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Republic of Ireland national football team

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 92.51.193.234 (talk) at 12:05, 11 September 2013 (→‎2008–present). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

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
The Green Army
AssociationFootball Association of Ireland (FAI)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachVacant
CaptainRobbie Keane
Most capsRobbie Keane (129)
Top scorerRobbie Keane (60)
Home stadiumAviva Stadium
FIFA codeIRL
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current44
Highest6 (August 1993)
Lowest57 (November 1998)
First international
Republic of Ireland Irish Free State 1–0 Bulgaria 
(Colombes, France; 28 May 1924)
Biggest win
Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland 8–0 Malta 
(Dublin, Ireland; 16 November 1983)
Biggest defeat
 Brazil 7–0 Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland
(Uberlândia, Brazil; 27 May 1982)
World Cup
Appearances3 (first in 1990)
Best resultQuarter-finals, 1990
European Championship
Appearances2 (first in 1988)
Best resultFirst Round, 1988, 2012

The Republic of Ireland national football team 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 its 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.[1]

Under the guidance of Jack Charlton and his successor Mick McCarthy, the team enjoyed its most successful era, qualifying for UEFA Euro 1988 in their first appearance at the UEFA European Championship, reaching the quarterfinals of the 1990 FIFA World Cup in their first ever appearance at the finals, and making the last 16 at both the 1994 and 2002 FIFA World Cups. Under the guidance of Giovanni Trapattoni, the team narrowly lost out on qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup during a controversial play-off but went on to qualify for UEFA Euro 2012. The team is currently in qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil where they have been grouped with Germany, Sweden, Kazakhstan, Austria and the Faroe Islands.

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-finals of the 1964 European Nations' Cup.

History

Irish Free State

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). 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.

In 1923, the FAIFS was recognised by FIFA as the governing body of the Irish Free State[2] 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 of this they qualified for the quarter-finals.[3][4] 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.[5]

The Irish Free State did not play their next game until 21 March 1926. This was an away game against Italy which they 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 FIFA World Cup game.

Republic of Ireland

Immediately after Partition, the Association in Dublin styled itself the "Football Association of Ireland", but changed to the "Football Association of the Irish Free State" ("FAIFS") following its admission to FIFA in 1924, at which time its representative team called itself the "Irish Free State". However after 1936, they reverted to the designation "Football Association of Ireland" and began to refer to their team as Éire or "Ireland". During this whole 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 whole island. At least thirty-eight dual internationals were selected to represent both teams,[6] 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.

FIFA eventually intervened when both teams entered 1950 FIFA 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.[7] 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.[8]

Competitive history

See also: Matches of Republic of Ireland national football team

1949–1985

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.

The 1958 FIFA 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 FIFA World Cup.

After reaching the quarter-finals of the 1964 European Nations' Cup, the Republic of Ireland were drawn to face Spain and Syria in 1966 FIFA World Cup qualification. 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[9] Eamon Dunphy made his Ireland début in this game.[9] 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 Spanish FA to have the match moved to Paris, where a large Spanish diaspora lived.[10] The FAI was criticised for this move to boost revenue from gate receipts.[9]

A run of poor results in the late 1960s and early 1970s followed until Johnny Giles became their first player-manager in the 1970s. This was followed by the debut of a young Liam Brady and results improved markedly. The side missed out on the 1978 FIFA World Cup by two points, having defeated France at home during qualification.

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

1986–1995

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.

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, winning the Iceland Triangular Tournament by defeating Iceland and Czechoslovakia in May 1986[11] and qualifying for two FIFA World Cups and a European Championship.[12]

Ireland's first appearance at a major finals tournament came in UEFA 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. 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 Holland 1–0 in Gelsenkirchen, coming within 8 minutes of a draw that would have meant a semi-final place.

