Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Stephen Kenny has yet to win a game as Ireland boss but Paul Corry thinks we need to take a long-term view

Corry: No chance of World Cup for rebuilding Ireland

Paul Corry believes Ireland have no realistic chance of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup and that fans should accept it will be a campaign of development for Stephen Kenny's side.

Soccer • 25 Mar 21

Mark Travers can only watch Aleksandar Mitrovic's lob sail into the net to make it t2-1 to Serbia on the night

Poacher Mitrovic ranks Ireland lob as career best

Serbia striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was pleased how his team fought back to defeat the Republic of Ireland 3-2 in the World Cup qualifier in Belgrade.

Soccer • 25 Mar 21

Cullen finds reasons to be hopeful despite defeat

Republic of Ireland midfielder Josh Cullen believes that Ireland can take positives from their World Cup qualifying campaign defeat to Serbia and use the performance as a platform to build on.

Soccer • 25 Mar 21

Seamus Coleman: 'We wanted to come here and win the game'

'We could have stayed a bit braver' - Coleman

Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman says his side could have been a bit braver following the 3-2 loss to Serbia.

Soccer • 25 Mar 21

Ireland player ratings: Browne and Cullen impress

Ireland went down 3-2 to Serbia in their opening World Cup qualifier but there were plenty of reasons to be hopeful for the future. Here's how the Irish players rated.

Soccer • 25 Mar 21

Alan Browne opened the scoring against Serbia

Browne believes Ireland improving despite defeat

Goalscorer Alan Browne believes Ireland can take plenty of encouragement from their performance in defeat to Serbia.

Soccer • 24 Mar 21

Stephen Kenny: 'I think the players were terrific

Kenny bemoans absence of VAR after penalty call

Stephen Kenny bemoaned the absence of VAR after Ireland were denied a penalty in their 3-2 loss to Serbia.

Soccer • 25 Mar 21

Ireland scored twice but left Serbia with no points from their opening World Cup qualifier

Ireland undone by Mitrovic magic in Belgrade

Ireland's opening World Cup qualifier started in style but ended in agony as Serbia came from behind to deservedly beat Stephen Kenny's side 3-2 at Stadion Rajko Mitic.

Soccer • 24 Mar 21

World Cup 2022: Serbia 3-2 Republic of Ireland recap

The Republic of Ireland lost their first game of the World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign as they went down 3-2 in Serbia but there were plenty of positives to take from defeat. See how it all unfolded here.

Soccer • 24 Mar 21

Serbian FA president resigns after police questioning

On the eve of Ireland's opening 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Serbia in Belgrade on Wednesday, the hosts' football authorities have found themselves in turmoil, with the resignation of Serbian FA chief Slavisa Kokeza following allegations of links to organised crime which he denies.

international soccer • 24 Mar 21

Stephen Kenny and coach Keith Andrews look on as Ireland train at the Red Star Stadium ahead of their World Cup qualifying opener in Serbia

'Defensive and direct? No, on both counts' - Kenny

Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has no intention of ripping up the playbook ahead of his side's opening World Cup qualifier in Serbia on Wednesday night.

Soccer • 23 Mar 21

Ciaran Clark had given Shane Duffy his backing despite the Derry man's struggles at Celtic

Clark leaps to Duffy's defence

Ciaran Clark is backing Shane Duffy to prove his World Cup pedigree as the Republic of Ireland prepare to launch their campaign in Serbia.

Soccer • 23 Mar 21

"Next man in" - Mark Travers (right) looks set to start in Serbia due to injuries to Darren Randolph and Caoimhin Kelleher

Kenny's keeper conundrum a real cause for concern

Stephen Kenny named four goalkeepers, with an average age of 21, in the squad to begin the World Cup qualifying campaign; it is fair to say the future of Irish shot stopping is in safe hands.

Soccer • 22 Mar 21

Expect Aleksandar Mitrovic to figure for Serbia despite his struggles for top form

Why Serbia could be 'like a box of chocolates'

Serbian football journalist Nebojsa Markovic tells RTÉ Sport's Raf Diallo about what Stephen Kenny's Ireland can expect against the hosts in Wednesday's opening FIFA World Cup qualifier in Belgrade.

World Cup 2022 • 23 Mar 21

Ciaran Clark is a leading candidate to start for Ireland during this week's games

Clark eyeing 'advantage' of emptier Belgrade cauldron

Republic of Ireland defender Ciaran Clark recalls the 'hostile' atmosphere from the Boys In Green's last match in Belgrade and hopes that the lack of fans in the stadium on Wednesday will give him and his team-mates a slight advantage.

Soccer • 22 Mar 21

Ireland, Serbia and favourites Portugal are likely to battle for top spot

Paul Corry: Luckless Kenny needs four points this week

Paul Corry tells RTÉ's Morning Ireland that Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has had little luck since he took over the national team last year, but that the team needs to aim for four points from this week's qualifiers.

Soccer • 22 Mar 21

Alan Browne's last Ireland appearance was in the friendly against England at Wembley last October

Browne aiming to right wrongs of his Ireland past

Republic of Ireland midfielder Alan Browne says that his recent appearances have not warranted an international start, in his view, but is aiming to "put down a marker" in the World Cup qualifiers this week, while he also discusses the situation for Jayson Molumby at a Preston undergoing upheaval.

Soccer • 21 Mar 21

Dragan Stojkovic: 'We are aiming for nothing less than a maximum nine points'

Serbia may lose players ahead of Ireland showdown

Serbia's new manager Dragan Stojkovic has admitted he may have to plan for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland, Portugal and Azerbaijan this month without some players due to Covid-19 quarantines and restrictions.

Soccer • 19 Mar 21

Darren Randolph has been Ireland's first-choice keeper since 2015

Randolph to miss Ireland's World Cup clash with Serbia

The Republic of Ireland will be without regular goalkeeper Darren Randolph for their opening World Cup 2022 qualifier against Serbia later this month.

Soccer • 11 Mar 21

Milivojevic won't face Ireland after Serbia retirement

Crystal Palace midfielder Luka Milivojevic says he has decided to quit international football ahead of Republic of Ireland's 2022 World Cup qualifier against Serbia after the Balkan nation's new coach Dragan Stojkovic left him out of his 30-man squad.

Soccer • 07 Mar 21

Dragan Stojkovic has managed in Serbia, Japan and China

Stojkovic confirmed as Serbia boss ahead of Ireland tie

Former Yugoslavia midfielder Dragan Stojkovic has finally been confirmed as Serbia's new manager ahead of their World Cup 2022 qualification clash with Ireland on 24 March.

Soccer • 03 Mar 21