Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

The Republic of Ireland's grim 2018 by the numbers

2018 has been a year to forget for Martin O'Neill and his Republic of Ireland team. We run the rule over the numbers as to why.

Soccer • 20 Nov 18

Martin O'Neill says it's "lunacy" to suggest he could have played Rice at home to Moldova last year

'Lunacy' - O'Neill defends handling of Rice saga

Martin O'Neill has dismissed as "lunacy" suggestions he should have capped teenager Declan Rice in a World Cup qualifier against Moldova to tie him to the Republic of Ireland.

Soccer • 19 Nov 18

Harry Arter: "Declan seems very old school in his beliefs and his upbringing."

Harry Arter: The whole squad is behind Declan Rice

Harry Arter said the Republic of Ireland squad are completely behind Declan Rice as the West Ham United teenager continues to mull over his international future.

Soccer • 09 Nov 18

The international future of Declan Rice remains uncertain

Rice struggling with 'hardest decision of his career'

Declan Rice claims that he has yet to make up his mind on his international and that it's 'one of the hardest decisions' he will make in his career.

Soccer • 09 Nov 18

Declan Rice made his Ireland debut against Turkey earlier this year

O'Neill still hopeful on Rice despite England overtures

Martin O'Neill believes Declan Rice will not make a decision on his international future until the end of the year and that recent reports the West Ham defender has already opted for England are "without foundation".

Soccer • 06 Nov 18

Rice set to pick England according to reports

Is the saga of Declan Rice's international future finally set to come to an end?

Soccer • 31 Oct 18

"What I did have was an official approach from the Irish FA. And at that stage I didn't think twice about it."

Chris Hughton has sympathy for Rice's situation

Chris Hughton believes Declan Rice should make the decision that suits him best on his international future.

Soccer • 04 Oct 18

It looks like we're going to lose Declan Rice, and every Irish fan will be understandably demoralised.

If Declan Rice 'unliked' us then it's O'Neill's fault

Declan Rice can go and play for a progressive, exciting England team, or stay with a limited, fractured Ireland. Like it or not, it doesn't look like a tough choice.

Soccer • 04 Oct 18

Rice is currently in contract negotiations with West Ham as well as deliberating his international future

Rice, Rice, maybe? Day of drama as speculation grows

An afternoon of rumours, half-truths, Twitter likes, denials and a social media U-turn. It was a day that perfectly sums up the intrigue surrounding Declan Rice's international future.

Soccer • 05 Oct 18

Rice played with Ireland through the underage ranks

Southgate on Rice: There's no update on our side

Gareth Southgate has yet to receive an update on Declan Rice's future amid reports the West Ham youngster had decided to switch allegiance from the Republic of Ireland to England.

Soccer • 04 Oct 18

Richie Towell has been in good form in the Championship

Towell receives Ireland call as Rice sits out again

Declan Rice has not been included in Martin O'Neill's Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming Nations League games against Wales and Denmark, but Harry Arter has returned to the squad.

Soccer • 04 Oct 18

Roy Keane was involved in a major bust-up with Harry Arter

McAteer blames Keane for Rice's Irish absence

Former Republic of Ireland international Jason McAteer has claimed that Roy Keane is to blame for Declan Rice's withdrawal from the Irish set-up.

Soccer • 01 Oct 18

Declan Rice is currently earning £3,000 per week

Pellegrini expects Rice to sign new West Ham contract

Manuel Pellegrini is confident Declan Rice will agree a new contract at West Ham as speculation about the player's international future continues.

Soccer • 28 Sep 18

Declan Rice: "Without a doubt we could have had three points."

Declan Rice 'buzzing' & aiming for Man United scalp

Declan Rice said West Ham are now "buzzing" after putting their dismal start to the season behind them.

Soccer • 24 Sep 18

Declan Rice: "To play against Chelsea would be special."

Rice fired up & desperate to face old club Chelsea

Declan Rice has urged West Ham to carry over the momentum from their first win of the season for the visit of London rivals Chelsea on Sunday.

Soccer • 23 Sep 18

The Ireland squad training ahead of the recent friendly in Poland

'There is something broken and it needs to be fixed'

A WhatsApp audio message in relation to a bust-up in the Republic of Ireland camp and Declan Rice taking time out to decide on his international future are just part of a more complex relationship between management and players, according to Packie Bonner.

Soccer • 18 Sep 18

Declan Rice (L): "It was a really good moment for all of us."

Declan Rice savours day of redemption on Merseyside

Declan Rice said he "really, really enjoyed" his day of redemption on Merseyside, a month after suffering one of the most difficult days of his career.

Soccer • 17 Sep 18

Superb Rice leads West Ham to victory at Everton

Declan Rice set aside his Republic of Ireland saga to underline just why he's so highly coveted, producing a terrific performance in the middle of the park to help West Ham sink Everton 3-1 at Goodison Park.

Soccer • 16 Sep 18

Martin O'Neill believes Harry Arter will return to the Irish fold

O'Neill hopes for Rice return & Arter 'reconciliation'

Martin O'Neill has not given up hope of having Declan Rice, Harry Arter and Seamus Coleman back for the Nations League double-header next month.

Soccer • 13 Sep 18

'I do believe in my heart of hearts that he'll come back and play for Ireland and I hope he's accepted.'

Morrison: Don't judge Rice, I believe he'll come back

Former Ireland international Clinton Morrison says he believes that Declan Rice will return to play for Ireland and hopes that the 19-year-old will be welcomed back if he does.

Soccer • 07 Sep 18

Sean St Ledger believes that Ireland can bounce back from a tough week

St Ledger backs Irish players to ignore distractions

Former Republic of Ireland international Sean St Ledger is confident that the current team will be able to put the unrest of the last week behind them and get a result in what he believes is a derby game with Wales tonight.

Soccer • 06 Sep 18

Seamus Coleman has rejected that the Damien Rice nationality issue is straightforward

Coleman: No reason Rice can't feel English and Irish

Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman said he believes there's no reason why Declan Rice can't feel partly English while representing Ireland proudly and insisted the squad would welcome him back with open arms.

Soccer • 05 Sep 18

Harry Arter has opted out of the Ireland squad

Hunt 'shocked' Arter-Keane row was made public

Noel Hunt says he is extremely surprised that an argument between Republic of Ireland international assistant manager Roy Keane and Harry Arter was made public.

Soccer • 04 Sep 18