Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Northern Ireland's forward Josh Magennis reacts

Second-half collapse sees N Ireland lose in Bulgaria

A bad week for Northern Ireland got worse on Tuesday night as two crisp Todor Nedelev strikes saw Bulgaria come from behind to win 2-1 in Sofia.

Soccer • 12 Oct 21

Ian Baraclough issues his troops instructions from the sideline

Baraclough bemoans draw after dominant display

Ian Baraclough was left to wonder what more his Northern Ireland players could have done as their World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria ended in a frustrating goalless draw.

Soccer • 01 Apr 21

Jamal Lewis of Northern Ireland is challenged by Petko Hristov

Northern Ireland's World Cup hopes dented by Bulgaria

Northern Ireland's hopes of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup suffered a major setback as they were held to a goalless draw by Bulgaria at Windsor Park.

Soccer • 31 Mar 21

Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough is encouraged by the mood in the camp ahead of tonight's clash at Windsor Park

Northern Ireland aiming for victory against Bulgaria

Ian Baraclough said his Northern Ireland side do not need anybody to remind them of the stakes in Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria as they put plenty of pressure on themselves.

Soccer • 31 Mar 21

Kyle Lafferty sees a bright future for Northern Ireland

Lafferty optimistic about the future despite defeat

Kyle Lafferty believes Northern Ireland showed the future is bright even in defeat to the United States on Sunday.

Soccer • 29 Mar 21

'...if we want to be in the top two, we have to win games like Bulgaria at home'

Baraclough aiming for 'first victory' against Bulgaria

Ian Baraclough was left frustrated as Northern Ireland's winless run continued with a 2-1 friendly defeat to the United States at Windsor Park.

Soccer • 28 Mar 21

The Ireland manager is still waiting on his first win

Kenny applauds players for playing through pandemic

Ireland failed to win, once again, at the Aviva, however, manager Stephen Kenny took time to applaud his players for all that they have gone through over the past two months playing for their country in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.

Soccer • 19 Nov 20

UEFA Nations League: Ireland 0-0 Bulgaria recap

The Republic of Ireland avoided relegation from Nations League B but will be third seeds for next month's 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Soccer • 18 Nov 20

The Ireland team that started against Bulgaria in the Nations League

Player ratings: O'Shea shines brightest in stalemate

Here is how we rated the Boys in Green in the 0-0 draw with Bulgaria in the Nations Cup.

Soccer • 18 Nov 20

Manning named in Ireland team to face Bulgaria

Ryan Manning will make his Republic of Ireland debut as Stephen Kenny's side take on Bulgaria at the Aviva Stadium tonight in their Nations League finale, kick-off 7.45pm.

Soccer • 18 Nov 20

Ireland avoid drop but fail to fire against Bulgaria

Ireland failed to score, once again, as Stephen Kenny's side played out a scoreless draw with Bulgaria in tonight's UEFA Nations League encounter at the Aviva Stadium.

Soccer • 18 Nov 20

Ireland need to hit the back of the net at Lansdowne Road tonight

Preview: Last chance for Kenny's crew to fire in 2020

Ireland's final UEFA Nations League group game of the current campaign may not be a must-win match, however, it is certainly firmly placed in the category of must-score.

Soccer • 18 Nov 20

Vasil Bozhikov of Bulgaria in action at Aviva Stadium in 2019

Covid cases see Bulgaria without trio for Ireland match

Bulgaria will be without three players for tomorrow's UEFA Nations League fixture against Ireland after they tested positive for Covid-19.

Soccer • 17 Nov 20

'This is a very trying time for everyone in football during the pandemic and I have had to take this decision with my own health in mind'

Kelly opts out of Bulgaria camp over Covid-19 concerns

Republic of Ireland goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly has opted to sit out this week's Nations League camp for the Bulgaria game due to personal reasons.

Soccer • 17 Nov 20

Brady was part of Ireland's starting side

Robbie Brady: Lack of goals a 'hard one to take'

A disappointed Robbie Brady was able to take positives from an improved Republic of Ireland display against Wales but admitted drawing another blank in front of goal - a sixth in a row - was difficult to take.

Soccer • 15 Nov 20

Cillian Sheridan at CSKA Sofia: An Irishman in Bulgaria

Wisla Plock and former Republic of Ireland striker Cillian Sheridan speaks to RTÉ Sport's Raf Diallo about his time with CSKA Sofia in Bulgaria in Part 1 of an in-depth chat on his career across the continent.

Soccer • 11 Nov 20

Bring it on - Kenny wants to test his side against quality teams like England

No fear of England: Kenny wants big games to test Irish

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny says that he does not fear any international team, and that that was one of the deciding factors to take on the tough task to play England at Wembley next week.

Soccer • 05 Nov 20

'We've had a lot to deal with as a group, but I was so proud of the players'

Ryan Giggs 'proud' after Wales extend unbeaten run

Ryan Giggs said he was a "proud" manager after watching his young squad extend their unbeaten run in competitive football to nine games with a 1-0 Nations League win in Bulgaria.

Soccer • 15 Oct 20

Jonny Williams celebrates his goal in Sofia

Williams strikes as Wales win in Bulgaria

Jonny Williams' first international goal gave Wales a 1-0 Nations League win over Bulgaria in Sofia.

Soccer • 14 Oct 20

It was the 19-year-old's first goal in senior football

Williams heads Wales to late win over Bulgaria

A late header from Neco Williams saw Wales beat Bulgaria 1-0 to move top of Ireland's Nations Cup group.

Soccer • 06 Sep 20

Callum O'Dowda (C) is tackled by Anton Nedyalkov (L) and Georgi Kostadinov of Bulgaria

O'Dowda: We could have been a bit more clinical

Callum O'Dowda had 'mixed emotions' after being named the FAI man of the match in the Republic of Ireland's 1-1 draw with Bulgaria.

Soccer • 04 Sep 20

Glenn Whelan is currently on 91 caps for the Republic of Ireland

Elliott argues the case for Whelan after Ireland draw

Former Republic of Ireland striker Stephen Elliott believes that Stephen Kenny's side would have benefitted from the presence of a player in the mould of Glenn Whelan – or possibly Whelan himself – after their 1-1 draw against Bulgaria in the Nations League on Thursday night.

Soccer • 04 Sep 20

Shane Duffy (L) with Bulgaria manager Georgi Dermendzhiev at the final whistle

'We were the better team', insists disappointed Duffy

Stand-in captain Shane Duffy was disappointed with the Republic of Ireland's failure to win in Bulgaria but pleased by the team's fight and commitment to new manager Stephen Kenny's game plan in the 1-1 draw.

Soccer • 04 Sep 20

The Brighton attacker threatened throughout the 1-1 draw

Ratings: Connolly shines as Kenny tries something new

Aaron Connolly was Ireland's best player on a night that will have given new boss Stephen Kenny food for thought ahead of Sunday's Aviva Stadium bow against Finland.

Soccer • 03 Sep 20

Adam Idah will makes his competitive debut aged 19

Idah to make first Ireland start, Coleman on bench

Adam Idah will make his senior debut for the Republic of Ireland in Bulgaria tonight, while Shane Duffy will captain the side after Seamus Coleman was named on the bench for Stephen Kenny's first game in charge.

Soccer • 03 Sep 20