Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Jurgen Klopp will leave Liverpool in the summer after almost nine years

Departure of 'iconic' Klopp a shock - Houghton

Former Republic of Ireland and Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton says the news that "iconic figure" Jurgen Klopp is to step down as manager of the Merseysiders came as a shock.

Soccer • 26 Jan 24

Salvatore 'Toto' Schillaci in action against Ireland during that fateful summer

Schillaci and Houghton share their Italia 90 memories

Italia 90 cult hero Toto Schillaci and Ireland legend Ray Houghton join RTÉ's Game On to share memories of sharing the stage at that World Cup.

Soccer • 05 Jan 23

World Cup Podcast: Houghton on mega Messi's semi show

Ireland legend Ray Houghton joins Raf Diallo and Mikey Stafford to react to Argentina's 3-0 semi-final win over Croatia with Messi magic to the fore. He also previews France v Morocco and talks penalty techniques amid stark conversion stats in Qatar.

Soccer • 13 Dec 22

World Cup Podcast: Houghton on Brazil and the last-16

Ireland legend Ray Houghton joins Raf Diallo and Ed Leahy from Doha to watch Brazil vs Cameroon and Switzerland vs Serbia live, as well as reacting to Group H which saw South Korea qualify alongside Portugal. Houghton also previews Saturday's last-16 matches.

Soccer • 02 Dec 22

Klopp has been plotting a Liverpool return to form

Houghton: A 'different' Liverpool will face Ajax

Ray Houghton believes Liverpool will show signs of a revival when they take on Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday night in a match live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player from 7.30pm.

Soccer • 14 Sep 22

Ireland supporters celebrate Chiedozie Ogbene's goal against Belgium

Houghton: Irish players and fans feeding off each other

The Republic of Ireland must maintain their unbeaten run and build up more confidence within the squad after a difficult start under Stephen Kenny, says former international Ray Houghton.

Soccer • 29 Mar 22

Stephen Kenny enjoyed his third win as Ireland manager last night

Ray Houghton: Something has clicked for Ireland

Ray Houghton believes that the Republic of Ireland have finally found their feet under Stephen Kenny after two dominant performances in the space of four days.

Soccer • 13 Oct 21

Raheem Sterling opened England's account against the Germans

Duggan: England 'nothing to write home about so far'

RTÉ anaysts Karen Duggan and Ray Houughton have their say on England's functional style of play so far at a Euro 2020 tournament where Gareth Southgate's side have a real chance of making the final.

Euro 2020 • 30 Jun 21

Euro2020 Podcast: Houghton - Slow start not a bad start

Republic of Ireland legend Ray Houghton reflects on the opening round of matches at Euro 2020.

Euro 2020 • 16 Jun 21

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny

As a nation we have to get behind this team - Houghton

Ray Houghton believes the Republic of Ireland can be a force in a "wide open" Group A as long as they can get past Luxembourg in their World Cup qualifier clash in Dublin on Saturday night.

Soccer • 26 Mar 21

Jack Charlton at Dublin airport in February '86

When Ireland made history at the Iceland Triangular

Niall Quinn, Ray Houghton, Frank Stapleton and Jim Beglin speak to Raf Diallo about their memories of Ireland's win at the Iceland Triangular Tournament in 1986 as Jack Charlton won his first games as manager.

Soccer • 27 Mar 20

Ray Houghton in action for Liverpool in May 1989

Ray Houghton on secrets of Red machine & wait for title

Former Republic of Ireland international Ray Houghton recalls being involved in Liverpool's last league-winning team and ponders the comparisons to the current crop.

Soccer • 21 Mar 20

"Mick's a manager first and foremost. He talks about football all the time"

'Mick's not been on some island, he knows the issues'

Ray Houghton says Mick McCarthy believes he has 'unfinished business' with the Republic of Ireland and understands well the issues dogging the squad in the past year.

Soccer • 24 Nov 18

Mick McCarthy managed Ireland for six and a half years

Houghton: Mick McCarthy ticks a lot of boxes

Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Ray Houghton believes Mick McCarthy has a good chance of a second stint in the manager's seat after the departure of Martin O'Neill.

Soccer • 21 Nov 18

Ireland have just one win in their last 11 games

Houghton: Players must take responsibility for slump

Ray Houghton believes that the Republic of Ireland players need to take more responsibility for the current poor form and that not everything can be blamed on Martin O'Neill.

Soccer • 20 Nov 18

The Republic of Ireland line up before kick-off at Windsor Park in November 1993

One night in Windsor Park - 25 years on...

RTÉ Sport revisits one of the most volatile and tense nights in Irish soccer history, a quarter of a century on.

Soccer • 11 Nov 18

James McClean has been on the receiving end of an outlash from English football fans

Houghton: McClean right to be unhappy at treatment

Former Republic of Ireland international Ray Houghton believes James McClean "is in a no-win situation" as the fallout continues from his annual decision not to wear to wear a poppy on his jersey.

Soccer • 06 Nov 18

Ray Houghton (L) pictured with Kevin Moran celebrating victory

30 years on - Houghton puts the ball in the English net

It's the 30th anniversary of one of Irish soccer's most significant moments. We remember the goal that led to a glorious victory over old rivals England.

Soccer • 12 Jun 18

'What's at stake is a place in the final itself. That's where Liverpool want to be'

Houghton: 0-0 would not be a bad result for Liverpool

In looking ahead to Liverpool's clash with Roma in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, Ray Houghton placed great emphasis on Jurgen Klopp's side not conceding an away goal.

Soccer • 24 Apr 18

Evanne Ní Chuilinn and Des Cahill will be joined by some very special guests for tonight's finale

Vote for Ireland's Greatest Sporting Moment

Time for you to have your say on which of our four finalists deserves to be crowned Ireland's Greatest Sporting Moment of 1962-2012.

Other sport • 07 Dec 17

Cyrus Christie (2) has played 17 times for Ireland

Houghton: Green jersey what matters, not skin colour

Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Ray Houghton has called the online abuse of Cyrus Christie shameful and said representing the country has never been about a player's race.

Soccer • 21 Nov 17

Ireland's greatest sporting moment: The Eighties

The shortlist has been announced. Vote now for Ireland's Greatest sporting moment of the 1980s.

Other sport • 10 Nov 17

Roy Keane (L) and Martin O'Neill celebrate in Vienna

Ireland will evolve to keep ball better - Houghton

Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Ray Houghton believes Martin O'Neill's men will evolve and improve as a passing team, after they took control of Group D on the road to Russia 2018.

Soccer • 14 Nov 16

Georgia dominated for long spells against Ireland

Ireland will improve on road to Russia - Houghton

Ray Houghton believes that Ireland are going through a transitional period and that performances will improve over the course of their World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign.

Soccer • 20 Oct 16

Wes Hoolahan scored an excellent opener against Sweden

Houghton: Ireland need to beat Belgium or Italy

Ray Houghton hailed the Republic of Ireland’s performance against Sweden last night, but believes a victory is required against Belgium or Italy in order to reach the knockout stages of Euro 2016.

Euro 2016 • 14 Jun 16