Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Republic of Ireland head coach Colin O'Brien issues instructions to Rory Finneran of Republic of Ireland during the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Group J match between Panama and Republic of Ireland at Aspire Zone in Doha, Qatar.

'A lot of nerves gone now' - O'Brien lauds opening win

Republic of Ireland U17 head coach Colin O'Brien feels his side have got any sense of trepidation out of their system after opening their FIFA World Cup group campaign with a 4-1 victory over Panama in Qatar.

Soccer • 05 Nov

Republic of Ireland head coach Colin O'Brien at Dublin Airport ahead of the Republic of Ireland U17s flight to Qatar for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup 2025.

U17 boss O'Brien braced for 'unpredictable' opener

Republic of Ireland under-17 head coach Colin O'Brien speaks to RTÉ Sport's Raf Diallo ahead of his side's FIFA World Cup opener against Panama tomorrow.

Soccer • 04 Nov

4 November 2024; Republic of Ireland head coach Colin O'Brien celebrates with his side after they qualified for the next round after the UEFA U17 European Championships Round 1 qualifier match between Scotland and Republic of Ireland at Inver Park in Larn

O'Brien's boys ready for heat of their World Cup moment

Republic of Ireland U-17 head coach Colin O'Brien feels his side have "already climbed a big mountain, by securing qualification" for next month's World Cup, but he is cautiously optimistic that they can secure knockout football in Qatar.

Soccer • 22 Oct

21 October 2025; Manager Colin O'Brien speaks to the media during a Republic of Ireland U17 FIFA World Cup squad announcement at the FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

No club concerns as O'Brien names U-17 World Cup squad

Republic of Ireland Under-17 head coach Colin O'Brien has named a 21-player squad for next month's World Cup in Qatar.

Soccer • 21 Oct

Ireland Head Coach Colin O'Brien says now the draw is done the hard works begins ahead of the tournament in November

Ireland U17s group confirmed for World Cup

Republic of Ireland U17s confirmed to face Paraguay, Uzbekistan and Panama in Group J in the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar in November.

Soccer • 25 May

The Under-17s are looking to shock Spain in the quarter-finals

Ireland have no fear of Spain with semi spot at stake

They did it the hard way, but the Republic of Ireland Under-17s showed great character to qualify for the knock-out stages of the European Championships in Hungary.

Soccer • 27 May 23

Ireland U18s off to a winning start under new manager

The Republic of Ireland Under-18s made it a winning start to Colin O'Brien's reign with a 2-0 victory over Hungary in Budapest.

Soccer • 17 Aug 21

Ireland U17s & U19s learn Euro qualifier opponents

The Republic of Ireland under 19 and under 17 teams have learned their opponents for their respective 2021/22 UEFA European Championship qualification campaigns.

Soccer • 09 Dec 20

Ireland under-17s begin campaign with emphatic victory

The Republic of Ireland under-17s couldn't have wished for a better start to their Euro Championship qualifying campaign as the beat Andorra 6-0 at Turner's Cross on Tuesday night.

Soccer • 12 Nov 19

Colin O'Brien's team will travel to Spain to take on Russia twice as part of their European Championships preparations

O'Brien names U-17 squad for Russian encounters

Republic of Ireland Under-17 head coach Colin O'Brien has named a 20-man squad for upcoming fixtures against Russia.

Soccer • 04 Sep 19

Ireland's Andrew Omobamidele (L) dejected after the game

O'Brien sees bright horizons in 'broader picture'

Despite watching his unbeaten Ireland Under-17 side exit the European Championships, head coach Colin O'Brien is convinced that the future is bright for Irish football.

Soccer • 09 May 19

Timi Sobowale and Charlie McCann show off some moves in training

Ireland look to rouse themselves for huge Tallaght push

The Republic of Ireland Under-17s are tired and stretched, but they're ready to give it one major push against Belgium at Tallaght Stadium to keep their European Championships dream alive.

Soccer • 09 May 19

Festy Ebosele (C) was shown a second yellow card for making minimal contact with Czech captain Jan Hellebrand

'The ref has been cheated, the game has been cheated'

Republic of Ireland manager Colin O'Brien has slammed the decision to send off Festy Ebosele in his side's 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic in the Under-17 European Championships.

Soccer • 07 May 19

Colin O'Brien is already looking to the next game

Under-17 boss O'Brien won't dwell on late equaliser

Ireland started the 2019 Under-17 European Championships as they finished the 2018 edition, shrouded in controversy, yet head coach Colin O'Brien accepted that the decision to let a late Greece goal state was probably the right one.

Soccer • 03 May 19

Former Shamrock Rovers keeper Gavin Bazunu is in the squad for the Ireland-hosted tournament

Preview: Ireland begin U17 Euro campaign hosting Greece

In terms of drama, nothing at this month's UEFA European Under-17 Championships is likely to surpass the goings on at last year's event, from an Irish perspective at least.

Soccer • 02 May 19

Troy Parrott is ruled out injured ahead of Friday's opening game

Parrott out as Idowu completes U17 squad ahead of Euros

Troy Parrott has been ruled out of the Ireland squad ahead of their opening game of the 2019 UEFA European Under-17 Championships and Roland Idowu will now link up with Ireland squad.

Soccer • 01 May 19

Troy Parrott has been making terrific progress with Spurs

Ireland hope Spurs will release Parrott for U17s Euros

Republic of Ireland Under-17 boss Colin O'Brien is in talks with Spurs to release Troy Parrott for the UEFA European Championships which kick off this Friday.

Soccer • 29 Apr 19

Colin O'Brien: "Every bit of support we can get, whether it is in Tallaght or coming down to the RSC, come out and support us."

Ireland U17 boss O'Brien asks for '12th man'

Republic of Ireland Under-17 boss Colin O'Brien has sent a rallying cry to the Green Army ahead of the looming UEFA European Championships.

Soccer • 21 Apr 19

Colin O'Brien: "All the work we have done this year has been to mirror the tournament scenarios."

Ireland U17s set for double-header as Euros loom

The Republic of Ireland Under-17s will gear up for the looming UEFA European Championships with a double-header against Finland.

Soccer • 18 Mar 19

Tallaght Stadium will host the Under-17 Euros final in May

Six LOI grounds named to host U17 Euros games

Six League of Ireland grounds have been confirmed to host games in May's UEFA Under-17 Euros.

Soccer • 25 Feb 19

Martin O'Neill and Colin O'Brien speak with Zbynek Proske

O'Brien focuses on positives after penalty controversy

Republic of Ireland Under-17 manager Colin O'Brien refused to focus on the controversial way his side exited the European Championships and instead looked to take the positives out of the tournament.

Soccer • 15 May 18

Ireland are getting ready for a quarter-final against Denmark

Ireland Under-17s set for step-up in class

Ireland's Under-17s take on the Netherlands in a European Championship quarter-final in England on Monday.

Soccer • 14 May 18

Ireland U17s qualify for Euros with unbeaten record

The Republic of Ireland U17s will qualify for the UEFA European Championship with six wins from six in the Qualifying and Elite Rounds following a 1-0 victory over Poland.

Soccer • 27 Mar 18

Republic of Ireland U17s cruise into Euro Elite Round

The Republic of Ireland U17 side qualified for the UEFA European U17 Championship Elite Round with a comprehensive 3-0 win in Bulgaria on Friday evening.

Soccer • 14 Oct 17

O'Brien's Ireland U17s set up Germany showdown at Euros

Colin O'Brien's Republic of Ireland U17 side secured a vital three points against Bosnia & Herzegovina to ensure Group C goes to the wire at the UEFA European U17 Championships in Croatia.

Soccer • 07 May 17