Republic of Ireland national football team

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This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Republic of Ireland women's national football team.
Republic of Ireland
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) The Boys in Green (Irish: Na buachaillí i nglas)
The Green Army
Association Football Association of Ireland (FAI)
Confederation UEFA (Europe)
Head coach Martin O'Neill[1]
Captain Séamus Coleman
Most caps Robbie Keane (146)
Top scorer Robbie Keane (68)
Home stadium Aviva Stadium
FIFA code IRL
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 26 Increase 8 (16 October 2017)
Highest 6 (August 1993)
Lowest 70 (June–July 2014)
Elo ranking
Current 24 (10 October 2017)
Highest 8 (March–April 1991, April 2002, August 2002)
Lowest 63 (May 1972)
First international
Ireland 1–0 Bulgaria Bulgaria
(Stade Colombes, France; 28 May 1924)
Biggest win
Republic of Ireland 8–0 Malta Malta
(Dublin, Ireland; 16 November 1983)
Biggest defeat
Brazil 7–0 Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland
(Uberlândia, Brazil; 27 May 1982)
World Cup
Appearances 3 (first in 1990)
Best result Quarter-finals, 1990
European Championship
Appearances 3 (first in 1988)
Best result Round of 16, 2016

The Republic of Ireland national football team (Irish: Foireann peile náisiúnta Phoblacht na hÉireann) represents Ireland in association football. It is governed by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and plays its home fixtures at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

The team made their debut at the 1924 Summer Olympics, reaching the quarter-finals. Between 1924 and 1936, the team competed as the Irish Free State and from then until 1950, it was referred to by the FAI as Éire or Ireland; in 1953, FIFA decreed that for competitive matches in tournaments that both Irish teams may enter, the FAI team would be officially called the Republic of Ireland while the IFA team was to be named Northern Ireland.[2] Northern Ireland was allowed to use the title Ireland by FIFA in the Home International Competition until it was discontinued in 1984, the Republic of Ireland was the first nation from outside the United Kingdom to defeat England at home at a fixture played at Goodison Park, Liverpool, in 1949. The team also reached the quarter-final stage of the 1964 European Nations' Cup, where they lost to the eventual winners Spain.

Under the guidance of Jack Charlton, the team enjoyed its most successful era, reaching their highest FIFA world ranking ever at sixth in August 1993, and qualifying for UEFA Euro 1988 in their first appearance at the UEFA European Championship, reaching the quarter-finals of the 1990 FIFA World Cup in their first ever appearance at the finals, as well as making the last 16 at the 1994 edition. Charlton's successor Mick McCarthy lost out on the next two major tournaments but ultimately qualified for the 2002 World Cup, making it to the last 16. Under Giovanni Trapattoni, the team narrowly lost out on qualification for the 2010 World Cup during a controversial play-off, but went on to qualify for Euro 2012.

The team failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, marking the end of Trapattoni's tenure as manager, the Republic of Ireland also fell to a record low FIFA ranking of 59th, then a record low of 70th in June 2014.[3] For the next Euro qualifying campaign under manager Martin O'Neill, the Republic of Ireland finished third behind Germany and Poland, but went on to qualify for Euro 2016 after a 3–1 aggregate win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-offs. The Boys in Green reached the Round of 16 stage at that tournament and were knocked out by the hosts and eventual runners-up France after losing 2–1.

History[edit]

Irish Free State (1924–1936)[edit]

Between 1882 and 1924, Ireland was represented by a single national football team organised by the Belfast-based Irish Football Association (IFA). In 1920, Ireland was partitioned into Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State (the latter in turn becoming Éire or Ireland after adopting a new Constitution in 1937, followed by declaring itself a republic in 1948.) Following the initial political upheavals surrounding Partition, a Dublin-based organisation calling itself the Football Association of the Irish Free State (FAIFS) split from the IFA in 1921 and began organising its own league and national football team.[4]

In 1923, the FAIFS was recognised by FIFA as the governing body of the Irish Free State[5] and at the 1924 Summer Olympics, the Irish Free State made their international debut. On 28 May, at the Stade Olympique, they beat Bulgaria 1–0, with Paddy Duncan scoring the team's first ever goal. As a result, they qualified for the quarter-finals,[6][7] on 14 June 1924, the Irish Free State made their home debut against the United States, who had embarked on a brief European tour after competing in the same Summer Olympics. Ed Brookes scored a hat-trick in a 3–1 home win at Dalymount Park.[8]

The Irish Free State did not play their next game until 21 March 1926, an away game against Italy lost 3–0; in subsequent years, the status of the Olympic Games football competition was downgraded and as a result, this game is widely regarded as the Irish Free State's first official game. On 25 February 1934, the Irish Free State made their FIFA World Cup debut, drawing 4–4 with Belgium at Dalymount Park in a 1934 FIFA World Cup qualifier. Paddy Moore scored all four of the Free State's goals and became the first player ever to score four goals in a World Cup game.[9]

Ireland (1937–1952)[edit]

After 1936, they reverted to the designation "Football Association of Ireland" and began to refer to their team as Éire or "Ireland", during this entire period, there were two Irish international football teams, chosen by two rival Associations. Both Associations, the Northern Ireland-based IFA and the Irish Free State-based FAI claimed jurisdiction over the whole of Ireland and considered themselves entitled to select players from the entire island, at least 38 dual internationals were selected to represent both teams,[10] however the overwhelming majority of these were Southerners who also agreed to play for the IFA team, with only a bare handful "crossing the border" in the other direction.

A 2–0 win over England at Goodison Park on 21 September 1949 was the first time England suffered a home defeat by a team outside the Home Countries of Scotland, Wales and the Ireland team run by the Belfast-based Irish FA. FIFA eventually intervened when both teams entered 1950 World Cup qualification, the first time they had entered the same competition. Four players – Tom Aherne, Reg Ryan, Davy Walsh, Con Martin – actually played for the two different teams in the same FIFA World Cup tournament.[11] All four players concerned had been born in the Irish Free State and made their full international debut in FAI colours before agreeing to represent the IFA team, this may have alarmed the FAI, since they subsequently lobbied FIFA to prevent the IFA from picking Southern-born players (as well as attempting to exert pressure on the players themselves, sometimes through their clubs). FIFA's response was to restrict the eligibility of players on the basis of the (political) border, further ruling in 1953 that neither team could be referred to as Ireland in competitions which both teams were eligible to enter; i.e., initially the FIFA World Cup and subsequently the European Nations Cup (now the UEFA European Football Championship). FIFA decreed that the FAI team officially be called the Republic of Ireland while the IFA team was to be named Northern Ireland.[12]

Republic of Ireland (1953–1968)[edit]

In 1953, FIFA renamed the team from "Ireland" to "Republic of Ireland", the 1958 World Cup qualifiers saw the Republic of Ireland drawn with England. In their home game against England, Alf Ringstead put the hosts 1–0 up before John Atyeo equalised in the last minute to salvage a 1–1 draw for England. Under the rules of the day, a win for the Republic of Ireland would have meant a play-off with England for a place in the World Cup.[9]

After reaching the quarter-finals of the 1964 European Nations' Cup, the Republic of Ireland were drawn to face Spain and Syria in 1966 World Cup qualifying. Despite Syria's withdrawal, this was still considered a qualifying group with the Irish winning 1–0 at home and losing 4–1 away, this meant a play-off at the Parc des Princes in Paris, which Spain won 1–0[13] Eamon Dunphy made his Ireland debut in this game.[13] The play-off was originally scheduled to take place at Wembley Stadium in London, home to a large Irish diaspora, but the FAI agreed with the Royal Spanish Football Federation to have the match moved to Paris, where a large Spanish diaspora lived.[14] The FAI was criticised for this move to boost revenue from gate receipts.[13]

In 1965, the Republic of Ireland team made history when selecting Manchester United full-back Shay Brennan for the senior national team, this was the first instance of a player born outside the Republic being selected to play for the national team due to having an Irish parent. Since then, many of the Republic's most prominent players have been born in England, including Mark Lawrenson, David O'Leary, John Aldridge, Tony Cascarino and David Kelly. A number of Scottish-born players, including Ray Houghton, have since represented the Republic due to having Irish parentage, the selection rules were later relaxed to allow for the selection of players with an Irish grandparent.

