Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Mai Traore (right) will spend the first five months of the League of Ireland season with Sligo Rovers

LOI transfers: Guinean striker Traore joins Sligo

Guinean striker Mai Traore has joined Sligo Rovers on loan from English League Two side Notts County until the end of June.

Soccer • 18 Jan

Northern Ireland , United Kingdom - 17 January 2026; New Derry City signing James McClean, centre, with Chairman Philip O’Doherty, left, and manager Tiernan Lynch during a media event in Derry. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

McClean agrees deal to return to Derry City

James McClean has left English Championship club Wrexham and made a sensational return to Derry City on a multi–year deal.

Soccer • 17 Jan

Dana Scheriff of Athlone Town celebrates with the FAI Cup following the Sports Direct FAI Women's Cup Final match between Athlone Town and Shelbourne at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin

Scheriff returns to Athlone Town to fill Brady void

Athlone Town have been given a major pre-season boost after confirming striker Dana Scheriff has returned to the club for the new SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division campaign.

Soccer • 17 Jan

Patrick McClean of Sligo Rovers during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.

LOI transfers: McClean leaves Sligo to rejoin Derry

Derry City have completed the signing of defender Patrick McClean from Sligo Rovers on a two-year deal.

Soccer • 16 Jan

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 15: Paul Walters #25 of FC Cincinnati 2 before a game between FC Cincinnati 2 and New England Revolution II at Gillette Stadium on June 15, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos/ISI Phot

Bohs sign MLS keeper Walters in loan deal

Bohemians have signed FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Paul Walters on a season-long loan.

Soccer • 15 Jan

4 July 2025; Rob Cornwall of Bohemians during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between St Patrick's Athletic and Bohemians at Richmond Park in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

LOI transfers: Dundalk snap up ex-Bohs man Cornwall

Dundalk have landed one of their big targets of the transfer window with former Bohemians defender Rob Cornwall joining for the 2026 season.

Soccer • 13 Jan

26 October 2025; Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty after his side conceded a first goal, scored by Brandon Fleming of Derry City, not pictured, during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Derry City and Shamrock Rovers at The Ryan M

How can LOI clubs find more goals in 2026?

Goals have been harder to find in what is a very competitive Premier Division in recent years. Here, Game of Two Halves delve into where each side needs to improve in 2026.

Soccer • 18 Jan

LOI transfers: Bohemians sign Burke from Waterford

Defender Ryan Burke has returned to Bohemians after spending the last three seasons at Waterford, while Drogheda United have signed American wing-back Jason Bucknor ahead of the new season.

Soccer • 12 Jan

Barry Robson before a William Hill Premiership match between Rangers and Aberdeen at Ibrox Stadium, on January 06, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Alan Harvey/SNS Group via Getty Images)

Former Aberdeen boss Robson takes charge of Cork City

Cork City have named former Aberdeen and Raith Rovers manager Barry Robson as the club's new first team boss.

Soccer • 12 Jan

Kelly Brady of Athlone Town celebrates with the cup after the 2025 Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup Final match between Athlone Town and Bohemians at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin

Brady completes switch to Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace have snapped up Athlone Town striker Kelly Brady on a free transfer.

Soccer • 11 Jan

Ongoing Oriel Park works mean Derry fixture reversal

The League of Ireland has agreed to a fixture reversal between Dundalk and Derry City due to ongoing works at Oriel Park.

Soccer • 08 Jan

9 November 2025; Sean Kavanagh of Shamrock Rovers during the 2025 Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup Final match between Shamrock Rovers and Cork City at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Kavanagh retires to become coach at Shamrock Rovers

Seán Kavanagh has retired as a player to join Stephen Bradley's staff at Shamrock Rovers ahead of the 2026 season.

Soccer • 07 Jan

LOI transfers: Lomboto and Kazeem return to Galway

Francely Lomboto and Al-Amin Kazeem are back with Galway United for the new season as John Caulfield attempts to offset some big departures from Eamonn Deacy Park.

Soccer • 07 Jan

Sunderland manager Simon Grayson during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland and Bolton Wanderers at Stadium of Light on October 31, 2017 in Sunderland, England

Cork City appoint Grayson as advisor to the board

Cork City have appointed former Leeds United, Preston North End and Sunderland manager Simon Grayson as an "advisor to the board".

Soccer • 06 Jan

Lewis Temple of Shelbourne after the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 league phase match between Shelbourne and Crystal Palace at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin

LOI transfers: Shels defender Temple joins Bolton

Shelbourne defender Lewis Temple has completed a move to League One side Bolton Wanderers.

Soccer • 06 Jan

Danny Mullen of Derry City before the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Derry City and Bohemians at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry.

LOI transfers: Dundalk sign ex-Derry striker Mullen

Dundalk have strengthened their squad ahead of their return to the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division with the addition of Scottish striker Danny Mullen.

Soccer • 02 Jan

Conor Kearns has agreed a loan move to promoted Dundak

LOI transfers: Kearns departs Shels for Dundalk loan

Dundalk have added more experience to their squad by bringing in goalkeeper Conor Kearns on a season-long loan deal from Shelbourne

Soccer • 02 Jan

New coaching role for Nash at Swedish champions Mjallby

Former Cork City boss Ger Nash has been appointed assistant coach at Swedish champions Mjallby.

Soccer • 30 Dec 25

Former FAI president Michael Hyland dies

Former Football Association of Ireland president Michael Hyland has died.

Soccer • 30 Dec 25

16 May 2025; Kerry manager Colin Healy, left, shakes hands with Wexford manager Stephen Elliott before the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division match between Kerry and Wexford at Mounthawk Park in Tralee, Kerry. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

A-Z of the League of Ireland First Division in 2025

An A-Z of the highs and lows of the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division during the 2025 season.

Soccer • 31 Dec 25

John Mahon has made the move to Waterford

LOI transfers: Mahon follows McLaughlin to Waterford

Waterford have added a second major signing in as many days, with defender John Mahon moving to the RSC from Sligo Rovers.

Soccer • 28 Dec 25

Cork City boss Nash steps down in shock move

Cork City's preparations for the new season have been rocked with the news that manager Ger Nash has stepped down with immediate effect.

Soccer • 23 Dec 25

Shels will hope to mount a title challenge in 2026

Shels bring in Swedish midfielder Lundgren

Shelbourne have completed the signing of Swedish midfielder Maill Lundgren from Degerfors IF for an undisclosed fee.

Soccer • 23 Dec 25

16 February 2025; Lys Mousset of Bohemians in action against Adam Matthews of Shamrock Rovers during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

LOI Premier Division attendances rise by 8% in 2025

Overall attendances at League of Ireland Premier Division matches rose by 8% in 2025, with over 1.1 million people attending matches involving League of Ireland teams in Ireland this year.

Soccer • 22 Dec 25

FAI National League to feature at least 15 clubs

The Football Association of Ireland has revealed that 15 clubs have been admitted to the new FAI National League, with the prospect of that number growing ahead of an extended deadline in January.

Soccer • 19 Dec 25