The Republic of Ireland's longest competitive winning streak was achieved in 1989 during the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification 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 FIFA World Cup (Italia '90). Three draws in the group stage against England, Egypt and Holland was enough to make the knockout stage. Virtually the whole 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 in the Olympic Stadium, Rome. During the tournament the team had an audience with Pope John Paul II, and were the only team to do so.[13]

After missing out on UEFA Euro 1992 (despite being unbeaten in qualifying), the Republic of Ireland qualified for the 1994 FIFA World Cup (USA '94). The side beat an opponent from the last FIFA World Cup, Italy, in their opening game; they made it to the second round, eventually losing 2–0 to Holland. In 1996, Ireland finished second behind Portugal in UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying Group 6 but narrowly missed out on UEFA Euro 1996 after losing by a score of 2–0 a play-off at Anfield between the two worst group runners-up to Holland, the other worst runner-up, with Patrick Kluivert scoring both goals to send his team through.[9] It was Jack Charlton's final game as manager.[9]

1996–2002

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 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign after Tony Cascarino scored a late goal to win the away match with Lithuania.[9] 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 FIFA World Cup.[9] 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".[14] Ireland's opponents in UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying Group 8 were Yugoslavia, Croatia, Malta and Macedonia.[9] 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 UEFA Euro 2000.[9] The match in Dublin finished in a 1–1 draw and, after a logistical nightmare which saw Ireland traipse across Europe to Bursa, Turkey qualified with the away goal after a 0–0 draw at the end of which Tony Cascarino became involved in a fight and retired from international football.[9]

Ireland took on both Portugal and the Netherlands in 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 2 and ended the group in second place with 24 points from ten matches; seven victories and three draws.[9] 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 for Iran, not enough to send them through.[9] So McCarthy did manage to lead Ireland to the 2002 FIFA World Cup (Korea/Japan '02), only for the team to lose inspirational captain Roy Keane due to the pair's infamous public spat in Saipan.[15] 1–1 draws with Cameroon and Germany were followed by a 3–0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Group E.[16][17][18] 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.[19]

Richard Dunne after playing for Ireland against Russia in Moscow in September 2011.

2003–2007

After a poor start to qualifying for UEFA Euro 2004, McCarthy was replaced by Brian Kerr but he also struggled to guide the side to the tournament or the following 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and was sacked in October 2005.[20][21] Kerr was replaced by Steve Staunton (assisted by Bobby Robson in the position of "international football consultant") in January 2006.[22] Under Staunton, results varied widely but the team still failed to qualify for UEFA Euro 2008 and Staunton lost the position in October 2007.[23] His reign included a humiliating 5–2 defeat to Cyprus during UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying Group D, one of the worst defeats in the team's history.[24]

2008–present

Giovanni Trapattoni was then appointed manager in February 2008 following a spell with assistant coach Don Givens in charge.[25] Trapattoni went through all ten first round 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying games unbeaten, winning four of the ten games.[26] Ireland lost out on a place in the 2010 FIFA World Cup 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.[27] This followed another controversy over FIFA's last-minute decision to seed the play-off draw.[28]

In 2011, Ireland hosted and won the inaugural Nations Cup with wins against Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland without conceding a goal.[29]

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. UEFA 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 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.[30]

Ireland were drawn in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group C alongside Germany, Sweden, Austria, Faroe Islands and Kazakhstan.[31] On 12 October, Ireland suffered their largest ever competitive home defeat, 6-1 against Germany in the Aviva Stadium. As of 11 June 2013, they are in fourth place in the group with three wins, two draws, and one loss.

On the 10 September 2013, they lost against Austria, which after losing to Sweden on the 6 September 2013 effectively ended the 2014 World Cup qualification campaign. Trappatoni stepped down as Ireland manager as a result on the 11 September 2013.

Media coverage

Ireland matches are broadcast by Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), usually on RTÉ Two. RTÉ briefly lost its broadcast rights in 2002 when the FAI controversially sold them in a multi-million deal to Sky Sports, a channel not available on Irish airwaves.[32] The decision was criticised by fans and politicians,[33][34] and the Consumers' Association of Ireland (CAI) described the FAI as "greedy".[35] 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 foreign broadcasters.[36]

Home stadium

Ireland versus Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on 11 August 2010

Lansdowne Road and the Aviva Stadium

Main articles: Lansdowne Road and Aviva Stadium

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.[37] 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.[38] The first football international played at Lansdowne Road was a friendly against Italy in 1971; 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.[39]

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.[40][41]

Croke Park

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

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.[42][43][44][45] 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.