Wilderness (1969–1985)[edit]

In 1969, the FAI appointed Mick Meagan as the first permanent manager of the national side, his two years in charge were marked by exceptionally poor results, however with the team losing five out of six matches and gaining just one point in their 1970 World Cup qualification, and doing no better in the UEFA Euro 1972 qualifiers, leading to his dismissal. His replacement, Liam Tuohy, did a somewhat better in the 1974 qualification, and more importantly oversaw major improvements to the national team's training facilities and persuaded many English club sides to end their policies of not releasing Irish players for international games during the domestic season. Ultimately, however, the team still failed to qualify for the World Cup, and Tuohy resigned following a dispute over his wages. Johnny Giles became the side's first player-manager in the 1970s. This was followed by the debut of a young Liam Brady and results improved markedly,[15] the side missed out on the 1978 World Cup by two points, having defeated France at home during qualification. After a less than impressive performance at Euro 1980 qualifying, in which the team finished well behind group winners England and Northern Ireland, Giles resigned, saying that he had taken the national side as far as he could.[16]

Eoin Hand took over as manager for the 1982 World Cup qualifiers, and once more the Republic of Ireland narrowly missed out on qualification, this time on goal difference behind France, whom they had defeated at home once more. Disappointing qualifying campaigns for both Euro 1984 and the 1986 World Cup followed, ending Hand's time in charge.

The Charlton years (1986–1995)[edit]

In 1986, the Republic of Ireland appointed Jack Charlton, a top rated English manager who had been part of England's World Cup-winning side of 1966, during the 1970s, he had developed Middlesbrough into a side which provided many players to the dominant Liverpool team of the time.

Republic of Ireland playing Netherlands at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida, where they lost 2–0 in the Round of 16 of the 1994 World Cup

After taking charge of the Republic of Ireland, Charlton influenced changes in the national side which resulted in arguably the most successful period of its history, qualifying for two World Cups and a European Championship.[17]

Ireland's first appearance at a major finals tournament came in Euro 1988, with qualification being secured through Gary Mackay's famous goal in Sofia that meant Scotland beat Bulgaria 1–0 and left Ireland on top of the group.[18] In the finals in West Germany, Ireland beat England 1–0 in Stuttgart with a header from Ray Houghton; drew 1–1 with the Soviet Union in Hannover, with Ronnie Whelan the scorer; and lost to the Netherlands 1–0 in Gelsenkirchen, coming within seven minutes of a draw that would have meant a semi-final place.[19]

The Republic of Ireland's longest competitive winning streak was achieved in 1989 during the 1990 World Cup qualifying campaign. Five games against Spain, Northern Ireland, Hungary and Malta twice, were all wins for the Irish. Subsequently, the side made it to the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Three draws in the group stage against England, Egypt and the Netherlands was enough to make the knockout stage. Virtually the entire country watched as they beat Romania on penalties, with Packie Bonner making a vital save and David O'Leary scoring the decisive spot-kick. Ireland were then beaten 1–0 by Italy in the quarter-final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, during the tournament, the team had an audience with Pope John Paul II, the only team to do so.[20]

After missing out on Euro 1992 (despite being unbeaten in qualifying), the Republic of Ireland qualified for the 1994 World Cup, held in the United States; in their first match, they beat the previous World Cup hosts and third-place finishers, Italy, 1–0 in their opening game at Giants Stadium just outside New York City, but lost to Mexico 2–1 at the Citrus Bowl in the heat and humidity of Orlando, Florida. They ended the group stage with a 0–0 draw with Norway at Giants Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with these results, they made it to the second round, eventually losing 2–0 to the Netherlands in Orlando. In 1996, Ireland finished second behind Portugal in Euro 1996 qualifying's Group 6, but narrowly missed out on Euro 1996 after losing 2–0 in a play-off, played at Anfield between the two worst group runners-up, to the Netherlands (the other worst runner-up), with Patrick Kluivert scoring both goals to send his team through.[13] It was Jack Charlton's final game as manager.[13]

Mick McCarthy era (1996–2002)[edit]

Charlton was replaced by Mick McCarthy but Ireland still missed out on the next two major tournaments. Ireland just managed to finish second to Romania in their 1998 World Cup qualification campaign after Tony Cascarino scored a late goal to win the away match with Lithuania.[13] A play-off with Belgium followed, with the match at Lansdowne Road finishing in a 1–1 draw, the match in Belgium finishing 2–1 to the home team and substitute David Connolly being sent off in the latter, preventing Ireland from progressing to the 1998 World Cup.[13] FIFA awarded the FIFA Fair Play Award for 1997 to the Irish supporters "for their exemplary behaviour at Ireland team matches, especially the FIFA World Cup qualifying play-offs against Belgium".[21] Ireland's opponents in UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying Group 8 were Yugoslavia, Croatia, Malta and Macedonia.[13] Macedonia scored a last-minute equaliser that denied Ireland top spot in the group; instead, they faced Turkey in a play-off to decide which team would participate in Euro 2000.[13] The match in Dublin finished in a 1–1 draw, although Turkey qualified through the away goals rule after a 0–0 draw, at the end of which Tony Cascarino became involved in a fight and retired from international football.[13][22]

Ireland took on both Portugal and the Netherlands in 2002 World Cup qualifiers in UEFA's Group 2, ending the group in second place with 24 points from 10 matches (seven victories and three draws).[13] Despite this unbeaten run, Ireland were drawn in a play-off with Iran, the match in Dublin finished in a 2–0 victory to Ireland with goals from Ian Harte (penalty) and Robbie Keane, while the match in Tehran, played in front of 100,000 spectators, finished in a 1–0 win for Iran.[13] McCarthy thus managed to lead Ireland to the 2002 World Cup final stages, though only for the team to lose inspirational captain Roy Keane due to the pair's infamous public spat in Saipan.[23] 1–1 draws with Cameroon and Germany were followed by a 3–0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Group E.[24][25][26] The Irish once again progressed to the knockout stage, only losing narrowly 3–2 on penalties to Spain in Suwon after Robbie Keane's last minute equalising penalty kick forced the game into extra-time.[27]

Decline (2003–2007)[edit]

After a poor start to qualifying for Euro 2004, McCarthy was replaced by Brian Kerr, but he too struggled to guide the side to the tournament or the subsequent 2006 World Cup in Germany, and was ultimately sacked in October 2005.[28][29] Kerr was replaced by Steve Staunton (assisted by Bobby Robson in the position of "international football consultant") in January 2006.[30] Under Staunton, results varied widely but the team still failed to qualify for Euro 2008 and Staunton lost the position in October 2007,[31] his reign included a humiliating 5–2 defeat to Cyprus during the qualifiers' Group D, one of the worst defeats in the team's history.[32]

The Trapattoni years (2008–2013)[edit]

Irish celebrating qualification for UEFA Euro 2012

Giovanni Trapattoni was appointed manager in February 2008 following a spell with assistant coach Don Givens in charge.[33] Trapattoni went through all ten first round 2010 World Cup qualifying games unbeaten, winning four of the ten games.[34] Ireland lost out on a place in the finals, however, after a controversial, narrow loss to France in the play-offs. Ireland went down 0–1 in the first leg, and lost 2–1 on aggregate, with William Gallas scoring a controversial goal in extra time in the second leg after Thierry Henry had handled the ball before crossing for Gallas to score.[35] This followed another controversy over FIFA's last-minute decision to seed the play-off draw.[36]

