Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - MARCH 03: Rafael van der Vaart draws out Republic of Ireland during the UEFA Nations League Draw at Beur van Berlage on March 03, 2020 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Lukas Schulze - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

All you need to know: Ireland's World Cup play-off draw

The draw for the World Cup play-off is on Thursday at 12pm in Switzerland. Here is all you need to know.

All-Ireland winner Meyler calls time on Tyrone career

Tyrone footballer Conor Meyler has said it's "time to listen to the body" after announcing his retirement from inter-county football at the age of 31.

Football • 3 hrs

16 November 2025; Dara O'Shea of Republic of Ireland celebrates after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F Qualifier match between Hungary and Republic of Ireland at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

O'Shea 'emotional' seeing the pride back home

Republic of Ireland defender Dara O'Shea said he feels "proud" of the resilience the squad showed in battling back to secure an unlikely play-off spot after a disastrous loss to Armenia early in the group.

Soccer • 4 hrs

16 November 2025; Troy Parrott, left, and Seamus Coleman of Republic of Ireland celebrate after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F Qualifier match between Hungary and Republic of Ireland at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsf

Ireland rise to 59th in world but remain in Pot 3

The Republic of Ireland have climbed three places in the latest FIFA world rankings, rising to 59th after the World Cup qualifying victories over Portugal and Hungary.

Soccer • 3 hrs

Lombardy , Italy - 11 March 2024; Ireland coach Zaur Antia during the bout between Grainne Walsh of Ireland and Aneta Rygielska of Poland during the Women's 66kg Quarterfinals bout during day nine at the Paris 2024 Olympic Boxing Qualification Tournament

High performance head coach Antia announces retirement

Zaur Antia has announced his retirement after 10 years as head coach of the Irish Athletic Boxing Association's high performance unit.

Boxing • 4 hrs

15 November 2025; Sam Prendergast of Ireland, left, is replaced by team-mate Jack Crowley in a second half substitution during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Smit: Physicality should not dictate 10 selection

Former South Africa captain John Smit doesn't believe Ireland's coaches should be fixated on "physicality" in selecting their side for this weekend's Quilter Nations Series meeting with the Springboks at Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 10 hrs

Arsenal's Katie McCabe tussles for possession with Real Madrid midfielder Caroline Weir

Updated Arsenal hit back to beat Real, United suffer first loss

Alessia Russo's second-half brace earned Arsenal a 2-1 comeback win over Real Madrid while Manchester United fell to a first Women's Champions League defeat after losing 5-2 at Wolfsburg.

Soccer • 2 hrs

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 13: Ronnie O’Sullivan and Shaun Murphy interact during the Semi-Final match between Ronnie O’Sullivan and Shaun Murphy on day seven of the MrQ Masters Snooker 2024 at Alexandra Palace on January 13, 2024 in London, England. (Phot

Murphy whitewashes O'Sullivan in Saudi Arabia

Ronnie O'Sullivan was whitewashed 4-0 by Shaun Murphy to fall at the first hurdle in the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship.

Snooker • 5 hrs

Achraf Hakimi starred in Paris Saint-Germain's run to the Champions League trophy

PSG's Hakimi named African Footballer of the Year

Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi was named African Footballer of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat on Wednesday, the first defender to claim the prize in 52 years as he finished ahead of Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen in the voting.

Soccer • 3 hrs

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 • 16 hrs

15 November 2025; A general view before the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

IRFU insists finances 'robust' despite €4.2m deficit

Irish Rugby chief executive Kevin Potts believes the IRFU is in a "robust" financial position, despite reporting a deficit of €4.2m for the 2024/25 season.

Rugby • 7 hrs

Former Leinster prop Ala'alatoa to join Munster

Munster have made a mid-season dip into the transfer market, confirming the signing of veteran prop Michael Ala'alatoa until the end of the season.

United Rugby Championship • 14 hrs

PARIS, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 05: Franco Mostert of South Africa looks on during the South African national men's rugby team training session at Insep Fields on November 05, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Franco Arland - Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Springboks given boost as Mostert red card overturned

South Africa have received a major boost ahead of Saturday's huge Quilter Nations Series meeting with Ireland in Dublin, after a disciplinary committee overturned Franco Mostert's controversial red card against Italy last weekend.

Rugby • 15 hrs

CARDIFF, WALES - NOVEMBER 18: Harry Wilson of Wales scores his team's sixth goal and his hat-trick goal from the penalty spot during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Wales and North Macedonia at Cardiff City Stadium on November 18, 2025 in

Home advantage huge for Wales' World Cup hopes - Wilson

Harry Wilson says Wales are confident of beating anyone at home in the World Cup play-offs, with the Republic of Ireland one of their possible opponents next March.

Soccer • 10 hrs

11 August 2024; Lara Gillespie of Team Ireland during the women's omnium points race at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines National Velodrome during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Work to begin on velodrome and badminton facility

Construction on a national velodrome and a badminton centre will begin early next year at the Sport Ireland Campus in Abbotstown, it has been confirmed.

