Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

5 highs and 5 lows for the Girls and Boys in Green

It was a rollercoaster year for the Republic of Ireland international teams - laced with difficult moments, graced with a few that will live long in the memory.

Soccer • 23 Dec

Yoane Wissa of Newcastle poses for a portrait during the official UEFA Champions League 2025/26 portrait session on September 16, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

DR Congo leave Wissa out of Africa Cup of Nations squad

Democratic Republic of Congo have omitted forward Yoane Wissa from their 26-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, with the forward having been out of action since October.

Soccer • 01 Dec

Bukayo Saka right winger of England and Arsenal FC competes for the ball with Daniel Carvajal right-back of Spain and Real Madrid during the UEFA EURO 2024 final match between Spain and England at Olympiastadion on July 14, 2024 in Berlin, Germany.

World Cup draw to keep big guns apart, Ireland in pot 4

England are among the big guns set to benefit from tennis-style seeding at next summer's World Cup, avoiding Spain and Argentina until the semi-finals and France until the final - if all those teams win their groups.

Soccer • 25 Nov

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 • 19 Nov

Nathan Collins of Republic of Ireland controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F Qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Portugal at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin

Player ratings: Parrott, Collins, O'Shea all excel

The Republic of Ireland enjoyed their best result in years as they beat Portugal 2-0 to revitalise their ambitions of making it to the World Cup. Here's how we rated the Boys in Green.

Soccer • 13 Nov

3 May 2020; A general view of the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Aviva Stadium to host seven games at Euro 2028

Dublin's Aviva Stadium will host seven games at Euro 2028, including a last-16 clash and a quarter-final.

Soccer • 12 Nov

11 October 2025; Festy Ebosele of Republic of Ireland before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Portugal and Republic of Ireland at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

All you need to know: Republic of Ireland v Portugal

Heimir Hallgrimsson's Republic of Ireland team are looking to cause a big shock against Portugal tonight in a bid to keep the World Cup qualifying campaign alive. Here's everything you need to know.

Soccer • 13 Nov

11 October 2025; Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Portugal and Republic of Ireland at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Hallgrimsson hoping for perfect Portugal performance

More of the same, will be what Heimir Hallgrimsson asks of his players when they take to the Lansdowne Road pitch next Thursday in a quest to keep their World Cup dream alive.

Soccer • 06 Nov

24 October 2025; Belgium goalkeeper Nicky Evrard gathers a ball ahead of Denise O’Sullivan and Ruesha Littlejohn of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA Women's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation play-off first leg match between Republic of Ireland an

Republic of Ireland v Belgium - All you need to know

The Republic of Ireland head to Leuven with promotion to League A in their own hands after a 4-2 first-leg win. Here's all you need to know for the return leg in Belgium.

Soccer • 28 Oct

Republic of Ireland equipment officer Barry Sanfey prepares the jersey of goalkeeper Grace Moloney in the dresingroom before the UEFA Women's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation play-off first leg match between Republic of Ireland and Belgium at the A

Team news: Moloney between the sticks, Mustaki starts

Grace Moloney starts in goal for the Republic of Ireland against Belgium tonight, with Chloe Mustaki getting the nod in defence off the back of her strong showing in June's friendlies in the USA.

Soccer • 24 Oct

Amber Barrett, left, and team-mates during a Republic of Ireland women training session at the Aviva Stadium

Preview: Ireland look to extinguish Red Flames at Aviva

The Republic of Ireland return to the Aviva Stadium for the first time in 10 months, aiming to take down Belgium in the first leg of their Nations League promotion/relegation play-off.

Soccer • 24 Oct

Silva praises Ireland's 'tough group of lads'

Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva praised the Republic of Ireland's "tough group of lads" as Roberto Martinez' side needed some late intervention to earn a 1-0 win in Lisbon.

Soccer • 12 Oct

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson

Portugal v Republic of Ireland - all you need to know

Heimir Hallgrimsson's Republic of Ireland team travel to Portugal, hoping to claim a shock result that could breath new life into their World Cup qualifying campaign. Here's everything you need to know.