In 2011, Ireland hosted and won the inaugural Nations Cup with wins against Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland without conceding a goal.[37]

In their Euro 2012 qualifying group, Ireland finished second, losing only the home fixture against Russia, they thus reached the play-offs and were drawn against Estonia, whom they beat 5–1 on aggregate. Euro 2012 was Ireland's first major tournament since 2002, but in Group C they lost all three matches, against Croatia, Spain and Italy. UEFA, however, announced a special award for the fans of the Irish team, who notably sang in the last few minutes against Spain, despite trailing 4–0.[38]

Irish team in September 2013

Ireland were drawn in Group C of UEFA's 2014 World Cup qualification alongside Germany, Sweden, Austria, the Faroe Islands and Kazakhstan.[39] On 12 October, Ireland suffered their largest ever competitive home defeat, 6–1 against Germany, at the Aviva Stadium. Ireland then lost against Sweden and Austria in early September 2013, effectively ending the qualification campaign, and Giovanni Trapattoni resigned as team manager the following day.[40] Noel King was appointed interim senior manager on 23 September 2013 following his resignation.

On 5 November 2013, the FAI announced that Martin O'Neill would be Trapattoni's replacement as manager, with former team captain Roy Keane as his assistant, they assumed their roles when the team met on 11 November where they won against Latvia 3–0 and drew against Poland 0–0 .[1]

Recent history (2014–present)[edit]

For the Euro 2016 qualification phase, the Republic of Ireland were drawn in Group D against Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Poland and Scotland.[41] The team played against Gibraltar for the first time, beating them 7–0, and scored an away draw against World Cup champions, Germany, a few days later in October 2014.[42]

On 8 October 2015, the Republic of Ireland beat world champions Germany 1–0 in a Euro 2016 qualifier at the Aviva Stadium. Shane Long scored the game's only goal with an excellent finish[43] in the 70th minute, rewarding the Republic of Ireland's impressive defensive display.[44] The result, hailed as one of the Republic of Ireland's greatest,[45] guaranteed[46] the Republic of Ireland a play-off place at least, with hopes of automatic qualification still a reality going into the final group game against Poland in Warsaw.[47] A win, or a draw of 2–2 or more,[46] would guarantee at least second place in the group and ensure automatic qualification[48] for the finals in France. The Republic of Ireland, however, lost 2–1,[49] thus entering them into the play-offs.[50]

The draw for the Euro 2016 Play-off was held in Nyon, Switzerland, on 18 October 2015.[51] Ireland were unseeded in the draw, meaning they could face one of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Sweden or Hungary.[52] Ireland were drawn against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the top seeded team in the play-off,[53] the only previous meeting between the teams resulted in a 1–0 win for the Republic of Ireland in a friendly in 2012, Shane Long scoring the game's only goal.[54] Owing to injuries and suspensions, Ireland had only the "B" squad available for the first leg of the play-off, played in Bilino Polje Stadium. A goal from Robbie Brady almost secured a victory for the Irish until Edin Džeko equalized 1–1 to end off the match; in the second leg played at the Aviva Stadium, Jonathan Walters scored two goals leading to a 2–0 victory for the Irish. In the end, Ireland won the play-off 3–1 on aggregate, qualifying them for Euro 2016.

At the tournament's final stages in France, Ireland were drawn into Group E against Italy, Belgium and Sweden; in their opener at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris, Wes Hoolahan scored the opener with a spectacular half-volley off a Séamus Coleman cross, but Sweden equalised after Ciaran Clark headed into his own net attempting to clear a cross from Zlatan Ibrahimović, leading to a 1–1 draw. At the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux against Belgium, the Belgians cruised to a 3–0 victory after two goals from Romelu Lukaku and one from Axel Witsel, leaving Ireland needing to win their final match against Italy to qualify for the knockout stage. Against Italy at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, Lille, Ireland played strongly but were five minutes plus stoppage time away from elimination when Robbie Brady headed in Hoolahan's cross. The Republic held on to win 1–0, sending Ireland through as one of the four best third-place teams, on 26 June, Ireland played France in the round of 16 in Lyon.[55] Ireland took the lead in the match with an early penalty from Robbie Brady, but France went on to win 2–1 to advance to the quarter-finals.[56]

The 2018 World Cup qualification draw took place on 25 July 2015 when the team were drawn in Group D against Austria, Georgia, Moldova, Serbia and Wales.[57]

On 12 November 2016, Ireland beat Austria in Vienna to go top of the 2018 World Cup qualifying group,[58] on 9 October 2017, Ireland defeated Wales 1–0 in Cardiff to qualify for the qualification play-offs.[59] They will play Denmark in the play-offs.[60]

Team image[edit]

Kit[edit]

Ireland players (L-R) Robbie Keane, Liam Lawrence, Keith Andrews and Greg Cunningham in a 2010 friendly against Algeria

Traditionally, the team has played in a home strip of green shirt, white shorts and green socks, the second strip is usually the reverse of these colours, although there have been exceptions, such as an orange shirt in the late 1990s. Squad numbers are either white with an orange trim, on the home shirts, or green with an orange trim, the FAI logo appears at the bottom of the numbering.

A limited edition grey shirt was used just once, in a match against Wales on 17 November 2007.[61] A black jersey with a green stripe across the chest was worn in the final game of the 2011 Nations Cup against Scotland and in a friendly against Italy in Liège, Belgium.[62][63]

The current kit has been supplied by Umbro since 1994; in March 2009, Umbro signed a deal with the FAI to keep them as kit suppliers to the team until 2020.[64] However New Balance will take over the contract from August 2017.

Historical Kits[edit]

Home

Classic
1978–83
1983–84
1984–85
1985
1988
1990[65]
1994
1996
1998
2002[66]
2004
2006
2012
2014
2016

Away

1990
1994
2002
2010
2012[67]
2013
2014
2016

Home stadium and other venues[edit]

Main articles: Lansdowne Road and Aviva Stadium
Ireland versus Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on 11 August 2010

Since the 1980s, most home matches have been played at Lansdowne Road, Dublin, the national rugby stadium owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), the ground was closed for redevelopment in 2007, with the replacement ground, the Aviva Stadium, opening on 14 May 2010. The first soccer match in the Aviva was Manchester United against a League of Ireland XI side, managed by Damien Richardson, on 4 August 2010.[43] Manchester United won the game 7–1, with Park Ji-Sung scoring the first ever goal in the Aviva Stadium.[68] Aviva Stadium is jointly owned by the IRFU and FAI, although it will return to solely IRFU ownership on expiry of the current 60-year lease,[69] the first football international played at Lansdowne Road by a FAI team was a friendly against Italy in 1971 (an IFA team first played in 1878 against England[70]); a 5–0 victory over San Marino in a UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying Group D match on 15 November 2006 was the last game there before the reconstruction.[71] The all-seater capacity of Lansdowne Road prior to the renovation was 36,000, although higher attendances, using the standing only areas, were permitted for friendly matches, the Aviva Stadium's status as an all-seater increased capacity for competitive games to 51,700. The opening game at the Aviva Stadium, a controversial 1–0 friendly defeat to Argentina, was noted for Robbie Keane securing his membership in the FIFA Century Club and manager Giovanni Trapattoni's absence due to surgery, with assistant manager Marco Tardelli taking charge.[72][73]

Main article: Croke Park
Croke Park, the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association, has been used for Irish matches.