Other venues

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.[46][47] Two further friendlies were played in the RDS Arena in May 2010.[48][49]

Home record

As of 14 November 2012
Stadium Played Won Drawn Lost Goals for Goals against Goal difference Win % First match Most recent
Croke Park 13 4 6 3 12 11 +1 30.77% 24 March 2007, v. Wales 14 November 2009, v. France
Dalymount Park 81 36 17 28 146 127 +19 44.44% 14 June 1924, v. United States 12 September 1990, v. Morocco
Flower Lodge 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0% 26 May 1985, v. Spain 26 May 1985, v. Spain
Lansdowne Road 141 76 37 28 232 111 +121 53.9% 10 May 1971, v. Italy 6 September 2013, v. Sweden
Mardyke 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 0% 19 March 1939, v. Hungary 19 March 1939, v. Hungary
RDS Arena 3 2 0 1 5 2 +3 66.67% 19 February 1992, v. Wales 29 May 2010, v. Algeria
Thomond Park 2 1 0 1 1 3 -2 50% 12 August 2009, v. Australia 8 September 2009, v. South Africa
Tolka Park 2 1 0 1 3 4 -1 50% 24 February 1981, v. Wales 17 February 1993, v. Wales
Total 244 120 62 62 394 258 +136 49.17% 14 June 1924, v. United States 6 September 2013, v. Sweden

Controversies

The selection[50][51][52] 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,[53] 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.[54][55] 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.[56]

Kit

Traditionally, the team plays 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 1980s.

Ireland players (l-r) Robbie Keane, Liam Lawrence, Keith Andrews and Darron Gibson in a 2010 friendly against Algeria

Currently, the kit is supplied by Umbro, and has been since 1994. In March 2009, Umbro signed a deal with the FAI to keep them as kit suppliers to the team until 2020.[57]

Previously O'Neills and Adidas made the team's kit. Shirts carry the logo of telecommunications company 3 across the chest as per terms of a sponsorship agreement, but in all official international games, as per FIFA law, this advertising is absent.

Squad numbers are either white with an orange trim, as is the case with the home shirts, or green with an orange trim. At the bottom of the numbering there is a logo of the FAI.

There is also a limited edition grey shirt available. The team have only ever used it once and that was in a 2–2 draw with Wales on 17 November 2007.[58] 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 which Ireland won 2–0 against Italy in Liège, Belgium.[59][60]

Historical kits

Home

Classic
1978–83
1983–84
1984–85
1985
1990
1994 Home
1998
2002
2004
2006
Now

Away

1994
2010
Now

Competitive record

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

FIFA World Cup record

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 final 7th 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 Qualification attempt in progress
Russia 2018 Future qualification campaign
Qatar 2022 Future qualification campaign
Total 3/19 13 2 8 3 10 10 119 47 36 36 170 141
'*Draws include knockout matches decided by penalty shootout.

UEFA European Championship record

Sean St Ledger, scorer of Ireland's only goal at the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship
UEFA Euro Championship record UEFA Euro Championship 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[61] Group stage Group 2 (3/4) 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[62] Group Stage Group C (4/4) 3 0 0 3 1 9 12 7 4 1 20 8 2/6 Won Playoff
Total 2/14 6 1 1 4 3 11 109 44 32 33 161 128

Other tournaments

Year Position GP W D L GS GA
France 1924 Olympics 5th 2 1 0 1 2 2
England 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 1 1 0 0 1 0
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 Nations Cup 1st 3 3 0 0 9 0
Total 24 13 3 8 38 29

Opponents

See also: Matches of Republic of Ireland national football team

The team's head to head records against all 75 nations whom they have played to date, including friendly internationals:[63] Three of these teams no longer exist (Czechoslovakia, the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia), so Ireland have played against 72 of the current 209 FIFA members: 47 UEFA, 8 CONMEBOL, 7 CAF, 5 CONCACAF and 5 AFC members as of 22 March 2013.[64] The only UEFA members against whom Ireland have not played are: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Gibraltar, Moldova, Slovenia and Ukraine.

