International Soccer

'As long as I'm needed, I'll play' - Jon Walters vows to help Ireland qualify for Euro 2020 

Jon Walters has confirmed that he will continue to make himself available for the Republic of Ireland.

'It had nothing to do about feeling English or Irish' - Reading midfielder Liam Kelly breaks silence 

Reading midfielder Liam Kelly has confirmed he is still open to an international career with Ireland despite refusing to join up with Martin O'Neill's...

Football focus paying dividends: Ex-Donegal star Barrett is Ireland's new hero, but it's been a steep learning curve 

Amber Barrett is a breath of fresh air. When we meet, her face is full of smiles and bursting...

FIFA urged to bring forward 48-team World Cup to 2022 

FIFA have been asked to make the 2022 World Cup in Qatar a 48-team event.

FIFA asked to expand World Cup to a 48-team tournament in 2022 - report 

FIFA have been asked to expand the number of teams that will qualify for the 2022 World Cup from 32 to 48, in a move that could boost the Republic of Ireland's hopes of qualifying.

Dutch class puts Ireland to sword 

This was a challenging evening for Colin Bell's Ireland.

Courageous Ireland challenge not enough as dominant Dutch take control of World Cup qualifying group in Tallaght 

THIS was a challenging evening for Colin Bell's Ireland.

Live Republic of Ireland 0 Netherlands 2 as it happened: European champions prove too strong for brave Irish at Tallaght Stadium 

Lineth Beerensteyn's first half header and a dubious Sherida Spitse penalty gave Netherlands a 2-0...

'Holland are currently the best team in the world' - Record attendance expected as Irish women's team face the Dutch 

Four years to the week on from giving the then reigning European champions Germany a scare,...

Slingshot ride to World Cup will do trick for Connolly 

She's made headlines for finding the going tough 300 feet in the air but Megan Connolly would much prefer to be known for helping Ireland elevate to next year's women's World Cup.

Stand-off galvanised Ireland team, says Quinn 

There's something calm about Louise Quinn. Standing in the tunnel after her side's dramatic 2-1 victory over Slovakia, the towering defender's eyes are sparkling with pride, but she is relaxed and...

Amber Barrett is the hero as Ireland keep their World Cup dream alive with a win against Slovakia 

SUBSTITUTE Amber Barrett kept Ireland’s dream alive of reaching next year’s women's World Cup by firing in the winner four minutes from the end...

Kind draw for O'Brien's Irish U-17 charges 

Ireland's U-17 side have been drawn alongside Bosnia, Denmark and Belgium in Group C for next month's European Championships.

The world awaits as Colin Bell sounds battle cry ahead of crunch Slovakia clash 

After applying a serious approach to the job, Colin Bell feels his Ireland women's team are finally being taken seriously by the superpowers of European...

Katie McCabe adamant 'situation' within Ireland camp is not a distraction 

AHEAD of the most significant week in the history of Irish women’s football, both manager Colin Bell and Katie McCabe insist there are no off-field...

Colin Bell names squad for crucial World Cup double header 

Ireland women's team boss Colin Bell has named a 22-player squad for the crucial World Cup double header against Slovakia and the Netherlands in Tallaght next week.

Ireland U-17s are top seeds ahead of Germany and Spain in Euro finals - Here are three exciting stars to watch 

On the 20th anniversary of Ireland's young footballers conquering Europe, there's a sense of...

'This is only the start. It could end very quick' 

There have been moments in a headspinning week for Declan Rice that have provided a sudden reminder of his new status.

Keane suited by No 2 brief - but he will return to management, insists United legend Robson 

They were big personalities in a Manchester United dressing-room, although they only overlapped for a season.

John Giles: Besides Declan Rice and Coleman's return, nothing I saw from Ireland gave me optimism 

IF Ireland's friendly with Turkey was to be the start of something new and a foundation for what is to come over the next few years, it wasn't a very...

English young gun nets his grandfather over €19,000 from 2014 bet after making his international debut 

Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook made his grandfather €19,450 richer on Tuesday after...

Watch: Declan Rice shows his passion for Ireland with emotional badge-kissing celebration after late winner 

It is tough to doubt Declan Rice's commitment to the Irish cause after his emotional celebration at Tallaght Stadium last night.

Portugal stars dump Ireland U-19s out while U-17s top Euro group 

Ireland U-19 boss Tom Mohan admitted his side were second best by a distance as their hopes of reaching a first European Championships in seven years perished with a 4-0 defeat to Portugal...

Messi-less Argentina hit for six by Spain 

Spain sent out a warning to their World Cup rivals as Isco grabbed a hat-trick in a 6-1 thrashing of Argentina, who were missing the injured Lionel Messi.

Donnellan's late winner keeps Irish dream alive 

Ireland were seconds from disaster at Tallaght Stadium when an old-fashioned set-piece kept their European U-21 Championship ambitions on the right track.

VAR steps in after Vardy strike as England let chance slip 

A painful sting in the tail here for England, and one from which lessons will need to be learned.

