Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Ewa Pajor of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring her team's fourth goal during the UEFA Women's Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-finals Second Leg match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Spotify Camp Nou on April 02, 2026 in Barcelona

Mannion on red alert ahead of battle with Pajor-led Poles

Republic of Ireland defender Aoife Mannion has warned there's more to Poland than star Barcelona striker Ewa Pajor ahead of next week's crunch World Cup qualifiers double-header.

Soccer • 4 hrs

Ward: Critical for fans to pack out Poland game at Aviva

Carla Ward says it is "critical" that Republic of Ireland fans pack out Aviva Stadium for next month's World Cup qualifier against Poland.

Soccer • 30 Mar

7 March 2026; Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward during the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier match between the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland at Stadion Galgenwaard in Utrecht, Netherlands. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Frustration and pride for Ward after Dutch defeat

Carla Ward was left frustrated by some slack defending against the Netherlands, but she was ultimately proud of her side's performance after another defeat.

Soccer • 08 Mar

7 March 2026; Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward, left, and Netherland's head coach Arjan Veurink before the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier match between the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland at Stadion Galgenwaard in Utrecht, Netherlands.

'Disrespectful' Dutch leave Ward with sour taste

There was a bit of bad blood in the aftermath of the Republic of Ireland's 2-1 World Cup qualifier defeat to the Netherlands on Saturday night, with head coach Carla Ward irked by "disrespectful" behaviour from the hosts.

Soccer • 09 Mar

Anna Patten of Republic of Ireland during the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier match between the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland at Stadion Galgenwaard in Utrecht, Netherlands.

Patten takes positives and eyes 'massive' Poland games

Anna Patten is already looking forward to April's crunch double-header with Poland after the Republic of Ireland's 2-1 World Cup qualifier defeat to the Netherlands on Saturday night.

Soccer • 08 Mar

The Republic of Ireland matchday pennant in their dressing room before the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier match between the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland at Stadion Galgenwaard in Utrecht, Netherlands.

Team news: Quinn fills O'Sullivan void for Dutch clash

Lucy Quinn will step into the void left by the injured Denise O'Sullivan for the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands at Stadion Galgenwaard in Utrecht tonight.

Soccer • 07 Mar

Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward reacts after her side's defeat in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and France at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.

Ward: I feel like somebody's stabbed me in the heart

As the anguish of a cruel defeat subsided a little, Republic of Ireland boss Carla Ward could talk up the pride she felt in her side's impressive performanc against France.

Soccer • 04 Mar

Tyler Toland, left, and Emily Murphy during a Republic of Ireland women training session at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.

Preview: Narrow margins for ambitious Girls in Green

The Republic of Ireland welcome France to Tallaght Stadium tonight aiming to pull off a shock World Cup qualifier victory.

Soccer • 03 Mar

Head coach Carla Ward and Katie McCabe during a Republic of Ireland women media conference at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.

Battlelines drawn as Ireland look to stun the French

The Tallaght Stadium pitch has been narrowed, the battlelines are drawn and the Republic of Ireland are ready to chase what would be a seismic World Cup qualification victory when France come to town tomorrow night.

Soccer • 02 Mar

Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward speaks to her team after the UEFA Women's Nations League B match between Republic of Ireland and Greece at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin

Ward hatching Tallaght plan to upset France

Republic of Ireland boss Carla Ward is hatching a Tallaght Stadium plan to try and unsettle world No 7-ranked France in just under two weeks' time.

Soccer • 18 Feb

Connolly back for Girls in Green's World Cup qualifiers

Megan Connolly is back in the Republic of Ireland squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers against France and the Netherlands, while Heather Payne misses out despite returning to action with Leicester City last Friday.

Soccer • 17 Feb

20 January 2026; New Republic of Ireland women's assistant coach Gary Cronin with head coach Carla Ward at FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Cronin appointed Republic of Ireland assistant coach

Gary Cronin has been appointed as assistant coach of the Republic of Ireland's women's side.

Soccer • 20 Jan

Alan Mahon (C) with Jessie Stapleton and Carla Ward

Mahon leaves Ireland role for 'personal reasons'

Republic of Ireland women's assistant head coach Alan Mahon has stepped away from the post with immediate effect.

Soccer • 02 Dec 25

Ward defends behind-closed-doors outing in Marbella

Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward has defended the decision to play Hungary in a behind-closed-doors friendly in Marbella.

Soccer • 29 Nov 25

25 June 2025; Lucy Quinn during a Republic of Ireland women training session at North Area Athletic Complex in Arvada, Colorado, USA. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Quinn unfazed by Ireland's rising expectations

The Republic of Ireland's Lucy Quinn is on a high heading in to Saturday's match against Hungary after making her 150th appearance for Birmingham City last week.

Soccer • 25 Nov 25

Arsenal players stand for a minutes silence ahead of Remembrance Sunday prior to the Barclays Women's Super League match between Arsenal and Chelsea FC at the Emirates Stadium on November 08, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Ward backs Irish players' poppy stance

Carla Ward says she supports any players' decision not to wear a poppy as part of Remembrance Day commemorations after four of her Republic of Ireland players opted against having the symbol on their jersies earlier this month.

Soccer • 19 Nov 25

Head coach Carla Ward speaks to the media during a Republic of Ireland women squad announcement at the FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin.

'Positivity breeds positivity' - Ward hails Irish wave

Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward wants to harness the recent surge in positivity around Irish football as she looks towards what could be a seismic 2026.

Soccer • 18 Nov 25

23 October 2025; Head coach Carla Ward during a Republic of Ireland women media conference at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Ward happy to have avoided England in qualifying draw

Republic of Ireland manager Carla Ward declared herself happy with her side's World Cup qualifying draw and admitted that she was pleased to have avoided her native England.

Soccer • 04 Nov 25

Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward and Abbie Larkin

Ward sails through choppy waters towards bright horizon

The Republic of Ireland are almost a year into the Carla Ward era. What happens in 2026 will define it.

Soccer • 30 Oct 25

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 25

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 25

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 25

Head coach Carla Ward, left, and Katie McCabe during a Republic of Ireland women media conference at the Aviva Stadium

Ireland 'won't park bus' as they gear up for Belgians

Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward insists her side "won't just park the bus" as they look to upset a strong Belgian outfit in the first leg of their Nations League promotion/relegation play-off at Aviva Stadium on Friday night.

Soccer • 23 Oct 25

Head coach Carla Ward speaking to media during a Republic of Ireland women media day at the FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin.

Ward admits 'outside noise' around FAI a distraction

Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward has admitted "outside noise" around the FAI has been a source of frustration since she took the reins last January.

Soccer • 20 Oct 25

29 June 2025; Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward speaks to her players after the women's international friendly match between the USA and Republic of Ireland at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Ward talks up merits of USA trip after punishing week

Republic of Ireland boss Carla Ward talked up the positives of her side's trip to the USA despite her players feeling the impact of what she described as "dangerously hot" conditions in Cincinnati on Sunday.

Soccer • 30 Jun 25