As of 10 September 2013.

Against Region Played Won Drawn Lost Goals for Goals against Goal difference Win % First meeting Most recent
 Albania UEFA 4 3 1 0 6 2 +4 75% 26 May 1992 7 June 2003
 Algeria CAF 2 1 0 1 3 2 +1 50% 28 April 1982 29 May 2010
 Andorra UEFA 4 4 0 0 11 2 +9 100% 28 March 2001 7 October 2011
 Argentina CONMEBOL 4 0 0 4 0 5 −5 0% 13 May 1951 11 August 2010
 Armenia UEFA 2 2 0 0 3 1 +2 100% 3 September 2010 11 October 2011
 Australia AFC 2 1 0 1 2 4 −2 50% 19 August 2003 12 August 2009
 Austria UEFA 14 2 3 9 17 36 −19 14.29% 7 May 1952 10 September 2013
 Belgium UEFA 14 4 5 5 24 25 −1 28.57% 12 February 1928 15 November 1997
 Bolivia CONMEBOL 3 2 1 0 5 1 4 66.67% 24 May 1994 26 May 2007
 Bosnia and Herzegovina UEFA 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 100% 26 May 2012 26 May 2012
 Brazil CONMEBOL 6 1 1 4 2 12 −10 16.67% 5 May 1974 2 March 2010
 Bulgaria UEFA 10 3 4 3 11 8 +3 30% 28 May 1924 6 June 2009
 Cameroon CAF 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0% 1 June 2002 1 June 2002
 Canada CONCACAF 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 100% 18 November 2003 18 November 2003
 Chile CONMEBOL 6 2 1 3 6 6 0 33.33% 30 March 1960 24 May 2006
 China AFC 2 2 0 0 2 0 +2 100% 3 June 1984 29 March 2005
 Colombia CONMEBOL 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100% 29 May 2008 29 May 2008
 Croatia UEFA 7 2 3 2 8 8 0 28.57% 2 June 1996 10 June 2012
 Cyprus UEFA 10 8 1 1 27 9 +18 80% 26 March 1980 5 September 2009
 Czech Republic UEFA 8 2 2 4 9 13 −4 25% 5 June 1994 29 February 2012
 Czechoslovakia UEFA 12 4 1 7 14 29 −15 33.33% 18 May 1938 27 May 1986
 Denmark UEFA 12 5 4 3 19 15 +4 41.67% 3 October 1956 22 August 2007
 Ecuador CONMEBOL 2 1 1 0 4 3 +1 50% 18 June 1972 23 May 2007
 Egypt CAF 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0% 17 June 1990 17 June 1990
 England UEFA 14 2 7 5 13 20 −7 21.43% 30 September 1946 29 May 2013
 Estonia UEFA 5 4 1 0 12 2 +10 80% 3 June 1924 15 November 2011
 Faroe Islands UEFA 4 4 0 0 11 1 +10 100% 13 October 2004 7 June 2013
 Finland UEFA 5 3 2 0 11 2 +9 60% 8 September 1949 21 August 2002
 France UEFA 15 4 5 6 14 18 −4 26.67% 23 May 1937 18 November 2009
 Georgia UEFA 5 5 0 0 12 3 +9 100% 29 March 2003 2 June 2013
 Germany a UEFA 17 5 4 8 22 31 −9 29.41% 8 May 1935 12 October 2012
 Greece UEFA 3 0 1 2 0 2 −2 0% 26 April 2000 14 November 2012
 Hungary UEFA 11 2 5 4 16 21 −5 18.18% 15 December 1934 4 June 2012
 Iceland UEFA 7 5 2 0 16 6 +10 71.43% 12 August 1962 6 September 1997
 Iran AFC 3 2 0 1 4 2 +2 66.67% 11 June 1972 15 November 2001
 Israel UEFA 5 1 3 1 8 6 +2 20% 4 April 1984 4 June 2005
 Italy UEFA 12 2 2 8 9 20 −11 16.67% 21 March 1926 18 June 2012
 Jamaica CONCACAF 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100% 2 June 2004 2 June 2004
