Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

A supporter of Benfica throws a bottle of drink at Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid while hes about to take the corner during the UEFA Champions League match between Benfica v Real Madrid at the Estadio Da Luz on February 17, 2026 in Lisbon Portugal (Photo

Real Madrid win on an ugly evening in Benfica

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior scored a superb second-half goal ⁠to secure a 1-0 victory at Benfica in their Champions League play-off first leg in a match overshadowed by an alleged racist incident that led to an 11-minute stoppage.

Soccer • 17 Feb

Head coach Carla Ward speaks to the media during a Republic of Ireland women squad announcement at the FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin

Ward says Israel debate is for the FAI, not coaches

Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward said herself and Heimir Hallgrimsson have to focus on "the football side" of their respective jobs as the debate swirls around whether the Boys in Green should fulfil their Nations League fixture against Israel in the autumn.

Soccer • 17 Feb

A cricket fan carrying an umbrella walks past the covered pitch as rain delays the start of the 2026 ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup group stage match between Zimbabwe and Ireland at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on February 17, 2026. (

Rain ends Ireland's campaign in Cricket World Cup

Ireland are out of the Twenty20 Cricket World Cup after their match with Zimbabwe was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain in Pallekele.

Cricket • 17 Feb

Irish language commentators Pat Fleury and Garry Mac Donncha at Croke Park

RTÉ expands Irish-language coverage of soccer and rugby

RTÉ has announced it will expand its Irish-language commentary on major international rugby and soccer fixtures.

Soccer • 17 Feb

BORMIO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 16: Cormac Comerford of Team Ireland competes during the Men's Slalom Run on day ten of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Stelvio Alpine Skiing Centre on February 16, 2026 in Bormio, Italy. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Ge

Comerford shows his mettle to end 31st in slalom

Ireland's Cormac Comerford produced a very creditable performance in the men's slalom at the Winter Olympics, coming home in 31st place from a starting field of 96.

Other sport • 16 Feb

14 February 2026; Edwin Edogbo of Ireland after the Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

IRFU investigating 'cowardly' racist abuse of Edogbo

The IRFU is investigating "cowardly" racist abuse directed at Edwin Edogbo following his international debut.

Rugby • 16 Feb

Former Republic of Ireland squad kit manager Charlie O'Leary after watching the broadcast of Jack Charlton’s funeral service, in West Road Crematorium, at his home in Dublin. The former Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton lead the Republic of Irelan

Charlie at 102: 'Troy Parrott brought it all back'

Ahead of the release of a new documentary on his life and career, Charlie O'Leary spoke to RTÉ Sport about his gratitude for so many golden memories - and his hope that the Boys in Green are about to make more.

Soccer • 15 Feb

Robert Baloucoune of Ireland, 14, celebrates with teammate James Lowe, left, and Jamison Gibson-Park after scoring their side's third try during the Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Bench boost sees Ireland secure nervy win over Italy

Ireland scored three tries as they held on for a hard-fought 20-13 Six Nations victory over Italy in Dublin.

Rugby • 16 Feb

14 February 2026; Joe McCarthy of Ireland tussles with Danilo Fischetti of Italy during the Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Six Nations: Ireland 20-13 Italy - recap

Ireland are looking to bounce back from their loss in Paris as the Italians come to town for round two of the Six Nations. Follow the action here.

Rugby • 14 Feb

6 September 2025; Republic of Ireland supporters make their feelings know as they protest against Israel before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Republic of Ireland and Hungary at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzger

FAI caught between grassroots rock and UEFA hard place

Sport and politics have never been more intertwined and the FAI will be walking a diplomatic tightrope over Israel this autumn, writes Tony O'Donoghue.

Soccer • 13 Feb

23 March 2025; John Maher of Galway and Seán O'Brien of Kerry contest a kickout during the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Galway and Kerry at Pearse Stadium in Galway. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Kerry in serene mood as resilient Galway come to town

It'd be hard to describe this evening's Kerry-Galway Allianz Football League match as a repeat of the widely feted 2022 All-Ireland final, given the stakes are drastically lower and at least one of the leading men from that afternoon will be absent.

