User:Jnestorius/Republic of Ireland national football team

Infobox National football team The Republic of Ireland national football team represents the Republic of Ireland in international matches in association football (soccer). It is governed by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). Northern Ireland is represented by a separate team governed by the Irish Football Association (IFA), which had organised the original all-island Ireland team prior to the Partition of Ireland in 1920-22. The FAI team currently competes as Republic of Ireland, having previously competed as the Irish Free State (1926-36) and Ireland (1936-53).

The FAI team had little success until the 1980s, reflecting soccer's status as a minority sport, with the FAI having little funding and part-time management. Under manager Jack Charlton, the team reached a first major finals at Euro 88 and captured the public imagination by reaching the quarter-finals of the 1990 World Cup. It has remained fairly competitive since, reaching further World Cups in 1994 and 2002. Since 2002, with several changes of manager, performances have been inconsistent, causing debate and discontent among supporters.

Beginnings
The FAI was founded in 1921 after Dublin-based clubs became dissatisfied with the Belfast-dominated IFA. Although support for the rival associations largely reflected the political border, both associations claimed to represent the entire island. In 1923, the FAI was admitted to FIFA as the FA of the Irish Free State (FAIFS), excluding Northern Ireland. The IFA and the other Home Nations recognised the FAIFS as having Dominion status, subordinate to themselves. Thus, the IFA could select Free State players but not vice-versa.

The Olympic Council of Ireland sent a team of amateur players to the 1924 Olympic football competition in Paris, which lost to the Netherlands in the quarter finals after extra time. The team beat Estonia and the United States in friendlies before leaving France. The first full international was not until 1926; when Italy had a comfortable 3-0 win in Turin. The Irish team was made up of part-time League of Ireland players as no British-based players were released for the midweek match. A return match was held in 1927 in Lansdowne Road, hired by the FAIFS from the Irish Rugby Football Union. Italy sent a B team, the A team playing France the previous day. Nevertheless, the FAIFS regarded this as the first home international and awarded caps accordingly. British-based players were released by their clubs, but then withdrawn.

The FAI's strained relations with the IFA clouded those with the other Home Nations, so that matches against them did not occur till after World War II. Negotiations with the IFA to field a joint international side failed in 1924 and again in 1932. When the IFA amateur team capped three Free State players in 1930, the FAIFS suspended them; the IFA asked permission to cap more in 1931, which was refused. Though four English-based players were capped against Belgium in 1929, the English FA withdrew co-operation in the 1930s while the Free State League operated an "Open Door" policy of poaching British-based players who were out of contract. Against Switzerland on Saint Patrick's Day 1936, the FAI team further annoyed the IFA by dropping "Free State" from its title and playing as "Ireland" for the first time, anticipating the 1937 Constitution's changing the name of the state. The FAI also asserted the right to pick players from Northern Ireland, anticipating the 1937 territorial claim. The first planned Northern player was injured, and the next was withheld by the English FA; then several inferior players were capped. Jimmy Dunne in 1937 and Dicky Lunn in 1938 were more notable Northerners with FAI caps. However, and others pressed by the IFA declined to play. The IFA continued to cap up to four Southerners per match. Fictures rarely clashed, so such players often won caps from both teams. Tom Farquharson caused some surprise in 1931 by playing for the FAIFS agasinst Spain rather than for the IFA. In 1938, Tommy Breen played for the IFA against Scotland rather than the World Cup qualifier against Norway

Trips to or from opponents on mainland Europe were expensive, and the team played only eight times in 1926-33. In 1934, FIFA agreed to assist the FAIFS in arranging friendly matches, and 19 were played in the following six years. Early results were poor. The Sabbatarian IFA refused to release its clubs' players for Sunday matches, while English-based players were not released till after their League matches on Saturday, often necessitating an overnight boat-trip to arrive in Dublin for kick-off. Team selection varied wildly; Paddy Moore, star of the impressive 1-1 draw with Spain in Barcelona in 1931, was dropped for the return game in Dalymount Park, which Spain won 5-0. Coaches were appointed on a match-by-match basis, but a selection committee picked the team and the only coaching was "a cup of tea and a chat" on the morning of the game.

The FAIFS committee was dominated by the leading clubs, whose interests were placed ahead of the national team's. Training for a 1934 World Cup qualification match was postponed due to Free State Cup fixtures, and 2 of the the international match side played Free State League matches the day before. A proposed international in 1937 was dropped in favour of an inter-League match. The FAI also shared British suspicion of substitutions : in the 1933 World Cup draw with Belgium, Belgium substituted an injured player, but the Irish did not.

