.

Soccer • 11 Sep

9 September 2025; Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson reacts after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Armenia and Republic of Ireland at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan, Armenia. Photo by Stephen McCarthy

Armenia debacle shines spotlight on Hallgrimsson tenure

"We probably need a miracle to qualify," admitted Heimir Hallgrimsson, following Ireland's humiliating 2-1 defeat to Armenia.

Soccer • 10 Sep

Hallgrimsson 'takes the blame' amid pessimistic mood

Heimir Hallgrimsson said he was taking responsibility for the Republic of Ireland's damaging defeat to Armenia in Yerevan and admitted that any hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup look to be longest of shots.

Soccer • 11 Sep

Jack Taylor, left, and Dara O'Shea of Republic of Ireland reacts after conceding a goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Armenia and Republic of Ireland at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan, Armenia.

Player Ratings: Day of Armenian acrimony for Ireland

Here's how we rated the Ireland players after the 2-1 defeat to Armenia which has left Ireland which just one point from a possible six in the World Cup qualification group.

Soccer • 11 Sep

Doherty dropped as Ogbene and Taylor start in Armenia

Matt Doherty has been left out of the Ireland side for this evening's World Cup qualifier against Armenia in Yerevan.

Soccer • 09 Sep

8 September 2025; Chiedozie Ogbene during a Republic of Ireland training session at the AFF Technical Center Academy in Yerevan, Armenia. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Preview: Ireland can steady the ship with Yerevan win

The Republic of Ireland are already playing catch up in their quest to qualify for the World Cup as they get set to take on Armenia in Yerevan on Tuesday evening.

Soccer • 09 Sep

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson and Jake O'Brien, left, after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Republic of Ireland and Hungary at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Kelly: In-game management better than last Armenia trip

Stephen Kelly feels the Republic of Ireland's in-game management has improved as Heimir Hallgrimsson's side look to build on the comeback draw against Hungary when they face Armenia on Tuesday.

Soccer • 08 Sep

8 September 2025; Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson and Josh Cullen during a Republic of Ireland media conference at the AFF Technical Center Academy in Yerevan, Armenia. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Hallgrimsson expects early test against Armenia

Heimir Hallgrimsson will expect his players to be tuned in from the first whistle as Ireland take on Armenia in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier in Yerevan.

Soccer • 08 Sep

O'Shea: No excuses in Armenia

Dara O'Shea has warned the Republic of Ireland they can have no excuses as they head into their World Cup qualifier in Armenia having banked a hard-fought first point of the campaign against Hungary.

Soccer • 08 Sep

Cristiano Ronaldo on the mark against Armenia

Ronaldo brace steers Portugal to easy win over Armenia

Cristiano Ronaldo took his international goal tally to 140 in 222 appearances with two as Portugal opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 5-0 hammering of Armenia in Group F.

Soccer • 06 Sep

Stephen Kenny was aiming to build momentum for the road to Euro 2024 through the Nations League

Treacy: Ireland 'sleepwalking' into Euro 2024 qualifers

Speaking on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast, former Republic of Ireland midfielder Keith Treacy fears the Boys in Green are 'sleepwalking' into the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign after a mixed UEFA Nations League campaign.

Soccer • 29 Sep 22

Stephen Kenny celebrating the Michael Obafemi strike at Lansdowne Road

Defiant Kenny defends team after 'crazy' Armenia clash

Stephen Kenny was defiant in defence of his side's performance after securing a slender 3-2 victory over Armenia, despite "a few minutes of absolute madness", that almost proved costly at the Aviva Stadium.

Soccer • 28 Sep 22

Robbie Brady scores from the penalty spot

Kenny bemoans 'ridiculous ten minute period'

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny was left to bemoan 'ridiculous ten minute period' as his side conspired to throw away a two-goal lead against Armenia, only to nick victory courtesy of a late Robbie Brady penalty.

