Tag Archives: ireland international football

The countdown is well and truly on for the massive World Cup qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Wales at the Aviva Stadium in two weeks’ time. As both Martin O’Neill and Chris Coleman finalise their squads, one Championship manager has expressed his belief that his star player could be involved in the crucial clash. Former Galway United man …

Although Gareth Bales, Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey are the first names that come to mind when the Wales national team is mentioned, their side is equipped with a number of other talented players. Their run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals was no fluke. Granted the above trio in particular had a major role to play, but the togetherness of the …

Castigated and celebrated in equal measure throughout his international career, Aiden McGeady is arguably the Republic of Ireland’s most marmite player when it comes to supporter opinion.  Ahead of Ireland’s qualifying campaign-defining game versus Wales later this month in Dublin, the Scotland-born wideman is, however, seemingly after hitting a new gear on loan from Everton at Preston North End. This …

In part one of a series celebrating Irish football’s most successful League of Ireland graduates, we take an in-depth look at the role the LOI had to play in the early years of Republic of Ireland legend Paul McGrath’s career. From George Best and Bobby Charlton to John Giles, from Dixie Dean and Jimmy Johnson to Damien Duff, many of …

Following Claudio Ranieri’s controversial sacking on Thursday, Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill was one of the first names tipped to replace him. The Derry native enjoyed a very successful five-year period with the Foxes in the late 1990’s. With the side dropping into the relegation zone yesterday, fans were begging for the club to go after a proven coach …

Preston have been hot on the lips of Ireland fans of late given their strong contingent of current and potential internationals. Between Daryl Horgan’s quick transition and Aiden McGeady’s resurrection at Deepdale, Preston North End has become a sanctuary for the Irish. The number of Irish internationals could be set to increase too, with Kilburn Times journalist Rob Brennan (via Balls.ie) …

Over the weekend Preston, a club with a substantial Irish contingent, recorded a 4-2 victory over Brentford. Daryl Horgan scored his first goal for the Lilywhites since joining from Dundalk, but it was Aiden McGeady who grabbed all the headlines. McGeady’s place was said to be under threat by the Galwegian following his Europa League heroics. Horgan is a tremendous talent …

The FAI pulled off a major coup by appointing Englishman Colin Bell to the Republic of Ireland Women’s team. A Champions League-winning coach, Bell represents a signal of intent.  However, some appointments by the organisation in the past have been questionable. Signing up Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane has been a masterstroke so far, but many Irish fans have divided opinions on …

Gareth Bale is expected to be fit for next month’s crunch World Cup qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Wales. The Irish Times report that the Real Madrid star is on course to return from injury to line up at the Aviva Stadium in March. Bale was injured while playing for Real Madrid in the Champions League and has been …

Although it is possibly still fresh in the minds of Irish football fans, Ireland’s bizarre 2-1 victory over lowly San Marino reached its ten-year anniversary this week (February 7). Despite being a strong Ireland team on paper, the Boys in Green struggled to get to grips with one of world football’s worst ever teams. Stephen Ireland popped up with a last-minute winner in …

With the Premier League promotion race hotting up, here we assess the best possible outcome for the Irish national team.  With the Irish contingent in the Premier League low, Martin O’Neill will be hoping more players will be appearing in the top flight next season. David Meyler and Stephen Ward were the only two Irish players to gain promotion last …

Robbie Keane will not be signing for Al-Ahli after photos of him training with the club fuelled a wildfire of speculation. The Irish Independent claim that the 36-year-old was invited to train with the Dubai-based side during a family holiday in the Emirates. After months as a free agent, it was widely expected that Keane would sign with the wealthy club …

Last week Conor Hourihane completed his long touted transfer to Aston Villa. This move is a signal of intent from the Cork man, who will be hoping to force his way into the Ireland squad for next month’s World Cup qualifier against Wales. This season has been one of the best for Irish players domestically in many years. To name a few, Daryl …

As the transfer window reached its climax, Seamus Coleman’s name appeared in more and more transfer headlines. A move to Manchester United has been touted for years now with the full-back’s odds slashed over a move to Old Trafford in the dying embers of the transfer window on Tuesday night. The rumours never developed into reality with Coleman himself confirming that no …

The Irish Mirror are reporting that Burnley have joined the list of clubs looking to sign Robbie Brady. Since the opening of the transfer window, Brady has been heavily tipped for a move away from Norwich City who have struggled in their promotion push this season. Brady was expected to leave the Canaries following their relegation last season, colliding with Brady’s …

Aiden McGeady on Saturday afternoon displayed some absolute brilliance to set up Callum Robinson for Preston North End’s lead goal against Arsenal. The Irish international winger showed some quick feet and an outrageous turn before feeding striker Jordan Hugill, whose collision with an Arsenal defender meant the ball fell neatly to Robinson who finished sublimely. With the Scottish-born player a much criticised …

Since the opening of the transfer window, Robbie Brady has become the subject of a speculated bidding war. Expected to leave last summer, the Norwich City man was one of Ireland’s star performers at Euro 2016. The Irish Independent have linked Brady with moves to Leicester City, West Ham United and Crystal Palace while Newcastle-based outlet Chronicle Live have linked the Baldoyle man with …

With fear over a lack of Irish talent emerging from academies in England, a number of bright prospects have burst onto the scene this season across the Irish sea. The talent pool in Ireland seems to be growing too with Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle making moves to Preston while other League of Ireland players like Sean Maguire, Brandon Miele …