Ryan25: TRAINER Val Harris Ryan28: Paddy Moore 4 goals v Belg Ryan33: COACH: Billy Lacey 1936 Ryan33	5-2 win over Germany Ryan36: Only 3 UK players released for WC quals Ryan42: 1938: 5/6 UK players released Ryan43: Douglas Hyde attends match (removed as GAA patron) Ryan44: 19-3-1939 HUN in Mardyke, overshadowed by 17-3 SL v LOI Ryan47: 1939: respectablilty, away draws v Germany and Hungary

Postwar
Ryan48: 1946: LOI players moved to UK quicker to fill postwar vacancies Ryan49: selection cmomittee dominated by LOI club reps, biased to own clubs Ryan49	IFA no protest over FAI NI players on Iberian tour Byrne46: FAI may have selected NI because of shortage of Southern talent Byrne46: 2 losses, FAI did not select NI players again Byrne59: some public resentment at NI players in squad, FAI did not select NI players again Ryan50: 1946: v England Ryan50	Mick O'Flanagan phoned at work at 1:50 to play England at 5:30 Ryan51: (narrow 1-0 loss) NI call up 5-7 ROI players till 1950 Ryan52: 1947: 42000 v Spain but Dalymount bursting Byrne51: stopped 3 times for pitch invasions; 3rd Gardai cleared pitch Ryan53: 1948: defeat to lowly Swi: 8 players had rough crossing on night boat Byrne53: Eng-based palyers often picked up injuries day before match Ryan53	unsuccesssful expreimenting and changeability Byrne53: BEL 1949 tried using more LOI players, backfired Ryan54: 1948: English players turn up, any gaps plugged by LOI call-ups Ryan54	selectors and captain make substitutions+switches Ryan54	LOI players being phased out Ryan56: 1949 Finland WCQ < 23000 in Dalymount Byrne57: 4 new forwards for FIN WCQ Ryan57: 2-0 win over England at Goodison Ryan59: IFA-FAI duals played for 2 teams in WCQs; FAI protest to FIFA Byrne59: FAI pressue RoI players not to play for IFA team Byrne59: declaration of Republic + leaving Commonwealth emphasised growing gap in societies Ryan60: FAI declines invitation to compete in WC due to cost. Ryan62: 1950: Yugoslavia match called off due to Catholic protests Ryan62	no LOI players v Norway for first time Ryan63: ageing squad, too few matches Ryan63	COACH 1951-53 Dugald Livingstone (FAI int-n + LOI int-l) Ryan64: 1951 Arg Daly 40000 all-ticket Byrne65-6: AUS lose 6-0 away 1952; win 3-0 home 1953 Ryan66: 1952 selectors + captain tactical midmatch switches Ryan67: 1952 France 40000 Dalym gates broken Ryan68: France game for Sun: bigger crowd, tireder players Ryan68	COACH Alec Stevenson Ryan68	1953 FRA 45000 record crowd Ryan70: new coach didnt know individual players. Byrne68 1953 FAI sought exclusive use of "Ireland"; Eng/NI called team "Eire", often considered derogatory Ryan70	1954: FIFA: ROI and NI; IFA allowed to use "Ireland" in BHC Ryan71: 1954: all but 2 UK players released on Thurs for Sun match Ryan71	1955: only 17000 vs Holland Ryan72: 1955: Sean Fallon dropped forever for demanding pocket money on tour Ryan72	22000 at Yugoslavia game, boycotted by Archb McQuaid Ryan73: 1955: MANAGER: Jackie Carey Ryan74: 1955 Spain 40000 Dalym gates broken Ryan75: 1956: there was a trainer as well as Carey the manager Ryan75	1956: Joe Cunningham of Shamrock Rovers not officially a seector but powerful till late 1960s Byrne72: 1956 v GER 7 LOI players; not remarkable; but soon LOI players phased out Ryan78: 1957 v England 47500 all-ticket record Dalym; 1-0 John Atyeo 90th min Ryan80: 1958: no intl youth team Ryan80	minutes: changes (in 2nd match of tour) by mgr consulting with selectors Ryan80	Liam Whelan Munich disaster Ryan81: false econnomy and poor planning would remain a problem up to the 80s Ryan81	LOI players got no expenses on tour, UK players did; MGR assented Ryan82: 1 official on tour for every 2 players. Ryan82	main problem was asking players to play twice in 24 hrs Ryan83: 1959: Eur Nat Cup vs Cze: Ireland fixture first to be completed. Ryan83	team hotel in Prague v noisy sleepless night Ryan84: small pool of players, one or two off form or missing made all the difference Ryan85: 1959 Charley Hurley: Roker Park Sat, taxi to statiomn, train to Holyhead, boat to Dub, arrive 7am Sun Ryan86: no continuity of players Ryan88: 1960 selectors reluctant to pick players over 30; selectors based on time spent at committees rather than football knowledge Ryan89: 2 players at Man U: when team needed them, IRL squad hit hard Ryan91: early 60s, fewer good players as other countries improved Ryan91	1961 record 7-1 defeat by CZE; lost all four WCQ games Ryan91	1962 Dalym floodlights installed Ryan91	1965 FAI switch from Sun to Weds night games Ryan92: 1962 FIFA congress Santiago decides to allow father's nationality from 1966 WCQ Ryan92	1963: selection committee split, favouring own LOI club's players, horse-trading Ryan93: Charlie Hurley exhorts Dalym crowd for support during 1-0 win over SCO Ryan94: 1963: still 30 yoa is dangerous age Ryan95: 1963: pitch invasion near end of 3-2 Dalym win over AUS 40000 crowd Byrne83: AUS also pitch invasion at half-time Ryan95	Man U withdrew 2 players from SPN game Ryan97: 1964 lack of medical officer, player playing while unfit Ryan97	individuals brought together on the day Byrne83: 1964 v ENG Willie Browne (Bohs) last amateur capped Ryan98: 1965 v BEL first floodlit Dalym intl Ryan98	Shay Brennan first 2nd-gen cap [in ENG panel for 1962 WC] Byrne85: FIFA introduced ancestry rule in 1964 Byrne87: FAI pref for 2Eng-based players undermined LoI (as did television abroad] Ryan98	SPN WC 9 Eng Div1 players, 2 LOI Ryan100: Eric Barber played 2nd leg with bad toothache Ryan101: unlucky 1-0 loss in Stade Colombes, but players near end of career Byrne89: SPN playoff in Fra as SPN agreed to pay expenses; FIFA inclined to Wembley. 30000 SPN supports in Colombes Byrne87: intl structures changing, IRL slow to adapt; selection cmmtee, no mgr. Ryan102: 1966 played SPN on Sun not Weds for bigger gate receipts Ryan103: Alfie Hale late replacement for away game as he had a passport Byrne90 1966-12-7 John Dempsey second Eng-born cap Ryan103	1967 TRK loss Carey resigns as mgr; relied on selectors for LOI formguide; accepted limits imposed by FAI on his role Ryan104:	Carey good mgr at Blackburn/Everton, but only met IRL squad on the Sunday Ryan104	Carey era clubs pulled out players "injured" and played them next Weds Ryan105:	Carey father figure, calm, not aggressive, let players work it out Ryan105	team players: 1-2 world class; 3-4 intl class; rest make up numbers Ryan106: 1967 MANAGER Charlie Hurley interim Ryan106	only 6500 [Byrne 8500] for CZE ECQ at Dalym Byrne83: consolation win in CZE last game Ryan106	Noel Cantwell forced to decline mgr job as Coventry mgmt took priority Ryan107: no wins Nov 1967-Jun 1972 (21 games) Ryan107	01-05-1968 MANAGER Cantwell for Poland game Ryan108:	Cantwell again decline mgmt, so Hurley back for next game. Ryan109:	Giles had bad game, 2 big league games in prev 6 days Ryan110:	Giles dropped for not trying; too much reliant on him

