The Republic of Ireland national football team represents the Republic of Ireland in men’s international football. It is administered by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). Ireland Football History.
The team made its debut at the 1924 Summer Olympics and reached the quarterfinals. Between 1924 and 1936, the team competed as the Irish Free State, and from then until 1950, it was referred to as Éire or Ireland by the FAI. In 1953, FIFA decided that for competitive matches in tournaments in which both Irish teams could enter, the FAI team would be officially called the Republic of Ireland while the IFA team would be named Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland was allowed by FIFA to use the Ireland title in home international competition until it was discontinued in 1984.
Ireland National Team
The Republic of Ireland was the first country outside the UK to beat England at home in a match played at Goodison Park in Liverpool. In 1949 The team also reached the quarter-final stage of the 1964 European Nations Cup, where they lost to eventual champions Spain.
Under the guidance of Jack Charlton, the team enjoyed its most successful period, reaching an all-time high of sixth in the FIFA World Rankings in August 1993, and qualifying for UEFA Euro 1988 for the first time in the UEFA European Championship, which Reached the quarter-finals.
Made their first appearance in the 1990 FIFA World Cup finals as well as making it to the last 16 in the 1994 edition. Charlton’s successor Mick McCarthy lost the next two major tournaments but eventually qualified for the 2002 World Cup, repeating the feat at UEFA Euro 2016 with manager Martin O’Neill making it to the last 16.
Home Stadium
The team’s home stadium is the Aviva Stadium, in Dublin, although some of their home games are played in other stadiums around the country. Their traditional colors are green shirts and white shorts. The current head coach is Stephen Kenny, and the captain is Seamus Coleman.
Giovanni Trapattoni was appointed manager in February 2008 after a spell with assistant coach Don Givens in charge. Trapponi went unbeaten in all ten first-round qualifying games for the 2010 World Cup, winning four out of ten games. Ireland missed out on a place in the final, however, after a controversial, narrow defeat to France in the play-off.
Ireland went 1–0 down in the first leg, and lost 2–1 on aggregate, in extra time in the second leg William Gilles scored a controversial goal after Thierry Henry headed in a cross for Gilles to score. Had handled the ball first. Another controversy then arose over FIFA’s last-minute decision to seed the play-off draw.
Ireland Hosting
In 2011, Ireland hosted and won the inaugural Nations Cup with 0-0 wins against Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.
In the Euro 2012 qualifying group, Ireland finished second, losing only a home match against Russia. They thus reached the playoffs and were drawn against Estonia, whom they defeated 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. However, UEFA announced a special award for the fans of the Irish team, who especially sang in the last few minutes against Spain despite being 4-0 down.
2014 World Cup
Ireland was drawn in Group C of UEFA’s 2014 World Cup qualification alongside Germany, Sweden, Austria, the Faroe Islands, and Kazakhstan. On 12 October, Ireland suffered their biggest 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. 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 replace Trapponi as manager, with former team captain Roy Keane as his assistant. He assumed his role when the teams met on 11 November where they won 3–0 against Latvia and drew 0–0 against Poland.
Euro 2016
For the Euro 2016 qualification stage, the Republic of Ireland was draw into Group D against Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Poland, and Scotland. The team played against Gibraltar for the first time, beating them 7–0, and an away draw against World Cup champions Germany a few days later in October 2014.
In 2015
On 8 October 2015, the Republic of Ireland defeated world champions Germany 1–0 in a Euro 2016 qualifier at the Aviva Stadium. Shane Long scored the only goal of the game in the 70th minute in spectacular fashion, rewarding a superb defensive display by the Republic of Ireland. The result hailed as one of the Republic of Ireland’s greatest ever results, guaranteed the Republic of Ireland at least a play-off place, with hopes of automatic qualification still a reality heading into the final against Poland in Warsaw.
Going into the group game. A win, or a 2-2 draw or more, would guarantee at least second place in the group. And ensure automatic qualification for the finals in France. The Republic of Ireland, however, lost 2–1, thus qualifying for the play-offs.
Best Performance
In the final stages of the tournament in France, Ireland was draw into Group E against Italy, Belgium, and Sweden. In their opening match at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris, Wes Hoolahan scored the opener with a superb half-volley from a Seamus Coleman cross. But Sweden equalized when Ciaran Clarke cleared Zlatan’s cross. Attempting to score a goal in his own net. Ibrahimovic, leveled at 1-1.
Against Belgium at the Nova Stade de Bordeaux, Belgium won 3–0 with two goals from Romelu Lukaku. And one from Axel Witsel, Ireland to qualify for the knockout stages against Italy, who had already qualified. Needed to win their last match against. Against Italy at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, Lille, Ireland played strongly. But we were five minutes into stoppage time when Robbie Brady headed in Hoolahan’s cross.
The Republic won 1–0, sending Ireland off as one of the four best teams in third place. On 26 June, Ireland faced France in the Round of 16 in Lyon. Ireland took the lead in the match with an early Robbie Brady penalty. But France won 2–1 to book their place in the quarter-finals. Ireland Football History.
2018 FIFA World Cup
The 2018 World Cup qualification draw took place on 25 July 2015. When the team was draw into Group D against Austria, Georgia, Moldova, Serbia, and Wales. Ireland started qualification strongly with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Serbia before two impressive victories over Georgia and Moldova.
On 12 November 2016, Ireland beat Austria in Vienna to top their 2018 World Cup qualifying group. However, a run of three draws against Wales, Austria, and Georgia followed by a disastrous 1-0 defeat. At home to Serbia has dimmed the Republic of Ireland’s chances of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup. The Republic of Ireland returned to form soon after. However, thanks to a brace from Daryl Murphy as they secured a 2-0 victory at home to Moldova. Ireland Football History.
In 2017
On 9 October 2017, Ireland qualified for the qualification play-offs by beating Wales 1–0 in Cardiff. After James McClean’s goal lifted Ireland to second place in the group. They went to play Denmark in the playoffs. Ireland Football History.
In the first leg of the play-offs on 11 November, Ireland drew 0–0 against Denmark in Copenhagen. In the second leg on 14 November in Dublin, Ireland lost 5–1 to Denmark after leading the game. Shane Duffy’s early header gave the Republic of Ireland hope of qualifying for their first World Cup since 2002. However, a goal from Andreas Christensen, a Christian Eriksen hat-trick, and a late Nicklas Bendtner penalty dashed Irish dreams. Stolen.
UEFA Nations League
Ireland competed in the inaugural UEFA Nations League from September to November 2018. And finished bottom of their group with just two points from two 0–0 draws. Against Denmark, relegating them to League C for the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League. Ireland Football History.
On 21 November 2018, Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane left their posts with the Ireland senior team following poor results. For more details click here