With the announcement of the rebuilding of Lansdowne Road, a new venue was required to stage the Republic of Ireland's home internationals, the only stadium in Ireland deemed suitable to stage international football was the 84,500 capacity Croke Park, home of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). To accommodate this, the GAA temporarily relaxed its rule governing the playing of "foreign" games on its property. Initially, four UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying Group D matches were played at Croke Park in 2007, resulting in two wins and two draws.[74] The GAA initially agreed to allow the FAI use until the end of 2008, and later extended the permission until the completion of Aviva Stadium, the Hill 16 end of Croke Park is a terrace, which means like Lansdowne Road before it, the capacity of the stadium was reduced to around 74,500 for competitive matches as temporary seating must be used.

Prior to the 1980s, the Republic of Ireland played most home games at Dalymount Park, home of Bohemians, but progressively more games were played at Lansdowne Road following a safety review which reduced Dalymount's capacity, the last international match played there was against Morocco in 1990. The Republic of Ireland have also played home matches in Tolka Park (twice) and the RDS Arena in Dublin as well at the Mardyke and Flower Lodge grounds in Cork. These games in Cork were, until 2009, the only two home Irish internationals played outside of Dublin, during the construction of the Aviva Stadium, two friendly games were played in Thomond Park, Limerick, in 2009.[75][76] Two further friendlies were played in the RDS Arena in May 2010.[77][78] Ireland played a friendly against Belarus in Cork's 7,000 capacity Turners Cross stadium in May 2016.[79]

Media coverage[edit]

Ireland matches are broadcast by Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), Sky Sports, and Setanta Ireland. Sky Sports shows most of Irelands friendly matches, while RTÉ shows competitive games such as World Cup and European Championship qualifiers.[80][not in citation given] RTÉ briefly lost its broadcast rights in 2002 when the FAI controversially sold them in a multi-million deal to Sky Sports, a subscription based satellite channel,[81] the decision was criticised by fans and politicians,[82][83] and the Consumers' Association of Ireland (CAI) described the FAI as "greedy".[84] The FAI was eventually forced to reverse its decision and to allow RTÉ to continue its broadcasts after the government intervened to stop the sale of important Irish sporting events to non-terrestrial television broadcasters.[85] RTÉ will hold the rights until 2018.[86]

Selection and nationality issues[edit]

The selection[87][88][89] of young Northern Irish born players, especially those who have already represented Northern Ireland at youth level, into Republic of Ireland national teams has been controversial,[90] as these players are able to claim Irish nationality even though born and brought up outside the Republic's territory. This has led to accusations of unfairness and predatory behaviour;[91][92] in Northern Ireland it is seen by Northern Ireland supporters as having the effect of dividing international football in their country along sectarian lines, whereby Nationalists will declare for the Republic of Ireland while Unionists continue to play for Northern Ireland.[93] It has also been argued that it is actually the sectarian divisions, which already existed in Northern Irish football, that are a factor in a number of players switching to the Republic.[94][95] Traditionally, those in the North who identify as Irish, predominantly Catholics and nationalists, support the Republic of Ireland team.[96]

Staff[edit]

The senior men's management team are as follows:[97]

Martin O'Neill is the team's current manager.
Position Name Appointed
Manager Northern Ireland Martin O'Neill [1]
Assistant manager Republic of Ireland Roy Keane 5 November 2013[1]
Assistant manager England Steve Walford
Coach England Steve Guppy
Goalkeeping coach Republic of Ireland Jim McDonagh 8 November 2013[98]
Head of Fitness Republic of Ireland Dan Horan
Performance Analyst Republic of Ireland Gerard Dunne
High Performance Director Netherlands Ruud Dokter 5 April 2013 (commenced 1 August)[99][100]

Squad[edit]

Current squad[edit]

The following players were called up for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Wales on 9 October 2017.[101]
Caps and goals updated as of 9 October 2017 after the match against Wales.

0#0 Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Colin Doyle (1985-06-12) 12 June 1985 (age 32) 1 0 England Bradford City
16 1GK Rob Elliot (1986-04-30) 30 April 1986 (age 31) 4 0 England Newcastle United
23 1GK Darren Randolph (1987-05-12) 12 May 1987 (age 30) 26 0 England Middlesbrough
2 2DF Cyrus Christie (1992-09-30) 30 September 1992 (age 25) 15 2 England Middlesbrough
3 2DF Ciaran Clark (1989-09-26) 26 September 1989 (age 28) 28 2 England Newcastle United
4 2DF John O'Shea (1981-04-30) 30 April 1981 (age 36) 118 3 England Sunderland
5 2DF Richard Keogh (1986-08-11) 11 August 1986 (age 31) 17 1 England Derby County
17 2DF Stephen Ward (1985-08-20) 20 August 1985 (age 32) 47 3 England Burnley
20 2DF Shane Duffy (1992-01-01) 1 January 1992 (age 25) 15 1 England Brighton & Hove Albion
21 2DF Kevin Long (1990-08-18) 18 August 1990 (age 27) 4 0 England Burnley
7 3MF Aiden McGeady (1986-04-04) 4 April 1986 (age 31) 92 5 England Sunderland
6 3MF Glenn Whelan (1984-01-13) 13 January 1984 (age 33) 83 2 England Aston Villa
10 3MF Robbie Brady (1992-01-14) 14 January 1992 (age 25) 37 7 England Burnley
11 3MF James McClean (1989-04-22) 22 April 1989 (age 28) 55 10 England West Bromwich Albion
12 3MF Callum O'Dowda (1995-04-23) 23 April 1995 (age 22) 7 0 England Bristol City
13 3MF Jeff Hendrick (1992-01-31) 31 January 1992 (age 25) 36 1 England Burnley
14 3MF Wes Hoolahan (1982-05-20) 20 May 1982 (age 35) 42 3 England Norwich City
15 3MF Conor Hourihane (1991-02-02) 2 February 1991 (age 26) 3 0 England Aston Villa
18 3MF David Meyler (captain) (1989-05-29) 29 May 1989 (age 28) 23 0 England Hull City
22 3MF Harry Arter (1989-12-28) 28 December 1989 (age 27) 9 0 England Bournemouth
9 4FW Scott Hogan (1992-04-13) 13 April 1992 (age 25) 0 0 England Aston Villa
8 4FW Daryl Murphy (1983-03-15) 15 March 1983 (age 34) 30 3 England Nottingham Forest
19 4FW Seán Maguire (1994-05-01) 1 May 1994 (age 23) 1 0 England Preston North End

Recent call-ups[edit]

The following players have been selected by the Republic of Ireland in the past 12 months, but were not selected in the final squad for the Wales game in October 2017, or withdrew from that squad due to injury or suspension.[102][103][104][105][106][107][108][109][110][111]

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Keiren Westwood (1984-10-23) 23 October 1984 (age 32) 21 0 England Sheffield Wednesday v.  Serbia, 5 September 2017
DF Alex Pearce (1988-11-09) 9 November 1988 (age 28) 9 2 England Derby County v.  Austria, 11 June 2017
DF John Egan (1992-10-20) 20 October 1992 (age 25) 2 0 England Brentford v.  Uruguay, 4 June 2017
DF Andy Boyle (1991-03-07) 7 March 1991 (age 26) 1 0 England Preston North End v.  Uruguay, 4 June 2017
DF Séamus Coleman (1988-10-11) 11 October 1988 (age 29) 43 1 England Everton v.  Wales, 24 March 2017
DF Paul McShane (1986-01-06) 6 January 1986 (age 31) 33 0 England Reading v.  Austria, 12 November 2016
MF Eunan O'Kane (1990-07-10) 10 July 1990 (age 27) 7 0 England Leeds United v.  Moldova, 6 October 2017
MF Jonny Hayes (1987-07-09) 9 July 1987 (age 30) 4 0 Scotland Celtic v.  Serbia, 5 September 2017
MF Daryl Horgan (1992-08-10) 10 August 1992 (age 25) 2 0 England Preston North End v.  Serbia, 5 September 2017
MF Alan Browne (1995-04-15) 15 April 1995 (age 22) 1 0 England Preston North End v.  Uruguay, 4 June 2017
MF Stephen Gleeson (1988-08-03) 3 August 1988 (age 29) 4 1 England Birmingham City v.  Mexico, 1 June 2017
MF James McCarthy (1990-11-12) 12 November 1990 (age 26) 41 0 England Everton v.  Wales, 24 March 2017
MF Stephen Quinn (1986-04-01) 1 April 1986 (age 31) 18 0 England Reading v.  Austria, 12 November 2016
FW Shane Long (1987-01-22) 22 January 1987 (age 30) 77 17 England Southampton v.  Moldova, 6 October 2017
FW Jonathan Walters (1983-09-20) 20 September 1983 (age 34) 51 14 England Burnley v.  Serbia, 5 September 2017
FW David McGoldrick (1987-11-29) 29 November 1987 (age 29) 6 0 England Ipswich Town v.  Uruguay, 4 June 2017
FW Kevin DoyleRET (1983-09-18) 18 September 1983 (age 34) 63 14 Retired v.  Iceland, 28 March 2017