Improved management
Ryan111:	08-06-1969: Hurley retires as manager and player. Ryan111	Giles fed up of amateur setup. Ryan111	MANAGER Mick Meagan Byrne94 Meagan had "full executive powers for team matters" -- contradicts Ryan? Byrne94 Meagan installed as mgr of Drogheda -- FAI felt a home base was better Ryan112:	21-09-1969: Meagan plays himself against FAI stipulation Ryan112	02-10-1969: Giles-led player committee meets selectors to demand anager as sole selector; member Frank O'Neill dropped Ryan113:	06-10-1969: Andy McEvoy refuses to come on as sub v CZE as it was raining Ryan114:	FAI chose tough opponents for friendlies for gates; players always chasing the game Ryan114	1970: Pol-Ger train trip: overbooked train: players in luggage car, officials in passenger car. Ryan114	1970: Meagan added to selection committee Ryan115:	1970: 30000 Dalym crowd biggest for some time Byrne96: April 1971 GAA removes Rukle 29 "foreign" games ban [Liam Brady expelled from St Aidan's for captaining IRL v WAL rather tahn school gah match Byrne96: Waterford had used Lansdowne for ManU 68 and Celtic 70; more seating; FAI initially hostile "Dalymount roar" valued; but Bohs couldn't maintain it. Ryan116:10-05-1971: Lansdowne for v ITA; training Fri-Sat-Sun for first time Byrne97: crowd 25000 smaller, but more seats meant more revenue; no lease with IRFU till 1977 Ryan116	team often conceded early goal, left chasing the game Ryan118: under selectors: Ryan118	 players played to please crowd to get picked; under manager, did what told. Ryan118	 provincial LOI disadvantaged Ryan118	 English players didn't respect system, compared to club managers Ryan117:	30-05-1971: Meagan pressed to resign due to lack of success Ryan118:	officials on trip for good time Ryan119:	MANAGER: Liam Tuohy, mgr of LOI team. retainer as well as match-fee Ryan119	all matches to be played Weds not Sun Ryan119	10-10-1971 [Sun] in AUS 6-0, only 3 Eng players released; one fulltime pro; 6 new caps Ryan120:	Peter Thomas naturalised after 5 yrs at Waterford, won 2 caps Ryan121	June 1972 Brazil mundialito squad got to know each other [some missing incl Giles] W2-L2; wins boosted morale Ryan123	01-12-1972 Tuohy resigns: manager Shamrock R, salesmgr HB, overcommitted. FAI persuade to stayfor WCQ end Ryan123	Heighway tired pulls out; Tuohy furious Ryan125:	19-05-1973 FRA-IRL live on RTE first time Ryan126:	Tuohy strong manager, organisation, told FAI what to do Ryan126	MANAGER (caretaker) Sean Thomas 06-06-1973 in NOR Ryan127:	MANAGER Giles [still at Leeds]; a bit reluctant. gathers players for 3-day session The bald truth about Mancini from the Irish Examiner By Liam Mackey July 23 2005 :"I turned to Don Givens and said, ‘for f**k’s sake, their national anthem goes on a bit’ and he said, ‘that’s ours, Terry’" Ryan128:	1974 mostly 2nd-div players Ryan128	some critics says Giles selfish player, overcautious Ryan129:	Giles philosophy: keep the ball. Repectable results in summer SAm tour give confidence. Ryan129	TRAINER/COACH: Alan Kelly Ryan130:	pick best team, incl Heighway Ryan131:	3-0 win over USSR, Don Given hattrick Ryan132:	switch to LAnsdown for SWI 50000 double revenue (Sat as no Sun IRFU) lost some atmoshpere of crowd by pitch Ryan133:	FAI ply USSR-SWI away back-to-back trip: save money, lose matches. Loss to SWI cost ECQ Ryan134:	29-10-1975: Dalym v TUR: crowd missiles at GK, Garda intervene, match held up; floodlights failed Ryan134	Fans did not always support Giles Ryan137:	1976-7: Mark Lawrenson Irish mother debut Ryan138:	1977: in BUL: Irl disallowed goal; major brawl; 2+2 sent off; BUL win; hotel damaged later by IRL players Ryan138	Giles after 2 years a ply-mgr of WBA goes to Shamrock Rvs Ryan139:	Giles PR