Soccer • 27 Sep 22

John Egan celebrates his opening goal at Lansdowne Road

Ireland avoid major scare to scrape past Armenia

Ireland survived a second-half horror show to eventually secure a 3-2 victory over Armenia in their final UEFA Nations League clash at the Aviva Stadium.

Soccer • 27 Sep 22

John Egan of Republic of Ireland heads his side's first goal

Republic of Ireland 3-2 Armenia - recap

Stephen Kenny's Republic of Ireland side got out of jail as a last Robbie Brady penalty gave them a 3-2 victory over an Armenia side that somehow fought back from 2-0 down with two goals in three minutes. Here's how it happened.

Soccer • 27 Sep 22

Shane Duffy and Chiedozie Ogbene training on a well-watered Lansdowne Road track ahead of the Armenia match

Preview: Ireland must avoid bum note against Armenia

Stephen Kenny pondered the definition of tempo in football and its importance in ensuring victory against Armenia in tonight's UEFA Nations League encounter.

Soccer • 27 Sep 22

Stephen Kenny and Nathan Collins at Monday's pre-Armenia press conference

Changes but not radical for Armenia relegation battle

Stephen Kenny confirmed that there would be changes to his side to face Armenia at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night, however, the Ireland manager expects them to be minimal rather than wholesale.

Soccer • 26 Sep 22

Ukraine hammer Armenia - Ireland unable to top group

Ukraine ran out emphatic 5-0 winners over Armenia in Yerevan, a result that means Republic of Ireland can't top Group B1 of the Nations League.

Soccer • 24 Sep 22

Armenia manager Joaquin Caparros was not surprised by Ireland's 3-0 victory over Scotland

Armenia boss not surprised by Ireland victory

Armenia head coach Joaquin Caparros was not surprised to see Scotland lose 3-0 in Dublin as he vowed his team would put their "heart and soul" into emulating their victory over the Republic of Ireland.

Soccer • 13 Jun 22

Scott McKenna heads home Scotland's second goal

No slip-ups for Scotland against Armenia

Anthony Ralston and Scott McKenna bagged their first international goals as Scotland began their Nations League campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over Armenia at rain-soaked Hampden Park.

Soccer • 08 Jun 22

Will Smallbone has excelled for Ireland's Under-21s in recent games

Rogers: Smallbone fits bill as missing link in midfield

Former Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rogers tips Republic of Ireland Under-21 midfielder Will Smallbone to make the step up to the senior set-up to provide a missing link in midfield, while ex-St Patrick's Athletic boss Johnny McDonnell has his say on who should be nailed on starters.

Soccer • 08 Jun 22

Chiedozie Ogbene has been a shining light for Ireland according to the former World Cup finalist

Hamann offers Ireland ray of hope after Armenia shock

Didi Hamann offered Ireland a ray of hope on what was a bitterly disappointing day for Stephen Kenny's side in Yerevan.

Soccer • 05 Jun 22

Stephen Kenny knows that it will be a tough task to win the Nations League group following the defeat

'We have made life difficult for ourselves' - Kenny

A very disappointed Stephen Kenny offered up no excuses for his side's unexpected defeat in Armenia and admits that his side have it all to do if they are to have a chance of winning their Nations League group.

Soccer • 04 Jun 22

Chiedozie Ogbene missed Ireland's best chance late in the first half

'Rectify the result' - Ogbene rues missed chance

Chiedozie Ogbene said Ireland have to learn from the defeat in Armenia, pick themselves up and rectify the result following the team's shocking defeat in Yerevan.

Soccer • 04 Jun 22

Eduard Spertsyan celebrates after scoring the only goal of the game in Yerevan

Ireland shocked in Armenia as Spertsyan hits winner

The Republic of Ireland's eight-game unbeaten run was smashed in Yerevan as Armenia shocked Stephen Kenny's side, winning 1-0 at the Republican Stadium in Yerevan.

Soccer • 07 Jun 22