Previous squads[edit]

Competitive record[edit]

FIFA World Cup[edit]

See also: Republic of Ireland national football team – record in major tournaments and Republic of Ireland at the FIFA World Cup

Ireland Competed as "Irish Free State". Paddy Moore (v. Belgium) became the first player anywhere to score 4 goals in a World Cup match, for the 1950 World Cup, after three qualified teams withdrew, FIFA invited the FAI to compete as a replacement, however they declined.[112] During qualification for the 1962 World Cup, it was the only qualifying tournament in which the team had a 0% record, during qualification for the 1966 World Cup, Ireland reached their first playoff against Spain. Goal difference did not count, so a playoff was played at the Stade Colombes, Paris, and Ireland failed to progress. Ireland almost qualified but lost on goal difference to France in a tough and tight group. Fans lamented some controversial refereeing decisions[113]

For the 1990 World Cup, Ireland reached the quarter finals of the tournament for the first time in their history, it was Ireland's first ever participation in a FIFA World Cup. Ireland played England in the first drawing 1–1.[114] Ireland drew the next two matches but ultimately qualified for the knockout stages where they played Romania, the match ended 0–0 and Ireland won on penalties 5–4 which sent Ireland into the quarter-final showdown against the tournament host Italy. There Ireland lost 1–0 via a Salvatore Schillaci goal in the 38th minute that sent the Irish out of the competition.

Ray Houghton scored against Italy at the 1994 FIFA World Cup

In 1994, Ireland participated in their second consecutive World Cup,[115] this time they were drawn with Mexico, Norway and Italy. Ireland won their first game against Italy which was the first time Ireland had won a World Cup match and their first ever victory over Italy with a spectacular goal from Ray Houghton. Ireland lost against Mexico in the second group match and drew with Norway but still made to the knockout phase where they faced the Netherlands. Ireland lost 2–0.

For the 1998 qualification campaign, Ireland scraped into the playoffs largely due to Tony Cascarino's seven goals in ten games, they lost in the playoff against Belgium, drawing 1–1 in the first leg then losing 2–1 in the second leg.[116] Although for next campaign Ireland were drawn with two big European nations, the Netherlands, Portugal. Ireland went the whole campaign unbeaten, beating the Netherlands 1–0 in the process courtesy of a Jason McAteer goal that helped Ireland qualify.[117]

Main article: Saipan Incident

At the start of the tournament, captain Roy Keane and manager Mick McCarthy where involved in a "bust up" and Keane was sent home, despite this, McCarthy did not call up a replacement and continued with 22 players. Ireland drew in their first match against Cameroon and in their second match they drew again against the tournaments runner up Germany; in Ireland's final group match, they defeated Saudi Arabia, their second ever victory in a World Cup and progressed them to the round of 16. Ireland met Spain and lost in penalty shootout.[118]

With failure to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, Ireland reached a playoff against France for a place at the 2010 World Cup.[119]

Main article: 2009 Republic of Ireland v France football matches

France's Thierry Henry's handball stirred international controversy after the move set up William Gallas to score in extra-time of the second leg of the playoff; the referee did not notice and allowed the goal to stand, leading to widespread media controversy, protests at the French embassy in Dublin and comments from senior government officials from both countries.[120][121][122]

FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D * L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA Position
Uruguay 1930 Did not enter – – – – – – –
Italy 1934 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 6 9 3/3
France 1938 2 0 1 1 5 6 2/2
Brazil 1950 4 1 1 2 6 7 2/3
Switzerland 1954 4 2 0 2 8 6 2/3
Sweden 1958 4 2 1 1 6 7 2/3
Chile 1962 4 0 0 4 3 17 3/3
England 1966 3 1 0 2 2 5 Lost Playoff
Mexico 1970 6 0 1 5 3 14 4/4
West Germany 1974 4 1 1 2 4 5 2/3
Argentina 1978 4 1 1 2 2 4 3/3
Spain 1982 8 4 2 2 17 11 3/5
Mexico 1986 8 2 2 4 5 10 4/5
Italy 1990 Quarter-finals 8th 5 0 4 1 2 3 8 5 2 1 10 2 2/5
United States 1994 Round of 16 15th 4 1 1 2 2 4 12 7 4 1 19 6 2/7
France 1998 Did not qualify 12 5 4 3 24 11 2/6 Lost Playoff
South Korea Japan 2002 Round of 16 12th 4 1 3 0 6 3 12 8 3 1 25 6 2/6 Won Playoff
Germany 2006 Did not qualify 10 4 5 1 12 5 4/6
South Africa 2010 12 4 7 1 13 10 2/6 Lost Playoff
Brazil 2014 10 4 2 4 16 17 4/6
Russia 2018 To Be Determined 10 5 4 1 12 6 2/6
Total Quarter-Finals 3/20 13 2 8 3 10 10 139 56 42 41 198 164
Draws include knockout matches decided by penalty shootout.

UEFA European Championship[edit]

Irish line up for Ireland's fixture against Italy at Euro 2016
See also: Republic of Ireland at the UEFA European Football Championship

Ireland reached the quarter finals of the 1964 European Nations Cup.[123]

Ireland did not qualify for a European Championship until Euro 1988, on 12 June 1988 in Stuttgart, the Irish team took to the pitch in its first match at a major championship finals against England. Ray Houghton of Liverpool scored the only goal of the match as Ireland recorded a memorable and historic victory,[124] the game is fondly remembered in Irish folklore through the song "Joxer goes to Stuttgart" by Irish folk legend Christy Moore.[125] Ireland took on the former Soviet Union next and took the lead late in the first half via a spectacular volley from Liverpool's Ronnie Whelan. Unfortunately for both Whelan and Ireland the lead was cancelled out midway through the second half by Oleh Protasov as the match ended in a 1–1 draw;[126] in their final match, Ireland lost out to the Netherlands 1–0.

It was not until 2011 that Ireland clinched a place at another European Championship, qualifying for Euro 2012 with a 5–1 aggregate victory over Estonia,[127] at the tournament itself, however, Ireland lost all three of its matches and conceded nine goals, the nation's worst performance in a major tournament to date.[128]

At Euro 2016, Ireland beat Italy 1–0 to secure their spot in the round of 16, marking the first time they had ever advanced from the group stage at a European Championship.