Cycling • 13 hrs

Seamus Coleman, left, Liam Scales, centre, and Troy Parrott of Republic of Ireland in the dressing room after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F Qualifier match between Hungary and Republic of Ireland at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary.

Ireland placed in Pot 3 for World Cup qualifier draw

The Republic of Ireland will face either Poland, Wales, Czechia or Slovakia in the World Cup 2026 qualifier in March.

Soccer • 13 hrs

Curaçao players and fans celebrate World Cup 2026 qualification after a 0-0 draw with Jamaica

Curacao become smallest nation to qualify for World Cup

Dutch Caribbean island Curacao has become the smallest nation by population to qualify for a World Cup after salvaging a 0-0 draw with Jamaica on the final day of CONCACAF qualifying.

Soccer • 2 hrs

Bangladesh seize second Test initiative against Ireland

Bangladesh had the better of the opening day of the second Test against Ireland in Mirpur.

Cricket • 13 hrs

Barry Walsh could bridge the gap to inter-county senior level next season, after an impressive 2025 with the Rebels under-20 side

Walsh set to take another big step and leap into 2026

In Killeagh, they had long been waiting in anticipation for Cork Under-20 Barry Walsh to make his senior debut.

Hurling • 3 hrs

26 July 2025; James Ryan of British & Irish Lions is tackled by Carlo Tizzano of Australia during the second test match between Australia and the British & Irish Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Steve Christo/Sportsf

'Proud' Lion Ryan ready for Springboks

Ahead of Saturday's November international against South Africa, Ireland lock James Ryan was happy to reflect on his successful summer tour with the British and Irish Lions.

Rugby • 16 hrs

Republic of Ireland players stand for the playing of Amhrán na bhFiann before the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup Round of 16 match between Switzerland and Republic of Ireland at Aspire Zone in Doha, Qatar

O'Brien: They've represented the flag with distinction

Republic of Ireland Under-17s boss Colin O'Brien said his young players had "represented the flag with distinction" after their World Cup adventure came to an end in Qatar.

Soccer • 16 hrs

Scott McTominay celebrates Scotland's fourth goal against Denmark

Whirlwind finish secures Scotland World Cup spot

Stunning goals by substitutes Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean in added time gave Scotland a momentous 4-2 win over Denmark to book the Scots their place at the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998.

Soccer • 18 Nov

DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 18: Adrien Llukes of Switzerland celebrates with team mates after scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Round of 16 match between Switzerland and Republic of Ireland at Aspire Academy on November 18, 2025

Ireland bow out of U-17 World Cup after defeat to Swiss

The Republic of Ireland's Under-17 World Cup adventure came to an end on a humid evening in Doha after Colin O'Brien's side were beaten 3-1 by Switzerland in their last-16 tie.

Soccer • 18 Nov

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Kieran Tierney of Scotland celebrates scoring his team's third goal with Steve Clarke, Head Coach of Scotland, and teammates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on No

Jubilant Clarke stunned by quality of Scotland goals

Steve Clarke was stunned by the quality of Scotland's goals as they sealed their place at next summer's World Cup with a dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark.

Soccer • 16 hrs

Gerard Sola scres his second, and Andorra's fourth goal, against Ireland in the European Championship Under-21 qualifier

Dismal Andorra defeat a hammer blow to U21 Euro hopes

With a feel-good factor sweeping through the country, Irish football was brought back down to earth as the Republic of Ireland were thrashed 4-0 by minnows Andorra in a hammer blow to ambitions of reaching the Under-21 2025 European Championships.

Soccer • 18 Nov

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All you need to know: Ireland's World Cup play-off draw

All-Ireland winner Meyler calls time on Tyrone career

O'Shea 'emotional' seeing the pride back home

Ireland rise to 59th in world but remain in Pot 3

High performance head coach Antia announces retirement

Smit: Physicality should not dictate 10 selection

Updated Arsenal hit back to beat Real, United suffer first loss

Murphy whitewashes O'Sullivan in Saudi Arabia

PSG's Hakimi named African Footballer of the Year

Ward backs Irish players' poppy stance

IRFU insists finances 'robust' despite €4.2m deficit

Former Leinster prop Ala'alatoa to join Munster

Springboks given boost as Mostert red card overturned

Home advantage huge for Wales' World Cup hopes - Wilson

Work to begin on velodrome and badminton facility

Ireland placed in Pot 3 for World Cup qualifier draw

Curacao become smallest nation to qualify for World Cup

Bangladesh seize second Test initiative against Ireland

Walsh set to take another big step and leap into 2026

'Proud' Lion Ryan ready for Springboks

O'Brien: They've represented the flag with distinction

Whirlwind finish secures Scotland World Cup spot

Ireland bow out of U-17 World Cup after defeat to Swiss

Jubilant Clarke stunned by quality of Scotland goals

Dismal Andorra defeat a hammer blow to U21 Euro hopes