 Kazakhstan UEFA 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 100% 7 September 2012 7 September 2012
 Latvia UEFA 4 4 0 0 11 1 +10 100% 9 September 1992 11 October 1995
 Liechtenstein UEFA 4 3 1 0 14 0 +14 75% 12 October 1994 21 May 1997
 Lithuania UEFA 4 3 1 0 5 1 +4 75% 16 June 1993 10 September 1997
 Luxembourg UEFA 5 5 0 0 14 2 +12 100% 9 May 1936 9 September 1987
 North Macedonia UEFA 6 4 1 1 11 5 +6 66.67% 9 October 1996 4 June 2011
 Malta UEFA 7 7 0 0 24 2 +22 100% 30 March 1983 8 September 1999
 Mexico CONCACAF 5 0 4 1 5 6 −1 0% 8 August 1984 4 June 2000
 Montenegro UEFA 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0% 10 September 2008 14 October 2009
 Morocco CAF 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100% 12 September 1990 12 September 1990
 Netherlands UEFA 21 7 3 11 28 39 −11 33.33% 2 June 1924 16 August 2006
 Nigeria CAF 3 0 1 2 2 6 −4 0% 16 May 2002 29 May 2009
 Northern Ireland UEFA 10 4 4 2 17 4 +13 40% 20 September 1978 24 May 2011
 Norway UEFA 18 7 8 3 29 19 +10 38.89% 10 October 1937 17 November 2010
 Oman AFC 1 1 0 0 4 1 +3 100% 11 September 2012 11 September 2012
 Paraguay CONMEBOL 2 2 0 0 4 1 +3 100% 10 February 1999 25 May 2010
 Poland UEFA 24 6 8 10 27 40 −13 25% 22 May 1938 6 February 2013.
 Portugal UEFA 12 4 2 6 9 15 −6 33.33% 16 June 1946 9 February 2005
 Romania UEFA 5 2 2 1 4 2 +2 40% 23 March 1988 27 May 2004
 Russia UEFA 7 1 3 3 7 10 −3 14.29% 23 March 1994 6 September 2011
 San Marino UEFA 2 2 0 0 7 1 +6 100% 15 November 2006 7 February 2007
 Saudi Arabia AFC 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 100% 11 June 2002 11 June 2002
 Scotland UEFA 9 4 2 3 8 10 −2 44.44% 3 May 1961 29 May 2011
 Serbia b UEFA 6 2 2 2 6 7 −1 33.33% 19 October 1955 15 August 2012
 Slovakia UEFA 4 1 3 0 4 3 +1 25% 28 March 2007 2 September 2011
 South Africa CAF 2 2 0 0 3 1 +2 100% 11 June 2000 8 September 2009
 Soviet Union UEFA 8 3 1 4 8 8 0 37.5% 18 October 1972 25 April 1990
 Spain UEFA 26 4 7 15 18 54 −36 15.38% 26 April 1931 11 June 2013
 Sweden UEFA 10 3 2 5 13 16 −3 30% 2 June 1949 6 September 2013
  Switzerland UEFA 15 7 3 5 17 10 +7 46.67% 5 May 1935 12 October 2005
 Trinidad and Tobago CONCACAF 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0% 30 May 1982 30 May 1982
 Tunisia CAF 1 1 0 0 4 0 +4 100% 19 October 1988 19 October 1988
 Turkey UEFA 12 5 6 1 26 13 +13 41.67% 16 November 1966 9 September 2003
 United States CONCACAF 8 4 2 2 16 12 +4 50% 14 June 1924 17 April 2002
 Uruguay CONMEBOL 3 0 1 2 3 6 −3 0% 8 May 1974 29 March 2011
 Wales UEFA 13 5 3 5 16 13 +3 41.67% 28 September 1960 14 August 2013
Total 74 nations 499 198 134 167 699 627 +72 39.68%
a.^ "Germany" includes nine games versus 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.