Championship record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA Position
France 1960 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 2 4 Preliminary round
Spain 1964 6 2 2 2 9 12 Quarter-final
Italy 1968 6 2 1 3 5 8 3/4
Belgium 1972 6 0 1 5 3 17 4/4
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1976 6 3 1 2 11 5 2/4
Italy 1980 8 2 3 3 9 8 3/5
France 1984 8 4 1 3 20 10 3/5
West Germany 1988[129] Group stage 5th 3 1 1 1 2 2 8 4 3 1 10 5 1/5
Sweden 1992 Did not qualify 6 2 4 0 13 6 2/4
England 1996 11 5 2 4 17 13 2/6 Lost Playoff
Belgium Netherlands 2000 10 5 3 2 15 7 2/5 Lost Playoff
Portugal 2004 8 3 2 3 10 11 3/5
Austria Switzerland 2008 12 4 5 3 17 14 3/7
Poland Ukraine 2012[130] Group stage 16th 3 0 0 3 1 9 12 7 4 1 20 8 2/6 Won Playoff
France 2016 Round of 16 15th 4 1 1 2 3 6 12 6 4 2 22 8 3/6 Won Playoff
Total Round of 16 3/15 10 2 2 6 6 17 113 46 33 34 166 132

Other tournaments[edit]

Year Position GP W D L GF GA
France 1924 Olympics 5th 2 1 0 1 2 2
United Kingdom 1948 Olympics 17th 1 0 0 1 1 3
Brazil 1972 Brazil Independence Cup 13th 4 2 0 2 7 7
Japan 1984 Kirin Cup 2nd 4 1 2 1 2 2
Iceland 1986 Iceland Triangular Tournament 1st 2 2 0 0 3 1
United States 1992 U.S. Cup 3rd 3 1 0 2 3 5
United States 1996 U.S. Cup 2nd 3 1 1 1 6 4
United States 2000 U.S. Cup 2nd 3 1 2 0 5 4
England 2004 Unity Cup 2nd 2 1 0 1 1 3
Republic of Ireland 2011 Celtic Nations Cup 1st 3 3 0 0 9 0
Total 24 13 3 8 38 29

Opponents[edit]

See also: Matches of the Republic of Ireland national football team

The team's head-to-head records against all 78 nations whom they have played to date, including friendly internationals:[131] Three of these teams no longer exist (Czechoslovakia, the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia), so Ireland have played against 76 of the 211 FIFA members: 50 UEFA, 8 CONMEBOL, 7 CAF, 6 CONCACAF and 5 AFC members as of 1 September 2016.[132] The only UEFA members against whom Ireland have not played are: Azerbaijan, Kosovo, Slovenia and Ukraine.

As of 11 October 2017.

Against Region P W D L GF GA GD Win % First match Last match
 Albania UEFA 4 3 1 0 6 2 +4 75% 26 May 1992 2003-06-07
 Algeria CAF 2 1 0 1 3 2 +1 50% 28 April 1982 2010-05-29
 Andorra UEFA 4 4 0 0 11 2 +9 100% 28 March 2001 2011-10-07
 Argentina CONMEBOL 4 0 0 4 0 5 −5 0% 13 May 1951 2010-08-11
 Armenia UEFA 2 2 0 0 3 1 +2 100% 3 September 2010 2011-10-11
 Australia AFC 2 1 0 1 2 4 −2 50% 19 August 2003 2009-08-12
 Austria UEFA 16 3 4 9 19 37 −18 18.75% 7 May 1952 2017-06-11
 Belarus UEFA 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0% 31 May 2016 2016-05-31
 Belgium UEFA 15 4 5 6 24 28 −4 26.67% 12 February 1928 2016-06-18
 Bolivia CONMEBOL 3 2 1 0 5 1 +4 66.67% 24 May 1994 2007-05-26
 Bosnia and Herzegovina UEFA 3 2 1 0 4 1 +3 66.67% 26 May 2012 2015-11-16
 Brazil CONMEBOL 6 1 1 4 2 12 −10 16.67% 5 May 1974 2010-03-02
 Bulgaria UEFA 10 3 4 3 11 8 +3 30% 28 May 1924 2009-06-06
 Cameroon CAF 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0% 1 June 2002 2002-06-01
 Canada CONCACAF 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 100% 18 November 2003 2003-11-18
 Chile CONMEBOL 6 2 1 3 6 6 0 33.33% 30 March 1960 2006-05-24
 China PR AFC 2 2 0 0 2 0 +2 100% 3 June 1984 2005-03-29
 Colombia CONMEBOL 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100% 29 May 2008 2008-05-29
 Costa Rica CONCACAF 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0% 6 June 2014 2014-06-06
 Croatia UEFA 7 2 3 2 8 8 0 28.57% 2 June 1996 2012-06-10
 Cyprus UEFA 10 8 1 1 27 9 +18 80% 26 March 1980 2009-09-05
 Czech Republic UEFA 8 2 2 4 9 13 −4 25% 5 June 1994 2012-02-29
 Czechoslovakia UEFA 12 4 1 7 14 29 −15 33.33% 18 May 1938 1986-05-27
 Denmark UEFA 13 5 5 3 20 16 +4 38.46% 3 October 1956 2007-08-22
 Ecuador CONMEBOL 2 1 1 0 4 3 +1 50% 18 June 1972 2007-05-23
 Egypt CAF 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0% 17 June 1990 1990-06-17
 England UEFA 16 3 8 5 14 20 −6 18.75% 30 September 1946 2015-06-07
 Estonia UEFA 5 4 1 0 12 2 +10 80% 3 June 1924 2011-11-15
 Faroe Islands UEFA 4 4 0 0 11 1 +10 100% 13 October 2004 2013-06-07
 Finland UEFA 5 3 2 0 11 2 +9 60% 8 September 1949 2002-08-21
 France UEFA 16 4 5 7 15 20 −5 25% 23 May 1937 2016-06-26
 Georgia UEFA 9 8 1 0 17 5 +12 88.89% 29 March 2003 2017-09-02
 Germany a UEFA 20 6 5 9 24 35 −11 30% 8 May 1935 2015-10-08
 Germany 'B' UEFA 2 1 0 1 1 3 −2 50% 1 March 1975 1981-05-21
 Gibraltar UEFA 2 2 0 0 11 0 +11 100% 11 October 2014 2015-09-04
 Greece UEFA 3 0 1 2 0 2 −2 0% 26 April 2000 2012-11-14
 Hungary UEFA 11 2 5 4 16 21 −5 18.18% 15 December 1934 2012-06-04
 Iceland UEFA 8 5 2 1 16 7 +9 62.5% 12 August 1962 2017-03-28
 Iran AFC 3 2 0 1 4 2 +2 66.67% 11 June 1972 2001-11-15
 Israel UEFA 5 1 3 1 8 6 +2 20% 4 April 1984 2005-06-04
 Italy UEFA 14 3 3 8 10 20 −10 21.43% 21 March 1926 2016-06-22
 Italy 'B' UEFA 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0% 23 April 1927 1927-04-23
 Jamaica CONCACAF 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100% 2 June 2004 2004-06-02
 Kazakhstan UEFA 2 2 0 0 5 2 +3 100% 7 September 2012 2013-10-15
 Latvia UEFA 5 5 0 0 14 1 +13 100% 9 September 1992 2013-11-15
 Liechtenstein UEFA 4 3 1 0 14 0 +14 75% 12 October 1994 1997-05-21
 Lithuania UEFA 4 3 1 0 5 1 +4 75% 16 June 1993 1997-09-10
 Luxembourg UEFA 5 5 0 0 14 2 +12 100% 9 May 1936 1987-09-09
 Macedonia UEFA 6 4 1 1 11 5 +6 66.67% 9 October 1996 2011-06-04
 Malta UEFA 7 7 0 0 24 2 +22 100% 30 March 1983 1999-09-08
 Mexico CONCACAF 6 0 4 2 6 9 −3 0% 8 August 1984 2017-06-02
 Moldova UEFA 2 2 0 0 5 1 +4 100% 9 October 2016 2017-10-06
 Montenegro UEFA 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0% 10 September 2008 2009-10-14
 Morocco CAF 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100% 12 September 1990 1990-09-12
 Netherlands UEFA 22 7 4 11 29 40 −11 31.82% 2 June 1924 2016-05-27
 Nigeria CAF 3 0 1 2 2 6 −4 0% 16 May 2002 2009-05-29
 Northern Ireland UEFA 10 4 4 2 17 4 +13 40% 20 September 1978 2011-05-24
 Norway UEFA 18 7 8 3 29 19 +10 38.89% 10 October 1937 2010-11-17
 Oman AFC 3 3 0 0 10 1 +9 100% 11 September 2012 2016-08-31
 Paraguay CONMEBOL 2 2 0 0 4 1 +3 100% 10 February 1999 2010-05-25
 Poland UEFA 27 6 10 11 29 43 −14 22.22% 22 May 1938 2015-10-11
 Portugal UEFA 13 4 2 7 10 20 −10 30.77% 16 June 1946 2014-06-10
 Romania UEFA 5 2 2 1 4 2 +2 40% 23 March 1988 2004-05-27
 Russia UEFA 7 1 3 3 7 10 −3 14.29% 23 March 1994 2011-09-06
 San Marino UEFA 2 2 0 0 7 1 +6 100% 15 November 2006 2007-02-07
 Saudi Arabia AFC 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 100% 11 June 2002 2002-06-11
 Scotland UEFA 11 4 3 4 9 12 −3 36.36% 3 May 1961 2015-06-13
 Serbia b UEFA 9 2 3 4 9 12 −3 22.22% 19 October 1955 2017-09-05
 Slovakia UEFA 5 1 4 0 6 5 +1 20% 28 March 2007 2016-03-29
 South Africa CAF 2 2 0 0 3 1 +2 100% 11 June 2000 2009-09-08
 Soviet Union UEFA 8 3 1 4 8 8 0 37.5% 18 October 1972 1990-04-25
 Spain UEFA 26 4 7 15 18 54 −36 15.38% 26 April 1931 2013-06-11
 Sweden UEFA 11 3 3 5 14 17 −3 27.27% 2 June 1949 2016-06-13
  Switzerland UEFA 16 8 3 5 18 10 +8 50% 5 May 1935 2016-03-25
 Trinidad and Tobago CONCACAF 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0% 30 May 1982 1982-05-30
 Tunisia CAF 1 1 0 0 4 0 +4 100% 19 October 1988 1988-10-19
 Turkey UEFA 13 5 6 2 27 15 +12 38.46% 16 November 1966 2014-05-25
 United States CONCACAF 9 5 2 2 20 13 +7 55.56% 14 June 1924 2014-11-18
 Uruguay CONMEBOL 4 1 1 2 6 7 −1 25% 8 May 1974 2017-06-04
 Wales UEFA 15 6 4 5 17 13 +4 40% 28 September 1960 2017-10-09
Total 78 nations 550 219 150 181 769 678 +91 39.82%
a.^ "Germany" includes nine games against West Germany which were played between 1950 and German reunification in 1990.
b.^ "Serbia" includes two games against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia which existed between 1992 and 2003.