not good Byrne107: 2 disallowe dgoals cost WCQ Ryan141:	20-09-1978 Lansdowne: first NI match; little trouble, much security; Giles booed for taking off Heighway Ryan142:	1979: journalist "we're not winning the vital matches" Dunphy: "we've never been playing in the vital matches before" Ryan143:	Giles last game played against ARG Byrne109: Chris Hughton first black RoI player, 29-10-79 Ryan145:	1980: Giles resigns as mgr after Cyprus game, living in IRL with mounting public criticism; people assumed he was earning a lot from it. Ryan146: 	Giles era marking aligning of fixture dates with ENG, for player release. McGarrigle92: Steve Heighway missed many IRL for Liverpool games Ryan146	Giles era predated granny rule. Ryan147:	MANAGER Alan Kelly, asst Eoin Hand only 1 game club commmitments Ryan147	MANAGER Hand asst Terry Conroy took over only 34 "one of the lads" 10-11-1980 Pierce O'Leary (Sham Rv) v NTH WC last LOI player in meaningful competitve match Ryan147	4-4-2 system Ryan148	Grass too long at Lansdowne Ryan148	Michael Robinson got passport based on great-grandmother ??! McGarrigle 167 - Robinson's mother got citizenship so he could qualify under the parent rule: was his grandmother a citizen or deceased? Byrne101 Stapleton made release for ROI games coindition of ManU contract 1981 Ryan149	FIFA mandated release of English-club players  [when? Byrne101 says "several years" after 1981, but Byrne115 "some time earlier" than 1981] Ryan149	dubious offside costly against FRA Ryan150	LoI censures Hand as Limerick mgr for failing to fulfil fixture owing to injuries [didn't do so to Giles in 1978] Ryan150	1981 2 controversial refereeing decisions in loss to BEL Ryan151 	Brady lost stamina in Italy as against Arsenal Ryan152	FAI tour to Poland, martial law: officials stayed in Warsaw hotel, team got 5-hr drive to Bygdosz Ryan153	sellout 54000 Lansdowne v FRA Ryan154	A good nucleus but too many making up the numbers, no strength-in-depth Ryan154	NI qual made it harder Ryan155	SAm tour incl ARG in Falklands War; players not released; match cancelled too late; 15 in squad for 3 matches, 1 injured in first Byrne119 FAI forced Hand to plead personally, vainly. LoI squad on tour of NZ. Replacement fixture TRI not told about till before BRZ match Ryan155	undermined confidence in mgr Ryan156	Brazil full-strength for 82 WC won 7-0; Ryan156	T&T won 2-1 embarrassment; Ryan156	no new caps made the grade Ryan157	Hand did not get on with FAI secretary Ryan157	lost home points in 1984 ECQ Ryan157	Liam Tuohy grooming youth squad Ryan158	strong defence, poor scoring Byrne120 Mark Lawrenson filled various positions depending on who else was missing Byrne124: pre-war, LoI players migrated to Eng after a few years: mature, and transfer fees. After, Eng youth teams grown, govt fund, so rawer Irish went over earlier; less LoI funding, lower standard, many players burnt out disillusioned Byrne126: 8-8-1984 only 5100 home game v MEX, lowest ever Byrne128: Feb 1985 v ITA at Dalymount: 40000 turned up, allowed to spill onto touchlines to prevent crushing-- deathknell for Dalymount Ryan160	1-5-1985 top players tired, for NOR game; crowd booed; Hand persuaded not to resign Ryan160	2-6-1985 rested squad 3-0 v SWI Ryan161 	FAI unwilling to let mgr scout opposition matches [also pg 156-7] Ryan161	Hand's wife was "team chef" in USSR trip 13-11-85 Last LOI player in competitive match was Pat Byrne ShamRv v DEN (and Iceland tnmt v CZE May 86) Ryan161	WCQ matches had broken even, FAI in debt; neeed English-based mgr. Byrne132 Opel 4-yr sponsorship deal Ryan162	Hand was 2nd-div player, lacked authority Ryan163	similar tactics to Charlton: more direct route; but no respect from officials, too nice.

