Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw is gearing up for a massive play-off showdown

Pauw frustrated by 'strange' play-off scheduling

Vera Pauw admits that the Republic of Ireland could be left in play-off purgatory on Tuesday week, with victory against Scotland or Austria offering no guarantee that they will qualify for the World Cup.

Soccer • 01 Oct 22

Pauw sends 'full respect and love' to retiring Shine

Vera Pauw has sent her "full respect and love" to Clare Shine after the Republic of Ireland international stepped away from the game last week, aged 27.

Soccer • 30 Sep 22

Vera Pauw is hoping to lead Ireland to a first ever major tournament appearance

Fahey & Finn return as injuries disrupt Pauw's plans

Niamh Fahey and Jamie Finn are back in the Republic of Ireland squad for next month's World Cup play-off but Vera Pauw is without some important players for the crunch showdown.

Soccer • 30 Sep 22

Vera Pauw's side are edging towards World Cup qualification

'No fear' for Ireland as Pauw plots play-off plan

Vera Pauw believes that Ireland have been handed a very tough draw in the World Cup play-offs, however, the Republic of Ireland manager insists that her team have no fear travelling to either Austria or Scotland.

Soccer • 09 Sep 22

Women's World Cup 2023 play-offs draw - recap

Vera Pauw's Republic of Ireland team will take on either Austria or Scotland away from home with a place in the World Cup 2023 up for grabs.

Soccer • 09 Sep 22

Vera Pauw: 'The opponent was at times really nasty'

'Nasty' and 'ugly' but elated Pauw can't hide her pride

It was "nasty", "ugly" and "very physical", but neither Vera Pauw or Katie McCabe cared as the Republic of Ireland edged past Slovakia to book a pace in the second round of the World Cup play-offs in October.

Soccer • 06 Sep 22

Lily Agg's goal won the game for Ireland against Finland

First start for Agg as Pauw forced to reshuffle defence

Claire O'Riordan and Harriet Scott come into another reshuffled Republic of Ireland defence for this evening's clash in Slovakia, while Lily Agg earns a first competitive start after her match-winning contribution against Finland last Thursday.

Soccer • 06 Sep 22

Lucy Quinn celebrates the win over Finland that secured a World Cup play-off berth

Lucy Quinn: Irish mentality opening new doors

Republic of Ireland attacker Lucy Quinn can trace the side's sliding doors moment to a fixture that took place a year ago as they prepare for today's crucial World Cup qualifier against Slovakia.

Soccer • 06 Sep 22

Louise Quinn during Republic of Ireland training on the eve of the Slovakia clash

Louise Quinn: Stakes are too high for complacency

Louise Quinn says complacency will never be an issue for the Republic of Ireland because "there's too much to play for".

Soccer • 05 Sep 22

Vera Pauw was frustrated by the sight of some empty seats at Tallaght Stadium

Fans have responsibility to use their ticket, says Pauw

Vera Pauw has said Republic of Ireland supporters have a "responsibility" to use their tickets after empty seats were visible at last Thursday's clash with Finland, which had been billed as a sellout.

Soccer • 05 Sep 22

Ireland and Finland line up pre-match at Tallaght Stadium last November

Preview: Slovakia an awkward hurdle in play-off target

The mind-bending stew of possibilities around the World Cup play-offs has boiled right down for the Republic of Ireland: beat Slovakia this evening and they will go straight into round 2 on 11 October.

Soccer • 06 Sep 22

Ireland are looking forward to a huge autumn

Pieces fall into place for Ireland to chase the dream

Republic of Ireland boss Vera Pauw said the pieces have fallen into place for her team to make dreams reality in their quest to reach the World Cup finals.

Soccer • 04 Sep 22

Jamie Finn (L) and Heather Payne celebrating Ireland win against Finland

Payne says college won't affect play-off availability

Republic of Ireland striker Heather Payne insists her college commitments will not be an issue when the World Cup play-offs roll around in October.

Soccer • 05 Sep 22

England players celebrate Nikita Parris's goal in Vienna

England hand Ireland major play-off boost

England handed the Republic of Ireland a big World Cup qualifier boost on Saturday evening as their 2-0 win in Austria ensured the Girls in Green will progress to round 2 of the play-offs if they beat Slovakia on Tuesday.

Soccer • 03 Sep 22

Jessie Stapleton has been called into the Ireland squad

Stapleton and Atkinson drafted into Ireland squad

Shelbourne's Jessie Stapleton and West Ham United's Isibeal Atkinson have both been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad for Tuesday's World Cup qualifier clash in Slovakia.

Soccer • 02 Sep 22

Lily Agg heads home the winner at Tallaght Stadium

Agg blown away by 'a night I'll never forget'

Lily Agg said she's still pinching herself after heading home the goal that sealed the Republic of Ireland a place in the World Cup play-offs.

Soccer • 03 Sep 22

Denise O'Sullivan (L) embraces Katie McCabe at the final whistle

O'Sullivan says there's more to come from rising Irish

Denise O'Sullivan believes the Republic of Ireland have yet to reach the "pinnacle" of their capabilities after they sealed a place in the World Cup play-offs.

Soccer • 03 Sep 22

It was an emotional night at Tallaght Stadium

Floored by emotion, grounded by the challenges ahead

The Republic of Ireland soaked up an emotional win in Tallaght last night that sent them to the World Cup play-offs. But it didn't take long for the squad to reset their focus for the huge challenges still ahead.

Soccer • 02 Sep 22

'We need to win in Slovakia to get a chance to skip the first round'

Pauw: It's amazing but we're only halfway there

Ireland manager Vera Pauw was in jubilant mood following the team's advancement to the playoffs - but stressed they were only "halfway there" in their quest to reach a first ever World Cup.

Soccer • 01 Sep 22

Katie McCabe in the middle of the Irish huddle

Katie McCabe pays tribute to those who paved the way

Ireland captain Katie McCabe has paid tribute to those who have paved the way previously as their 1-0 win over Finland brought them a giant step closer to reaching a first-ever major tournament.

Soccer • 01 Sep 22

Lily Agg (l) and Courtney Brosnan celebrate after Ireland's 1-0 win

Super-sub Agg in dreamland after scoring Ireland winner

Irish goal-scoring hero Lily Agg said that she was in dreamland having sealed her side's progression to the 2023 World Cup play-off stage following their 1-0 win over Finland at Tallaght Stadium.

Soccer • 02 Sep 22

Republic of Ireland players mob Lily Agg after her winner

Ireland edge past Finland to make World Cup play-offs

The Republic of Ireland are into the World Cup play-offs after a nervy, scrappy 1-0 win against Finland in front of a record crowd at Tallaght Stadium.

Soccer • 01 Sep 22

Megan Campbell comes into the starting lineup

Campbell makes first Ireland start in three years

Republic of Ireland boss Vera Pauw has turned to Megan Campbell to fill the defensive void left by the injured Niamh Fahey for tonight's World Cup qualifier against Finland at Tallaght Stadium.

Soccer • 01 Sep 22

Former Ireland international Marie Curtin

Curtin backs team on 'slow incline' to beat Finland

Retired international Marie Curtin belives it has been a long route to this stage for Vera Pauw's team, but she expects them to get the job done as they welcome Finland to a sold-out Tallaght Stadium tonight.

Soccer • 01 Sep 22

Finland's interim manager Marko Saloranta

Finns say they're underdogs ahead of Dublin showdown

Finland's interim boss Marko Saloranta believes the Republic of Ireland's impressive improvement makes them favourites when the two countries meet at Tallaght Stadium on Thursday night.

Soccer • 31 Aug 22