Honours[edit]

Jack Charlton is Ireland's most successful manager

Major[edit]

Quarter finalists (1):1990

Friendly titles[edit]

Winners (1): 2011
Winners (1): 1986

Other awards[edit]

Winners (1) 1997
Holders (2): 30 March 1977 – 1 July 1977, 31 March 2004 – 29 May 2004

Recent results and forthcoming fixtures[edit]

See also: Republic of Ireland national football team 2010s results

Ireland began their qualification campaign for the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament with a 2–1 away victory against Georgia,[133] this was followed by a 7–0 home victory against Gibraltar,[134] and on 14 October 2014, the team played a 1–1 away draw against world champions, Germany, when a goal by John O'Shea won Ireland a late point in the 94th minute.[135] They then suffered their first defeat of the campaign to Scotland; losing 1–0, before scoring another late goal through Shane Long to make it 1–1 and earn a well-deserved point against Poland at home. They then drew 1–1 at home to Scotland, before winning 3 games in a row against Gibraltar, Georgia and Germany; 4–0, 1–0 and 1–0 respectively. Shane Long scored the memorable winner against the World Champions Germany. However, in their last group game, they lost 2–1 away to Poland and missed out on an qualifying spot, finishing third in the group and advancing to the play-offs, they were drawn against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-offs. They drew the first leg away 1–1, and won the second leg 2–0, winning 3–1 on aggregate and qualifying for UEFA Euro 2016 in France.

Schedule[edit]

As of 9 October 2017

Republic of Ireland goal tally first.[136]

Date Competition Venue Opponent Result Scorers
5 September 2016 World Cup 2018 qualifier Belgrade, Serbia  Serbia 2–2 Hendrick Goal 3', Murphy Goal 81'[137]
6 October 2016 World Cup 2018 qualifier Dublin, Ireland  Georgia 1–0 Coleman Goal 56'[137][138]
9 October 2016 World Cup 2018 qualifier Chișinău, Moldova  Moldova 3–1 Long Goal 2', McClean Goal 69', 76'[137][139]
12 November 2016 World Cup 2018 qualifier Vienna, Austria  Austria 1–0 McClean Goal 48'[137][140]
24 March 2017 World Cup 2018 qualifier Dublin, Ireland  Wales 0–0 [137]
28 March 2017 Friendly match Dublin, Ireland  Iceland 0–1 [141]
1 June 2017 Friendly match New Jersey, United States  Mexico 1–3 Jesús Corona Goal 16', Raúl Jiménez Goal 25', Carlos Vela Goal 54', Stephen Gleeson Goal 77'[142]
4 June 2017 Friendly match Dublin, Ireland  Uruguay 3–1 Jonathan Walters Goal 28', José Giménez Goal 35', Cyrus Christie Goal 51', James McClean Goal 77'[143]
11 June 2017 World Cup 2018 qualifier Dublin, Ireland  Austria 1–1 Martin Hinteregger Goal 31', Jonathan Walters Goal 85'[144]
2 September 2017 World Cup 2018 qualifier Tbilisi, Georgia  Georgia 1–1 Shane Duffy Goal 4', Valeri Qazaishvili Goal 34'[145]
5 September 2017 World Cup 2018 qualifier Dublin, Ireland  Serbia 0–1 Aleksandar Kolarov Goal 55'[146]
6 October 2017 World Cup 2018 qualifier Dublin, Ireland  Moldova 2–0 Daryl Murphy Goal 2', 19'[137]
9 October 2017 World Cup 2018 qualifier Cardiff, Wales  Wales 1–0 James McClean Goal 57'[137]

Records[edit]

Robbie Keane, top goalscorer and the most capped player
Shay Given, most capped goalkeeper and the second most capped player
  Players still active are highlighted in green

Most capped players[edit]

As of 6 October 2017[147]
# Player National
career		 Caps Goals
1. Keane, RobbieRobbie Keane 1998–2016 146 68
2. Given, ShayShay Given 1996–2016 134 0
3. Oshea, JohnJohn O'Shea 2001– 118 3
4. Kilbane, KevinKevin Kilbane 1997–2011 110 8
5. Staunton, SteveSteve Staunton 1988–2002 102 7
6. Duff, DamienDamien Duff 1998–2012 100 8
7. McGeady, AidenAiden McGeady 2004– 92 5
8. Quinn, NiallNiall Quinn 1986–2002 91 21
9. Cascarino, TonyTony Cascarino 1985–2000 88 19
10. Macgrath, PaulPaul McGrath 1985–1997 83 8

Record goalscorers[edit]