Soccer • 10 Oct

Egypt's forward #20 Ibrahim Adel celebrates with forward #10 Mohamed Salah after scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Africa qualifier football match between Djibouti and Egypt at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca

Salah heading back to World Cup in latest Egypt chapter

Mohamed Salah underpinned his value to Egypt's cause with two sublime goals on Wednesday as they qualified for the World Cup, but his international career has had none of the success of his achievements at club level.

Soccer • 09 Oct

ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST - JANUARY 14: Roberto Carlos Lopes of Cape Verde prior to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations group stage match between Ghana and Cape Verde at on January 14, 2024 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/DeFodi Image

World Cup spot to go to finale for Cape Verde and Lopes

Roberto Lopes' Cape Verde must wait to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 3-3 draw with Libya in their penultimate qualification match this afternoon in Tripoli.

Soccer • 08 Oct

7 October 2025; James Abankwah during a Republic of Ireland U21's training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

All you need to know: Ireland U21 v Slovakia U21

Republic of Ireland face Slovakia in an important UEFA European Championship Under-21 qualifying clash in Cork.

Soccer • 10 Oct

Northern Ireland's head coach Michael O'Neill

O'Neill shuns limelight ahead of landmark Germany clash

Michael O'Neill will be paying no attention to his upcoming landmark as Northern Ireland boss as he focuses on gaining ground in their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Soccer • 08 Oct

Jordan Henderson of England looks on during an England Gym Session at St Georges Park on October 06, 2025

Henderson opens up on controversial Saudi Arabia move

Jordan Henderson likened leaving Liverpool to a break-up and says in hindsight he may have taken "different decisions" than choosing to make the controversial switch to Saudi Arabia.

Soccer • 08 Oct

22 August 2025; James McManus of Sligo Rovers during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Waterford and Sligo Rovers at the Regional Sports Centre in Waterford. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

Sligo pair and Ayinde called up to Ireland Under-21s

Republic of Ireland Under-21s head coach Jim Crawford has made three changes to his squad for their UEFA European Championship qualifier against Slovakia in Cork.

Soccer • 02 Oct

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring the team's third goal during the South American FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Argentina and Venezuela at Estadio Más Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on September 04, 2025 in Buenos Aires

Messi has dream home farewell, stays coy on World Cup

Lionel Messi bid an emotional farewell after playing his final competitive match for Argentina on home soil but has yet to make a decision on whether to play at the World Cup.

Soccer • 05 Sep

Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin

Bullish mood as Heimir Republic seeks to exit recession

After 14 months marked by steady progression and stellar diplomacy, the real business begins for Ireland's Icelandic supremo.

Soccer • 06 Sep

10 June 2025; The Republic of Ireland team stand for the national anthem before the U21 international friendly match between Qatar and Republic of Ireland at Gradski Stadion in Zagreb, Croatia. Photo by Gerry Scully/Sportsfile

Ireland Under-21 matches to be broadcast by RTÉ Sport

Republic of Ireland Under-21s' UEFA European Championship qualifiers in 2025 will be shown live by RTÉ Sport.

Soccer • 02 Sep

1 September 2025; Johnny Kenny during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Kenny called up to replace injured Parrott

Celtic striker Johnny Kenny has been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad to replace the injured Troy Parrott ahead of the opening World Cup qualifiers with Hungary and Armenia.

Soccer • 01 Sep

ALKMAAR, NETHERLANDS - AUGUST 10: Troy Parrott of AZ Alkmaar celebrates the fifth goal 4-1 with Mateo Chavez of AZ Alkmaar during the Dutch Eredivisie match between AZ Alkmaar v FC Groningen at the AFAS Stadium on August 10, 2025 in Alkmaar Netherlands (P

Parrott ruled out of crunch World Cup qualifiers

Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has been dealt a blow, with in-form attacker Troy Parrott ruled out of the crucial upcoming World Cup qualifier double-header against Hungary and Armenia.

Soccer • 29 Aug

New Zealand's centre Theresa Setefano dives to score a try during the Women’s Rugby World Cup pool C match between New Zealand and Spain at York Community Stadium, York, northern England, on August 24, 2025. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP)

Women's RWC wrap: Wins for New Zealand and South Africa

Champions New Zealand began the defence of their title with a 54-8 win over Spain at LNER Community Stadium in Women's Rugby World Cup Pool C.

Rugby • 24 Aug