Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Cyprus took a shock 2-0 lead at Windsor Park

Northern Ireland scramble draw at home to Cyprus

Jonny Evans struck in stoppage time to rescue a 2-2 draw for Northern Ireland at home to Cyprus but only after some fans had repeated their calls for manager Ian Baraclough to go.

Soccer • 12 Jun 22

Baraclough vows to win Northern Ireland fans back

Ian Baraclough has insisted Northern Ireland are on the right track despite hearing an angry reaction to Thursday's 3-2 defeat in Kosovo as travelling fans called on him to go.

Soccer • 10 Jun 22

Vedat Muriqi bagged a brace for the hosts

Northern Ireland's woes continue with loss to Kosovo

Northern Ireland's Nations League despair grew deeper as they fell to a 3-2 defeat to Kosovo in Pristina which caused some fans to openly turn on Ian Baraclough.

Soccer • 09 Jun 22

Loizos Loizou looks an exceptionally bright prospect for Cyprus

Northern Ireland and Cyprus play out stalemate

Northern Ireland must hope it is 13th time lucky in the Nations League as their latest outing ended in a drab 0-0 draw against Cyprus.

Soccer • 05 Jun 22

Tasos Bakasetas of Greece scores their side's winning goal

Northern Ireland still without a Nations League win

Northern Ireland's wait for a Nations League victory goes on after their campaign began with yet another dispiriting result as Ian Baraclough's side were beaten 1-0 at home by Greece.

Soccer • 02 Jun 22

Ian Baraclough is concerned by his players' schedule

Baraclough warns player workload will lead to injuries

Ian Baraclough has warned of the dangers facing fatigued players as Northern Ireland prepare to play four Nations League games in the space of 10 days.

Soccer • 27 May 22

Kyle Lafferty impressed at Kilmarnock after returning from Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta in January

Lafferty returns to Northern Ireland squad

Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough says Kyle Lafferty deserves his international recall at the age of 34 after helping Kilmarnock into the cinch Premiership.

Soccer • 27 May 22

Rhys McClenaghan had hoped to compete for Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games

Rhys McClenaghan appeals to FIG over Commonwealth ban

Rhys McClenaghan has made a direct appeal to the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) to allow him to compete at the Commonwealth Games for Northern Ireland.

Athletics • 27 May 22

Viaplay win rights to NI, Wales and Scotland qualifiers

Scottish Football Association chief executive Ian Maxwell has welcomed the new media deal which will see Viaplay broadcast Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland men's national team matches from 2024 until 2028

Soccer • 27 Apr 22

Northern Ireland players show support for Shiels

Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan has spoken up in support of manager Kenny Shiels after his post-match comments caused controversy this week.

Soccer • 14 Apr 22

Kenny Shiels was speaking after Northern Ireland's defeat to England

Updated Shiels blames goal on women being 'more emotional'

Northern Ireland boss Kenny Shiels claimed second goals in women's football come soon after the first because "women are more emotional than men".

Soccer • 13 Apr 22

Lauren Hemp celebrates England's third goal

Northern Ireland humbled by England in Belfast

Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway each bagged a brace as England moved to the brink of qualifying for the 2023 Women's World Cup with a comprehensive 5-0 win in Northern Ireland.

Soccer • 12 Apr 22

Rachel Furness came close to scoring an early goal

Northern Ireland dealt World Cup blow in Austria

Northern Ireland were dealt a blow to their 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying hopes after a 3-1 defeat against Austria in Wiener Neustadt.

Soccer • 08 Apr 22

Hungary celebrate Roland Sallai's winner

McGinn mistake helps Hungary edge out Northern Ireland

Hungary capitalised on a mistake from Niall McGinn to edge out Northern Ireland 1-0 at Windsor Park.

Soccer • 29 Mar 22

Johnston's goal brought Northern Ireland back into the match

Slovakia take all three points against Northern Ireland

A late penalty condemned Northern Ireland Under-21s to a 2-1 defeat in their Euro 2023 qualifier away to Slovakia on Friday.

Soccer • 25 Mar 22

Jonny Evans is back in the Northern Ireland squad

Jonny Evans ready to make most of unexpected return

Jonny Evans is determined to make the most of his unexpected return to the Northern Ireland squad for Friday's friendly against Luxembourg.

Soccer • 24 Mar 22

Kirsty McGuinness saw an effort comeback off the woodwork

Northern Ireland beaten by Romania in friendly

Northern Ireland suffered a 1-0 defeat to Romania in their friendly in Marbella.

Soccer • 23 Feb 22

Sarah McFadden: "I think a lot of us would have retired a lot longer ago if Kenny hadn't come in."

Northern Ireland's McFadden talks up the Shiels effect

Northern Ireland star Sarah McFadden has credited ex-Derry City boss Kenny Shiels with extending her international career thanks to the success he has brought since taking over in 2019.

Soccer • 16 Feb 22

Hazard is currently the third choice netminder at Celtic Park

Loan move to HJK Helsinki for Celtic keeper Hazard

Celtic goalkeeper Conor Hazard has joined Finnish side HJK Helsinki on a year-long loan deal.

Soccer • 19 Jan 22

Ian Baraclough's side have two games in March to prepare for the Nations League

Northern Ireland confirm March friendly in Luxembourg

Northern Ireland will travel to play Luxembourg in a friendly in March as part of their preparations for the Nations League campaign that starts this summer.

Soccer • 12 Jan 22

Northern Ireland will compete in this summer's Euros.

Northern Ireland start full-time camp to prep for Euros

A camp that will see non-professional Northern Ireland players train full-time ahead of this summer's Women's Euros has kicked off in Belfast.

Soccer • 07 Jan 22

Stephen Kenny believes that his Republic of Ireland side can top their group in the Nations League

How does it work? The Nations League draw explained

The draw for the third UEFA Nations League will take place in Switzerland on Thursday.

Soccer • 15 Dec 21

Two more years for the former Sligo Rovers manager

Baraclough backed to lead Northern Ireland to Euro 2024

Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough has signed a two-year contract extension, the Irish Football Association has announced.

Soccer • 15 Dec 21

It was a big night for Northern Ireland player Rachel Furness

Furness makes history as Northern Ireland run riot

Rachel Furness claimed a brace to make history as Northern Ireland boosted their hopes of qualification for the 2023 Women's World Cup with a crushing 9-0 win over North Macedonia in Belfast.

Soccer • 29 Nov 21

Steve Davis holds off the challenge of Italy's Nicolo Barella during the draw at Windsor Park

Baraclough: Italy draw shows we can compete

Ian Baraclough believes Monday's draw with European champions Italy shows his Northern Ireland side can be a match for anybody but has warned his players they cannot afford to let standards slip.

Soccer • 17 Nov 21