Ireland U21 keep Euro dreams alive after dramatic late winner sinks Azerbaijan 

IRELAND were seconds from disaster at Tallaght Stadium when an old-fashioned set-piece kept their European U-21 Championship ambitions on the...

Raheem Sterling wants fans to ‘love’ the England players as he tells supporters to get behind the team for 2018 World Cup 

Raheem Sterling wants to feel the love from England football fans ahead of the 2018 World...

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho eyeing move for Irish under-17 striker - reports 

Highly-rated Republic of Ireland striker Adam Idah is attracting interest from Manchester United, according to reports.

Holland captain Virgil van Dijk shines as Memphis Depay's revival continues against Portugal 

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk toasted his appointment as Holland captain by scoring as his side recorded a thumping 3-0 win against...

Giggs defends Bale contribution in Uruguay loss 

Ryan Giggs defended Gareth Bale's contribution after he suffered his first defeat as Wales manager to Uruguay in the China Cup final.

Messi set for Madrid return to face Spain 

Lionel Messi is set to return for Argentina's friendly showdown with Spain in Madrid.

Celtic ace Brown pledges donation to Miller family as Ireland confirmed for testimonial 

Martin O'Neill will bring an Ireland XI to Glasgow to play Celtic in Scott Brown's testimonial in May with part of the proceeds going to the family of the...

Noel King knows Declan Rice's U-21 return could also be a farewell 

On Friday evening, Noel King and the Ireland U-21 squad went out for a meal to watch the senior side's friendly with Turkey.

Republic of Ireland XI to take on Celtic in Scott Brown's testimonial with part of the proceeds going to Liam Miller's family 

A Republic of Ireland XI will take on Brendan Rodgers' Celtic on Sunday, May 20 at Parkhead...

Wales 0 Uruguay 1: Ryan Giggs suffers first defeat in China Cup final 

Wales’ hopes of a first trophy since 1937 were ended by Edinson Cavani as the Paris Saint-Germain striker gave Uruguay victory in the China Cup final. Cavani marked his 100th appearance for La...

Vardy to start against Italy despite Dutch disappearance 

Jamie Vardy is set to start for England against Italy at Wembley tomorrow night despite admitting that he failed to touch the ball during his 22-minute substitute appearance against the Netherlands.

Smyth's joy with 'crazy' debut goal 

Paul Smyth made an instant impact on his Northern Ireland senior debut and then dismissed the notion he might have switched his allegiance to the Republic of Ireland.

Bonds formed in Turkey should be of value long term 

In the early hours of Saturday morning, Turkish television were still dissecting the finer points of their victory over Ireland in Antalya hours earlier.

Watch: Republic of Ireland qualify for 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship with victory over Georgia 

The Republic of Ireland Under-17s have qualified for the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship,...

Northern Ireland goalscorer Paul Smyth dismisses suggestion he might have switched allegiance to the Republic of Ireland 

Paul Smyth made an instant impact on his Northern Ireland senior debut and then dismissed the...

D-day for Dele to define his place on world stage 

The best 21-year-old footballer in the world was a title recently bestowed on Dele Alli by his manager at Tottenham Hotspur and it is the kind of judgement that tends to follow a footballer...

Stephen Hunt: Declan Rice has the ingredients for big future in green after Turkey debut 

When I heard the news earlier this week that Declan Rice and Liam Kelly had declared their international intentions, I was full of admiration...

Paul Smyth enjoys dream debut as he nets Northern Ireland winner 

Debutant Paul Smyth needed just four minutes to deliver on Michael O'Neill's assertion that "the future starts today" with a late winner in Northern Ireland's 2-1 victory over South Korea.

'We could have been more comfortable on the ball' - Seamus Coleman glad to be back in green but he seeks improvements 

Seamus Coleman has admitted his frustration at watching the Republic of Ireland's World Cup...

Watch: Unruly England fans douse unsuspecting canal tourists with alcohol ahead of Amsterdam friendly 

England manager Gareth Southgate was disappointed to hear about fan trouble after his players won with "pride and some style" in Holland.

'It's mad, it really is mad' - Eamon Dunphy's brutal verdict on Ireland's new era under O'Neill and Keane 

Eamon Dunphy served up a damning verdict as a new-look Ireland team lost 1-0 to Turkey, as he told RTÉ 2fm's Game On show that the national team...

Rice outshines senior pros in dour affair 

The high point of this defeat for Ireland was also the primary cause for concern.

James Lawton: England pay the price of wealth 

It is surely a worry that the World Cup in Russia might be attended by a small legion of refugees from a John Le Carré spy novel. But there is another concern to do entirely with what...

Southgate finally gets something to build on 

That wasn't so bad at all, really. It wasn't outstanding, by any stretch of the imagination. But it wasn't entirely detestable for England's supporters. It didn't make them want to throw...

Fans feel short-changed at Etihad as Messi fails to show 

It was frustrating enough for the thousands who had come to the Etihad Stadium last night in anticipation of watching Lionel Messi in action to see the Argentina maestro stuck in a seat in the...