Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

SIPTU left frustrated after FAI redundancy meeting

SIPTU representatives have met with management at the Football Association of Ireland over planned redundancies at the association.

Soccer • 11 Sep

26 January 2024; Shamrock Rovers chief executive officer John Martin during the Shamrock Rovers Women's Aid partnership announcement at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

FAI appoints former Hoop Martin as director of football

The Football Association of Ireland has confirmed the appointment of John Martin as director of football, succeeding former chief football officer Marc Canham.

Soccer • 11 Sep

6 June 2025; FAI President Paul Cooke welcomes guests during the 35th FAI International Awards at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

FAI amateur cup competitions switch to summer season

Following last week's announcement that the FAI would allow leagues to exempt themelves from the aligned football calendar, the association have confirmed that their major amateur and youth cup competitions would be switching to a calendar year season

Soccer • 14 Aug

Hannah Dingley at the launch of the FAI's women and girls' football action plan in March

Updated Dingley to leave FAI after just one year

Hannah Dingley is to leave her position as the Football Association of Ireland's head of women and girls' football after just over a year in the job.

Soccer • 21 May

Maxim Afonin is one of 11 Shamrock Rovers players in the Republic of Ireland squad for the Torneo Delle Nazioni, which was played this week

Ireland squad highlights imbalance at academy level

The recent Republic of Ireland Under-15 squad announcement has reignited a long-running debate in Irish football over regional balance and the growing divide between academies in Dublin and those outside the capital.

Soccer • 03 May

Ruesha Littlejohn battles with England star Georgia Stanway

Littlejohn: Ireland need to stop conceding cheap goals

If Ireland are going to take that next step and compete with the best sides in the world, they must eradicate their costly habit of conceding soft goals, reckons experienced midfielder Ruesha Littlejohn.

Soccer • 13 Jul 24

The FAI has recognised the 1924 Ireland fixtures as the first official senior international matches

FAI recognises 1924 games as first men's internationals

The FAI has announced that it will formally recognise the 1924 Ireland fixtures, including the Paris Olympic Games matches played that year, as the first official senior international matches.

Soccer • 17 May 24

'If we go overseas for our new CEO, let it be from nations like Iceland, Croatia or other smaller countries with similar football foundations'

Two LOI men who fit the bill for FAI chief executive

Daniel Lambert and John Martin come from backgrounds which mean wanting better outcomes for Irish football is instinctual and they are achieving this through clever business acumen. They are exactly the type of characters the FAI needs right now.

Soccer • 19 Apr 24

FAI's mountain of issues overshadow Hill's rocky reign

The FAI CEO leaves after a forgettable stint presiding over a difficult period for Irish football

Soccer • 16 Apr 24

The FAI board met at the FAI's HQ on Wednesday

FAI insist new manager announcement on track for April

Football Association of Ireland president Paul Cooke has reiterated that the FAI expect to appoint a new senior men's team head coach next month.

Soccer • 28 Mar 24

The Football Association of Ireland had debts of €63.5 million in 2020

FAI used Covid resilience funds to pay off debt

The Football Association of Ireland has admitted that it used some of the €33.7 million provided for Covid-19 resilience to pay off a 'legacy' debt, which was against the terms of state funding intended only to offset turnover losses caused by the pandemic.

Soccer • 22 Feb 24

FAI to appear before Public Accounts Committee today

The Football Association of Ireland will appear before the Public Accounts Committee in Leinster House this morning and members of the committee are set to examine oversight and governance of Sport Ireland and Exchequer funding provided to the FAI.

Soccer • 22 Feb 24

The stars align for Gleeson to seize her moment

Eileen Gleeson takes charge of the Republic of Ireland tasked with taking an ambitious team to the next level. It's the opportunity of a lifetime for a coach who has been working towards this for decades.

Soccer • 19 Dec 23

Updated Barrett made decision to pay CEO Hill for holidays

Former Football Association of Ireland independent chairman Roy Barrett has admitted that he made the decision that CEO Jonathan Hill should be paid in lieu of holidays, which led to €6.8 million of state funding being temporarily suspended.

Soccer • 10 Dec 23

FAI carry vote in favour of gender-balanced board

Members of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have approved an extension of the Board to 14 members in a vote which ensures the FAI will meet gender balance requirements set out by Government.

Soccer • 09 Dec 23

FAI headquarters at the National Sports Campus

FAI faces 50% funding cut without board changes - Byrne

Minister of State for Sport Thomas Byrne has warned the FAI that they face a 50% cut in funding for projects next year if they do not implement promised governance reform.

FAI • 14 Nov 23

Vera Pauw has accused the FAI executive, led by CEO Jonathan Hill, of reneging on a promised contract offer

Ronan: FAI silence has created an unhelpful vacuum

The FAI needs to explain the decision not to offer Vera Pauw a new contract, or matters off the pitch will continue to overshadow events on it, according to former Ireland manager Sue Ronan.

Soccer • 04 Sep 23

Croke Park will not be hosting football matches in Euro 2028

UK-Ireland Euro 2028 bid submitted as Croke Park cut

The UK-Ireland bid to host Euro 2028 has been submitted to UEFA with Croke Park excluded from the proposed stadia to be used in favour of the Aviva Stadium and a redeveloped Casement Park.

Soccer • 12 Apr 23

Niamh O'Mahony's election to the FAI Board was confirmed, lifting female representation to 25%

O'Mahony elected to FAI Board at resumed AGM

Packie Bonner and Robert Watt were ratified for a further two years on the FAI Board, though there was surprise as SFAI representative Tom Browne was not endorsed at today's Annual General Meeting in Dublin.

Soccer • 21 Jan 23

Des Casey (R) welcoming Jack Charlton in Dublin Airport in 1986

FAI pays tribute to late president Des Casey

The Football Association of Ireland has paid tribute to its former president and UEFA executive board member Des Casey, who has died aged 91.

Soccer • 24 Aug 22

Vera Pauw claims she was raped as a young player

Vera Pauw has released a statement alleging that she was raped as a young player in the Netherlands.

Soccer • 01 Jul 22

The Euro 2028 bid was submitted to UEFA this morning

Updated Euro 2028 bid submitted, Russia interest confirmed

The government have confirmed their backing for Ireland's bid to co-host Euro 2028, which was formally submitted to UEFA on Wednesday morning, while both Russia and Turkey are also in the mix to host the tournament.

Soccer • 24 Mar 22

Former FAI president David Blood dies

David Blood, the former president of the Football Association of Ireland, has died aged 81.

Soccer • 07 Feb 22

Shamrock Rovers will have plenty of local rivals for the title in 2022

The Dublin Question - an issue for the LOI?

The 2022 Premier Division will contain five clubs from Dublin, with none from the other cities or the midlands combined. Peter Branigan asks whether this should be of concern to the FAI.

Soccer • 30 Dec 21

Galway United won the 2021 Under-14 League of Ireland

Clubs to discuss 'disgraceful' delay of Under-14 season

The FAI is being asked to explain a dramatic redrawing of the Under-14 League of Ireland campaign without consultation with the clubs, as the Premier Clubs Alliance gets set for an emergency meeting on Friday.

Soccer • 02 Dec 21