As of 4 June 2017[147]
# Player National career Goals Caps Average
1. Keane, RobbieRobbie Keane (list) 1998–2016 68 146 0.47
2. Quinn, NiallNiall Quinn 1986–2002 21 91 0.23
3. Stapleton, FrankFrank Stapleton 1977–90 20 71 0.28
4. Givens, DonDon Givens 1969–81 19 56 0.34
Aldridge, JohnJohn Aldridge 1986–97 19 69 0.28
Cascarino, TonyTony Cascarino 1985–2000 19 88 0.22
7. Long, ShaneShane Long 2007– 17 73 0.23
8. Cantwell, NoelNoel Cantwell 1953–67 14 36 0.39
Doyle, KevinKevin Doyle 2006–17 14 63 0.22
Walters, JonathanJonathan Walters 2010– 14 49 0.27
10. Dunne, JimmyJimmy Dunne 1930–39 13 15 0.87
Daly, GerryGerry Daly 1973–86 13 48 0.27

Managers[edit]

Between 1921 and 1969, a committee of selectors chose the team, on occasions a coach or team manager was appointed; Mick Meagan was the first manager to actually select the team.[148] Managers from the periods in which the national side was known as the Irish Free State or simply Ireland are obscure and many are not currently known, however it is known that Val Harris, Bill Lacey and Alex Stevenson managed the side.[149]

Manager records[edit]

As of 11 October 2017
Manager Career P W D L GF GA GD Win % Loss % Notes
Republic of Ireland Meagan, MickMick Meagan 1969–1971 12 0 3 9 7 26 −19 0% 75%
Republic of Ireland Tuohy, LiamLiam Tuohy 1971–1973 10 3 1 6 11 20 −9 30% 60%
Republic of Ireland Thomas, SeánSeán Thomas 1973 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0% 0% Caretaker
Republic of Ireland Giles, JohnnyJohnny Giles 1973–1980 36 13 9 14 48 45 3 36.1% 38.9%
Republic of Ireland Kelly, Sr., AlanAlan Kelly, Sr. 1980 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 100% 0% Caretaker
Republic of Ireland Hand, EoinEoin Hand 1980–1985 39 11 9 19 47 56 −9 28.2% 48.7%
England Charlton, JackJack Charlton 1986–1995 93 47 29 17 132 67 65 50.5% 18.3% Qualified for Euro 1988, and World Cups 1990 and 1994
Republic of Ireland McCarthy, MickMick McCarthy 1996–2002 68 29 19 20 113 68 45 42.6% 29.4% Qualified for 2002 World Cup
Republic of Ireland Givens, DonDon Givens 2002 and
2007–8		 3 0 2 1 2 3 −1 0% 33.3% Caretaker
Republic of Ireland Kerr, BrianBrian Kerr 2003–2005 33 18 11 4 39 20 19 54.5% 12.1%
Republic of Ireland Staunton, SteveSteve Staunton 2006–2007 17 6 6 5 24 19 5 35.3% 29.4%
Italy Trapattoni, GiovanniGiovanni Trapattoni 2008–2013 64 26 22 16 86 64 22 40.6% 25% Qualified for Euro 2012
Republic of Ireland King, NoelNoel King 2013 2 1 0 1 3 4 −1 50% 50% Caretaker
Northern Ireland O'Neill, MartinMartin O'Neill 2013– 44 18 13 11 63 41 22 40.9% 31.4% Qualified for Euro 2016

Pictures[edit]

  • Roy Keane was team captain from 1997 to 2002. He is now the assistant manager.

  • Shay Given is Ireland's second most capped player and played in two major tournaments.

  • Ronnie Whelan played in two World Cups and one European Championship.

  • John Aldridge scored 19 goals for Ireland played in two World Cups and one European Championship.

  • Mick McCarthy captained Ireland in the 1990 World Cup and managed Ireland in the 2002 World Cup.

  • Richard Dunne played in 2 major championships and won 80 caps.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d New Senior international management team confirmed Football Association of Ireland, 5 November 2013.
  2. ^ "NIFG: Northern Ireland Programmes 1968–1972". Northern Ireland's Footballing Greats. Jonny Dewart. 27 March 2010. Retrieved 26 June 2016. 
  3. ^ FIFA Rankings FIFA. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  4. ^ Byrne, Peter (1996). Football Association of Ireland: 75 years. Dublin: Sportsworld. p. 22. ISBN 1-900110-06-7. 
  5. ^ Byrne, Peter (1996). Football Association of Ireland: 75 years. Dublin: Sportsworld. p. 22. ISBN 1-900110-06-7. 
  6. ^ "1924 Olympic Games at Rsssf". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
  7. ^ "History of Irish Football" Archived 4 April 2005 at the Wayback Machine.. clubi.ie.
  8. ^ "United States results at Rsssf" Archived 17 January 2010 at WebCite. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
  9. ^ a b "Republic of Ireland Soccer Team Match Results : Result of Irish Football Matches 1940 to 1959". Soccer-Ireland.com. Retrieved 26 June 2016. 
  10. ^ "List of Dual Internationalists". nifootball.
  11. ^ Ryan, op. cit. pg 59.
  12. ^ Byrne, op. cit., pg 68.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Leahy, Ed (10 November 2011). "Ireland's chequered play-off history". RTÉ Sport. Archived from the original on 11 November 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
  14. ^ Nugent, Michael (20 September 2007). "FAI-Total Official Looniness Abroad". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 21 December 2007. 
  15. ^ "Republic of Ireland Soccer Results: Result of all Irish Football Matches 1970 to 1979". Soccer-Ireland.com. Retrieved 26 June 2016. 
  16. ^ "FAI History: 1960 – 1986 | Football Association of Ireland". Football Association of Ireland. Retrieved 26 June 2016. 
  17. ^ SOCCER; "Ireland Brings Cup Team With an English Accent to America", The New York Times, 29 May 1994.
  18. ^ Davidson, Alan (12 November 1987). "Too late but new boys look good for future". Evening Times. p. 26. Retrieved 12 April 2015. 
  19. ^ "Ireland at Euro 1988 Finals". Soccer-Ireland.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016. 
  20. ^ "Italia '90 Revisited". entertainment.ie. 16 October 2008. Archived from the original on 9 February 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2008. 
  21. ^ "Irish Fans win FIFA Fair Play Award". FIFA. 1 December 1997. Retrieved 18 November 2011. 
  22. ^ "The Republic of Ireland's play-off record". Irish Independent. 10 October 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017. 
  23. ^ "PLUS: SOCCER; Ireland's Top Player Is Told to Go Home". The New York Times. 24 May 2002. Retrieved 24 May 2002. 
  24. ^ "Rep of Ireland v Cameroon photos". BBC Sport. 30 May 2002. Retrieved 30 May 2002. 
  25. ^ Kelso, Paul (6 June 2002). "Last-gasp draw sends Irish dancing". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 June 2002. 
  26. ^ "Ireland stroll into last 16". BBC Sport. 11 June 2002. Retrieved 11 June 2002. 
  27. ^ O'Neill, Sean (17 June 2002). "Heartbreak but Irish hold their heads high". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 17 June 2002. 
  28. ^ Hayward, Paul (7 November 2002). "Departing Mick the victim of McCarthyism – Irish style". Irish Independent. Retrieved 7 November 2002. 
  29. ^ "Sacked Kerr aims for job abroad". BBC Sport. 7 November 2005. Retrieved 7 November 2005. 
  30. ^ "Irish management duo confirmed". RTÉ Sport. 13 January 2006. Retrieved 13 January 2006. 
  31. ^ "FAI & Staunton part company". RTÉ Sport. 24 October 2007. Archived from the original on 24 October 2007. Retrieved 24 October 2007. 
  32. ^ "Ireland humiliated by Cyprus". RTÉ Sport. 7 October 2006. Retrieved 7 October 2006. 
  33. ^ Hodges, Vicki (13 February 2008). "Giovanni Trapattoni is new Ireland manager". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 13 February 2008. 
  34. ^ "All matches". FIFA. 18 November 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2010. 
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External links[edit]

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