Football Association Of Ireland

We have the predicted starting teams for the Republic of Ireland v Denmark this evening, knowing an Irish win will secure automatic qualification for Euro 2020.

Mick McCarthy, Ireland manager
“There’s always a big performance in us that can win a game. We drew in Denmark and had a few chances. Nevertheless, it was a great performance and a great result for us. If I don’t believe it, I might as well go home and I’m not going home any time soon. People’s opinions don’t concern me because it’s on the day. You can be better all the time round but I’ve seen a lot of cup finals.”

Åge Hareide, Denmark coach

“Our players have respect for Ireland. I have said it myself: the team looks good, they are well organised, they are hard to beat,” said Hareide.

“All our players say they don’t like to play Ireland, and that means respect when players say that because if you said you love to play Ireland, there would be a difference.”

Posted by voc1967 on Monday 18 November 2019 - 12:00:47 | Comments: 0  |  

The Republic of Ireland missed the chance to qualify for Euro 2020 on Tuesday as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat against Switzerland and had Seamus Coleman sent off.

Switzerland capitalised on a good start in the 16th minute as Haris Seferovic swept home, giving the Republic of Ireland - who could have qualified with a victory - a mountain to climb.

Posted by voc1967 on Tuesday 15 October 2019 - 20:59:53 | Comments: 0  |  

The Republic of Ireland can seal their place at Euro 2020 with a win tonight.

Mick McCarthy's side head into this evening's away match in Switzerland still unbeaten in Group D.Ireland sit top the table - and are level on points with second placed Denmark.

McCarthy is expecting a tough, tight, game tonight.“I sincerely hope with 20 minutes to go, that is the case.“If you consider the way the results went, our point against Georgia looks like a good point, strangely enough.

Posted by voc1967 on Tuesday 15 October 2019 - 15:24:57 | Comments: 0  |  

Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy described the goalless draw against Georgia in Tbilisi as "a point gained."

Ireland hit the post through John Egan early on but had to live without possession for much of the game as they failed to capitalise on Denmark's perceived slip-up in the same venue in September.

McCarthy acknowledged that Ireland didn't use possession well enough over the course of the 90 minutes but stressed that he was happy with the point in a difficult venue and said that goalkeeper Darren Randolph hadn't to save in the entire game.

"It's a point gained," he told RTÉ Sport's Tony O'Donoghue after the match.

Posted by voc1967 on Saturday 12 October 2019 - 15:59:30 | Comments: 0  |  

Georgia have yet to beat Ireland in 10 previous meetings but Mick McCarthy is urging caution today.

When Ireland were last in Tbilisi during the World Cup 2018 campaign, Shane Duffy got Martin O’Neill’s charges off to a flyer with a fourth-minute goal.

But what followed was a torturous watch as Ireland laboured to a 1-1 draw – Georgia’s standalone result against the Boys in Green.

To make matters worse, Ireland finished with just 26 per cent possession having been passed off the park.Georgia’s recent scoreless draw with Denmark has also put the Irish boss on guard ahead of game that could be played in 25 degrees..

“Please understand, we respect Georgia as they’re a very good team,” said McCarthy yesterday.

Posted by voc1967 on Saturday 12 October 2019 - 09:19:54 | Comments: 0  |  

Ireland's experimental line-up emerged victorious in a friendly match with Bulgaria that sprung into life late in Dublin tonight.

Two late goals helped a second-string Republic of Ireland side beat Bulgaria 3-1 in Tuesday's friendly in Dublin.

After a dull first half, Alan Browne poked the Irish ahead on 56 minutes after Bulgaria keeper Hristo Ivanov had failed to hold a Ronan Curtis shot.

Ivelin Popov levelled a from penalty on 67 but Kevin Long's header restored the Republic's lead on 83.Debutant Jack Byrne and Enda Stevens superbly set up a further late goal for another Irish newcomer James Collins.

Posted by voc1967 on Tuesday 10 September 2019 - 21:06:07 | Comments: 0  |  

When Mick McCarthy came into the job as Republic of Ireland manager – second time around – it was straight into competitive actio.

His team got straight to the task and they sit top of the table on Group D – with the benefit on Sunday of dropped points for Denmark against Georgia.

“I’m delighted it was a draw but the onus is still on us to go out there now and pick up points in October,” said McCarthy talking about the scoreless game in Georgia for the Danes.

It is a different task on Tuesday with Bulgaria coming to the Aviva for a friendly. It provides the chance for McCarthy to give game time to some of his extended squad during a brief respite from it being all about the results.

Posted by voc1967 on Monday 09 September 2019 - 09:06:33 | Comments: 0  |