Football • 14 Feb

13 October 2024; Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson is seen through a television broadcast camera view finder as he speaks to media before the UEFA Nations League B Group 2 match between Greece and Republic of Ireland at Georgios Karaiskak

RTÉ confirms it will broadcast Ireland-Israel games

RTÉ has confirmed it will broadcast the Republic of Ireland's Nations League games against Israel, should the ties proceed.

Soccer • 13 Feb

13 February 2026; The team huddle during an Ireland Rugby captain's run at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Farrell has done his talking, now for players to react

A new-look Ireland side need to react to defeat to France as Italy come looking for a first Six Nations win in Dublin, writes Michael Glennon.

Rugby • 14 Feb

Troy Parrott, left, and Johnny Kenny of Republic of Ireland during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F Qualifier match between Hungary and Republic of Ireland at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary.

Dates for Ireland's Nations League fixtures revealed

The Republic of Ireland will begin their Nations League campaign with away fixtures against Kosovo and Israel in September.

Soccer • 13 Feb

4 June 2005; Kevin Kilbane, Republic of Ireland, in action against Saban Klemi, Israel. FIFA 2006 World Cup Qualifier, Republic of Ireland v Israel, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Picture credit; Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE

Ireland to face Israel in upcoming Nations League

The Republic of Ireland will play Israel in 2026-2027 UEFA Nations League as well as matches with Austria and Kosovo.

Soccer • 12 Feb

The UEFA Nations League trophy is seen prior to the UEFA Nations League 2026/28 League Phase Draw at Brussels Expo on February 12, 2026 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Harry Murphy - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Ireland drawn with Israel in Nations League - recap

Heimir Hallgrimsson's Republic of Ireland learned their fate for the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League with matches against Israel, Austria and Kosovo to come. Read here.

Soccer • 12 Feb

10 February 2026; Cormac Izuchukwu during an Ireland Rugby squad training session at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Six changes for Ireland with Ulster pair to make 6N bow

Andy Farrell has made six changes to his starting XV for the visit of Italy, with Ulster pair Robert Baloucoune and Cormac Izuchukwu in line for Six Nations debuts.

Rugby • 12 Feb

Jim Ratcliffe believes it is important 'to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth'

Ratcliffe sorry immigrant comments 'offended people'

Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe says he is sorry if he has "offended some people" by saying the United Kingdom has been "colonised by immigrants".

Soccer • 12 Feb

Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych takes part in the skeleton men's training session at Cortina Sliding Centre

Ukraine's Heraskevych banned over helmet marking war

Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladylsav Heraskevych has been disqualified from the Winter Olympics due to his helmet, which features pictures of people killed in the war with Russia.

Olympics • 12 Feb

BRAGA, PORTUGAL - JANUARY 22: Sean Dyche, Manager of Nottingham Forest, looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between SC Braga and Nottingham Forest FC at Estadio Municipal de Braga on January 22, 2026 in Braga, Portugal.

Dyche sacked by Forest after goalless draw with Wolves

Nottingham Forest are looking for their fourth head coach of a turbulent season after sacking Sean Dyche.

Soccer • 12 Feb

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Manager Thomas Frank of Tottenham Hotspur reacts during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/M

Frank sacked by Spurs, Redknapp willing to step in

Tottenham have sacked head coach Thomas Frank after the side's worrying form saw them slide towards the Premier League relegation zone.

Soccer • 11 Feb

Ukrainian Olympian vows to wear banned helmet

Ukrainian Vladyslav Heraskevych will not be allowed to wear a "helmet of remembrance" in honour of those killed in the war with Russia in the skeleton competition at the Winter Games, the International Olympic Committee said on Tuesday.

Olympics • 10 Feb

Lindsey Vonn reacts during an official training for the women's downhill event during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina d’Ampezzo on February 7, 2026

Vonn defiant as she prepares for 'multiple surgeries'

Lindsey Vonn insists she has "no regrets" following the crash at the women's downhill in the Winter Olympics which leaves her facing "multiple surgeries".

Olympics • 10 Feb