Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Dion Charles is congratulated by his Northern Ireland team-mates after scoring from the penalty spot

Northern Ireland beat Belarus to move clear in group

Northern Ireland took a big step towards securing promotion back to the second tier of European football as second-half goals from Daniel Ballard and Dion Charles secured a 2-0 Nations League win over Belarus.

Soccer • 15 Nov 24

Michael O'Neill has overseen an upturn in his side's fortunes so far in the Nations League

NI boss O'Neill wants improvement in the final third

Michael O'Neill wants to see his Northern Ireland side take another step forward in their attacking play when they face Belarus on Friday.

Soccer • 12 Nov 24

Belarus set for Belfast clash after entry visas granted

Northern Ireland's Nations League match against Belarus will be played in Belfast later this month after entry visas were granted to the visitors.

Soccer • 01 Nov 24

Michael O'Neill's side are now on course for promotion in the Nations League

Updated O'Neill: Unfair if NI cannot host Belarus in Belfast

Michael O'Neill believes it will be unfair if Northern Ireland are unable to play their Nations League match against Belarus at Windsor Park next month after Tuesday's rousing 5-0 win over Bulgaria.

Soccer • 16 Oct 24

Windsor Park is due to host the November international

Northern Ireland unsure if Belarus can come to Belfast

Northern Ireland's Nations League match against Bulgaria on Tuesday night could yet prove to be their last home game of the year as doubts persist over whether next month's fixture against Belarus will be played in Belfast.

Soccer • 12 Nov 24

Michael O'Neill was not disappointed with his side's performance

O'Neill takes positives from stalemate with Belarus

Michael O'Neill picked out the positives after his Northern Ireland side were unable to capitalise on a string of chances in a goalless Nations League draw against Belarus in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary.

Soccer • 12 Oct 24

Nations League wrap: VAR call denies Scots in Croatia

Che Adams had a last-gasp goal ruled out as luckless Scotland suffered a 2-1 Nations League defeat to Croatia in Zagreb.

Soccer • 12 Oct 24

Russian athletes to compete as neutrals at Olympics

Russian and Belarusian athletes will be able to complete as neutrals at next summer's Olympics in Paris, the International Olympic Committee has announced.

Olympics • 08 Dec 23

Russian athletes competed as the Russian Paralympic Committee for the Tokyo 2020 games, which were held in 2021

Russian athletes to take part in 2024 Paralympic Games

Russian and Belarusian athletes are set to compete at next year's Paralympic Games as neutrals after surviving a vote to completely ban their countries from the event.

Paralympics • 29 Sep 23

FEI have extended their ban on Russia and Belarus

FEI uphold ban on Russia and Belarus

Protective measures prohibiting Russian and Belarusian athletes, horses and officials from participating in International Equestrian Federation's (FEI) events will remain in place until further notice.

Belarus • 05 Apr 23

Organisers of the Paris 2024 Olympics have insisted they would abide by the IOC's decision on Russian and Belarusian participation

Baltic nations, Poland urge IOC ban on Russian athletes

The Baltic nations and Poland have called on international sports bodies to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing in the Olympics and other events while the war in Ukraine continues.

Olympics • 02 Feb 23

A supporter holds a flag of Russia at the Australian Open

Russian flags banned from Australian Open

Russian flags have been banned at the Australian Open after one was displayed at a match between Russian and Ukrainian players.

Tennis • 17 Jan 23

Russia and Belarus will take no part in this year's World Championships

FINA ban Russia and Belarus from World Championships

Russia and Belarus have been banned from this year's aquatics World Championships, governing body FINA has announced.

Swimming • 23 Mar 22

U-turn sees Russian and Belarusian Paralympians banned

Russian and Belarusian athletes will be banned from the Beijing Winter Paralympics after the International Paralympic Committee reversed its original decision.

Paralympics • 03 Mar 22

Russian and Belarusian athletes allowed in Paralympics

Russian and Belarusian athletes have been given the green light to compete as neutrals at the Paralympic Games in Beijing despite the invasion of Ukraine.

Paralympics • 03 Mar 22

Niamh Carey is congratulated after scoring. Credit: Frank Uijlenbroek

Ireland move closer to World Cup spot with Belarus win

Niamh Carey 48th-minute goal gave Ireland a 3-2 victory over Belarus in Pisa to put them within one win of the 2022 Hockey World Cup.

Hockey • 23 Oct 21

Bale hits hat-trick as Wales grab win in final seconds

Gareth Bale ended his two-year Wales scoring drought as his hat-trick secured a thrilling 3-2 World Cup qualifying win over Belarus in Kazan.

Soccer • 05 Sep 21

Krystsina Tsimanouskaya sought the protection of police at Tokyo's Haneda Airport so she would not have to board the flight

Belarusian athlete Tsimanouskaya granted Polish visa

A Belarusian athlete who took refuge in the Polish embassy in Tokyo on Monday a day after refusing her team's orders to board a flight home from the Olympic Games has been granted a humanitarian visa by the Polish government.

Olympics • 02 Aug 21

Euro Track cycling event scrapped amid Belarus fall-out

The European Track Cycling Championships, scheduled to be held in Minsk next month, have been cancelled amid political fall-out from Belarus' forced landing of an airliner to arrest regime opponents.

Cycling • 27 May 21

The Belarusian Cup final attracted 65,000 viewers on YouTube

Football proves global appeal months on in Belarus

The Vysheyshaya Liga in Belarus attracted a brand new audience during the Covid-19 lockdown, proving football's global appeal. Rory Houston looks at how the league benefited from it.

Soccer • 21 Jun 20

Leon Goretzka of Germany celebrates 2-0 with Matthias Ginter

Germany seal their ticket to 13th Euros in a row

Defender Matthias Ginter scored one goal and was involved in two more as Germany comfortably saw off Belarus 4-0 on Saturday to clinch their place at Euro 2020, qualifying for the finals for a record 13th time in a row.

Soccer • 16 Nov 19

McNair maintains Northern Ireland's 100% record

Paddy McNair's first international goal saw Northern Ireland snatch a 1-0 win over Belarus and make it four wins out of four in Euro 2020 qualifying.

Soccer • 11 Jun 19

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill

O'Neill: We can put pressure on Netherlands with win

Michael O'Neill wants his Northern Ireland side to pile the pressure on Holland by beating Belarus in Tuesday's Euro 2020 qualifier in Borisov.

Soccer • 10 Jun 19

Josh Magennis side-footed home the winner in the final five minutes

Late Magennis strike gives NI precious victory

Josh Magennis' late goal saw Northern Ireland make it two wins out of two in Euro 2020 qualifying with a 2-1 victory over Belarus.

Soccer • 24 Mar 19

O'Neill wants more of the same against Belarus

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill believes their Euro 2020 qualifier win over Estonia was a coming-of-age moment for his side's younger players

Soccer • 23 Mar 19