Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

3 September 2025; Assistant head coach John O'Shea and assistant coach Paddy McCarthy, right, during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Players primed to step up and enjoy fast start - O'Shea

John O'Shea is expecting a freshness to the Ireland performance as they open their World Cup qualifying campaign against Hungary on Saturday.

Soccer • 03 Sep

3 June 2025; John Joe Patrick Finn during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

O'Shea hopes new faces will seize chance to stand out

John O'Shea is hoping for selection headaches and that the fringe players make their case for World Cup qualifying inclusion in the upcoming doubleheader against Senegal and Luxembourg.

Soccer • 04 Jun

3 June 2025; Assistant head coach John O'Shea, right, and goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ireland will benefit from Kelleher move says O'Shea

Caoimhin Kelleher was back training with the Ireland squad following a quick trip back to England on Monday regarding his club future.

Soccer • 03 Jun

John O'Shea and Heimir Hallgrimsson after the 2-1 win in Dublin

'Very good' communicator Heimir now winning matches

John O'Shea on the importance of manager Heimir Hallgrímsson communicating effectively to a Republic of Ireland squad which is now embracing that winning feeling again.

Soccer • 25 Mar

Troy Parrott catching up with Mikey Johnston and other Ireland squad members at training on Monday

O'Shea hoping in-form strikers can fire Ireland to win

John O'Shea is hoping that Ireland's in-form strikers can fire the national side to a UEFA Nations League play-off victory against Bulgaria.

Soccer • 18 Mar

Matt Doherty and John O'Shea at Monday's press conference

Doherty stands by comments but all good in Ireland camp

Matt Doherty has let his football do the talking in recent months, resulting in an extended run in the Wolves team, while securing a recall into the Ireland squad for this week's double-header against Bulgaria.

Soccer • 17 Mar

Josh Honohan in action during Shamrock Rovers' 1-0 win over St Pat's last Friday

Towell backs Honohan credentials for Ireland call-up

Richie Towell discusses the attributes of his former team-mate Josh Honohan as the Shamrock Rovers defender is tipped for a call-up to the Republic of Ireland provisional squad.

Soccer • 12 Mar

A centre-back by trade, Jake O'Brien has nailed down the starting right back role at Everton in recent weeks

O'Brien's Everton ascent 'brilliant to see' - O'Shea

Republic of Ireland assistant manager John O'Shea has heaped praise on Jake O'Brien for the way in which the Everton defender has overcome an early sticky patch to establish himself in the Toffees' starting line-up.

Soccer • 11 Mar

Heimir Hallgrimsson and assistant coach John O'Shea at Dalymount Park during last year's FAI Cup semi-final between Bohemians and Derry City

O'Shea: LOI 'definitely has to fit into' squad planning

Republic of Ireland assistant manager John O'Shea has insisted that the cream of the crop of League of Ireland players are very much in the thoughts of the Boys in Green management team.

Soccer • 10 Mar

John O'Shea interview and LOI call-ups for Ireland?

Republic of Ireland assistant manager John O'Shea speaks to Raf Diallo, Keith Treacy and Richie Towell talk about the Irish squad, potential LOI call-ups and the weekend's Premier Division, while Shelbourne's Rachel Graham and Anthony Pyne chat Saturday's big kick-off and an incoming action plan.

Soccer • 10 Mar

Sammie Szmodics is full of confidence heading into the Finland game

In-form Szmodics gets confidence kick for Ireland camp

Sammie Szmodics acrobatically arrived into Ireland camp this week after scoring in spectacular style for Ipswich in their victory over Tottenham on Sunday.

Soccer • 12 Nov 24

John O'Shea speaking to the media on Monday after training

No drama around Doherty recall as full focus on Finland

John O'Shea believes that Matt Doherty will add much-needed experience to the Ireland squad ahead of this week's doubleheader against Finland and England.

Soccer • 11 Nov 24

'Letting John do the media side of things and stuff has been good,' McGrath says

McGrath: Hallgrimsson 'smart' to give O'Shea some reins

Republic of Ireland legend Paul McGrath believes Heimir Hallgrimsson has been shrewd in letting his assistant John O'Shea take on a more front-facing role in the early part of his Boys in Green tenure.

Soccer • 09 Oct 24

Evan Ferguson came off the bench in the 2-0 defeats to England and Greece

Ferguson 'ready to go' as he aims to ignite season

Fit again striker Evan Ferguson is "ready to go" as he attempts to ignite both his own season and the Republic of Ireland's Nations League campaign in the coming days.

Soccer • 08 Oct 24

Sammie Szmodics and John O'Shea at a training session ahead of the upcoming double header

O'Shea: Comments around Irish players 'too derogatory'

Amid much negativity surrounding the Republic of Ireland squad, this after not qualifying for a major tournament since Euro 2016 and a somewhat underwhelming start to the Heimir Hallgrimsson reign, John O'Shea wants a bit more positivity when it comes to assessing the national team.

Soccer • 07 Oct 24

John O'Shea with the squad at training ahead of the Greece game

O'Shea: 'Bouncebackability' key for Ireland

John O'Shea expects Ireland to bounce back from their disappointing defeat to England as they welcome Greece to Dublin on Tuesday evening.

Soccer • 09 Sep 24

John O'Shea took the media duties ahead of the game with Greece

'The boss is the boss' - Players know who's in charge

John O'Shea faced a grilling at FAI headquarters this morning regarding who was currently in charge of the Ireland team, ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Nations League clash with Greece.

Soccer • 09 Sep 24

Evan Ferguson training on Wednesday in Dublin

'Evan will be ready' - O'Shea upbeat about star striker

John O'Shea expects Evan Ferguson will be ready to go for Ireland's highly anticipated UEFA Nations League opener on Saturday evening - when they go head-to-head with old foes England.

Soccer • 05 Sep 24

John O'Shea at the press conference on Wednesday morning

O'Shea not distracted by England sideshows

John O'Shea is not getting distracted by the several sideshows in play ahead of the opening UEFA Nations League clash with England on Saturday evening.

Soccer • 04 Sep 24

Heimir Hallgrimsson was at the Aviva Stadium for his first squad announcement

Hallgrimsson hopeful 'gamechanger' will emerge in squad

Heimir Hallgrimsson is looking for a 'gamechanger' to emerge in his Ireland team as the new manager takes the team into the upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign.

Soccer • 29 Aug 24

John O'Shea will continue to work in the Republic of Ireland coaching set-up

O'Shea agrees assistant role with Ireland

John O'Shea has been appointed assistant coach to Heimir Hallgrimsson in the Republic of Ireland managerial set-up, with Paddy McCarthy also staying on in the backroom team.

Soccer • 12 Aug 24

John O'Shea has managed Ireland in four friendlies in 2024

McMillan: Appointing O'Shea would be 'PR disaster'

Appointing John O'Shea as permanent manager at this stage would represent a 'PR disaster' for the FAI, according to former Dundalk striker David McMillan.

Soccer • 17 Jun 24

Edgy England, Euro 2024, LOI and split view on O'Shea

Keith Treacy and David McMillan join Raf Diallo to review the first three days of action from Euro 2024 including England's nervy start and preview the upcoming fixtures. They also share their diverging views on John O'Shea's potential Ireland candidacy and review the last round of LOI matches.