Titles

Tournaments

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

Other awards

Winners (1): 1997
Holders (2): 30 March 1977 – 1 June 1977, 31 March 2004 – 29 May 2004
Winners (1): 2012[65]

Recent results and forthcoming fixtures

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

For UEFA Euro 2012, Ireland were in Group C alongside the championship holders Spain, and Croatia and Italy. Ireland lost its three games but was awarded by UEFA President Michel Platini for contributions made by Irish supporters to UEFA Euro 2012.

Ireland began its 2014 World Cup qualification campaign with a narrow 2-1 victory against Kazakhstan[66] but lost 6-1 in their second match against Germany,[67] their worst home defeat.[68]

Schedule

As of 10 September 2013
Date Competition Venue Opponent Result Irish scorers
6 February 2013
International friendly
Dublin, Ireland
 Poland
2 – 0
Clark 35', Hoolahan 76'
22 March 2013
2014 W.C.Q.
Solna, Sweden
 Sweden
0 – 0
26 March 2013
2014 W.C.Q.
Dublin, Ireland
 Austria
2 – 2
Walters 25' (pen.), 45'
29 May 2013
International friendly
London, England
 England
1 – 1
Long 13'
2 June 2013
International friendly
Dublin, Ireland
 Georgia
4 – 0
R.Keogh 42', Cox 48', Keane 77', 88'
7 June 2013
2014 W.C.Q.
Dublin, Ireland
 Faroe Islands
3 – 0
Robbie Keane 5', 56', 81'
11 June 2013
International friendly
New York, USA
 Spain
0 – 2
14 August 2013
International friendly
Cardiff, Wales
 Wales
0 – 0
6 September 2013
2014 W.C.Q.
Dublin, Ireland
 Sweden
1 – 2
Robbie Keane 22'
10 September 2013
2014 W.C.Q.
Vienna, Austria
 Austria
1 – 0
11 October 2013
2014 W.C.Q.
Cologne, Germany
 Germany
15 October 2013
2014 W.C.Q.
Dublin, Ireland
 Kazakhstan
–
5 March 2014
International friendly
Dublin, Ireland
 Serbia
–
November 2014
International friendly
Dublin, Ireland
 England
–
Match date to be confirmed.[69]

Squad

Current squad

The following 29 players were called up for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Austria.[70]

As of 10 September 2013
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK David Forde (1979-12-20) 20 December 1979 (age 44) 12 0 England Millwall
1GK Darren Randolph (1987-05-12) 12 May 1987 (age 37) 2 0 England Birmingham City
1GK Keiren Westwood (1984-10-23) 23 October 1984 (age 39) 16 0 England Sunderland
2DF Séamus Coleman (1988-10-11) 11 October 1988 (age 35) 17 0 England Everton
2DF Ciaran Clark (1989-09-26) 26 September 1989 (age 34) 8 1 England Aston Villa
2DF Richard Dunne (1979-09-21) 21 September 1979 (age 44) 79 8 England Queens Park Rangers
2DF Stephen Kelly (1983-09-06) 6 September 1983 (age 40) 35 0 England Reading
2DF Paul McShane (1986-01-06) 6 January 1986 (age 38) 31 0 England Hull City
2DF Darren O'Dea (1987-02-04) 4 February 1987 (age 37) 20 1 Ukraine Metalurh Donetsk
2DF John O'Shea (1981-04-30) 30 April 1981 (age 43) 92 1 England Sunderland
2DF Marc Wilson (1987-08-17) 17 August 1987 (age 36) 10 1 England Stoke City
3MF Robbie Brady (1992-01-14) 14 January 1992 (age 32) 6 1 England Hull City
3MF Paul Green (1983-04-10) 10 April 1983 (age 41) 16 1 England Leeds United
3MF Wes Hoolahan (1982-05-20) 20 May 1982 (age 42) 7 1 England Norwich City
3MF James McCarthy (1990-11-12) 12 November 1990 (age 33) 18 0 England Everton
3MF James McClean (1989-04-22) 22 April 1989 (age 35) 16 0 England Wigan Athletic
3MF Anthony Pilkington (1988-06-06) 6 June 1988 (age 36) 2 0 England Norwich City
3MF Glenn Whelan (1984-01-14) 14 January 1984 (age 40) 51 2 England Stoke City
4FW Simon Cox (1987-04-28) 28 April 1987 (age 37) 27 4 England Nottingham Forest
4FW Robbie Keane (1980-07-08) 8 July 1980 (age 43) 129 60 United States Los Angeles Galaxy
4FW Shane Long (1987-01-22) 22 January 1987 (age 37) 40 9 England West Bromwich Albion
4FW Conor Sammon (1986-11-06) 6 November 1986 (age 37) 9 0 England Derby County
4FW Jonathan Walters (1983-09-20) 20 September 1983 (age 40) 22 4 England Stoke City

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up to the squad during the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Stephen Henderson (1988-05-02) 2 May 1988 (age 36) 0 0 England West Ham United v.  Wales, 14 August 2013
DF Greg Cunningham (1991-01-31) 31 January 1991 (age 33) 4 0 England Bristol City v.  Poland, 6 February 2013
DF Damien Delaney (1981-07-20) 20 July 1981 (age 42) 7 0 England Crystal Palace v.  Spain, 11 June 2013
DF Richard Keogh (1986-08-11) 11 August 1986 (age 37) 2 1 England Derby County v.  Spain, 11 June 2013
DF Joey O'Brien (1986-02-17) 17 February 1986 (age 38) 5 0 England West Ham United v.  Sweden, 6 September 2013 INJ
DF Alex Pearce (1988-11-09) 9 November 1988 (age 35) 1 1 England Reading v.  Poland, 6 February 2013
DF Sean St Ledger (1984-12-28) 28 December 1984 (age 39) 36 3 England Leicester City v.  Sweden, 6 September 2013 INJ
DF Stephen Ward (1985-08-20) 20 August 1985 (age 38) 18 2 England Wolverhampton Wanderers v.  Poland, 6 February 2013
MF Keith Andrews (1980-09-13) 13 September 1980 (age 43) 35 3 England Brighton & Hove Albion v.  Greece, 14 November 2012
MF Conor Clifford (1991-10-01) 1 October 1991 (age 32) 0 0 England Southend United v.  Faroe Islands, 16 October 2012
MF Keith Fahey (1983-01-15) 15 January 1983 (age 41) 16 3 Unattached v.  Faroe Islands, 16 October 2012
MF Jeff Hendrick (1992-01-31) 31 January 1992 (age 32) 4 0 England Derby County v.  Sweden, 6 September 2013 INJ
MF Aiden McGeady (1986-04-04) 4 April 1986 (age 38) 60 2 Russia Spartak Moscow v.  Sweden, 6 September 2013 INJ
MF David Meyler (1989-05-29) 29 May 1989 (age 35) 4 0 England Hull City v.  Wales, 14 August 2013
MF Stephen Quinn (1986-04-01) 1 April 1986 (age 38) 2 0 England Hull City v.  Spain, 11 June 2013
FW Kevin Doyle (1983-09-18) 18 September 1983 (age 40) 53 12 England Wolverhampton Wanderers v.  Austria, 26 March 2013
FW Andy Keogh (1986-05-16) 16 May 1986 (age 38) 30 2 England Millwall v.  Spain, 11 June 2013
FW Paddy Madden (1990-03-04) 4 March 1990 (age 34) 1 0 England Yeovil Town v.  Sweden, 6 September 2013

Previous squads

FIFA World Cup squads
UEFA European Football Championship squads

Individual all-time records

  Players still active are highlighted
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