Jack Charlton
Ryan164	MANAGER Charlton abrasive to media; Byrne132 Charlton 10-8 Bob Paisley Ryan165	replaced successful Tuohy with pedestrian Setters as underage coach Ryan167	cricised for exerting authority on David O'Leary [May 1986-Nov 1988] Ryan168	seen as favouring English-born over Irish-born Ryan169	Tactically made strong defence; seal flanks, crowd midfield; opponents couldn't pay out of defence Byrne156: Charlton tactics: stay tight in central defence Ryan169	suited English League players Byrne156: Charlton same background as Mick McCarthy Byrne133 recruited Aldridge and Houghton of Oxford Utd Ryan169	Won 1986 Iceland tournament Ryan169	Record had been poor away from home. Ryan171	2-2 v BEL ECQ away heartening Ryan172	SCO win Charlton got good results away from home but not at home Ryan173	1987 Only 26,000 for vital Lansdowne match v BUL Byrne149: Paul McGrath most important player in ECQ Ryan174	Gary Mackay SCO v BUL shock Ryan174	1988 <18000 for pre-EC friendlies Byrne143 Brady and Lawrenson missed tournament injured Byrne144 15000 irish in Stuttgart Ryan175 	Euro 88 "The Boys in Green" ENG won and should have lost; SOV drew and should have won; NTH lost and should have drawn Byrne145 Bonner saves kept in game v ENG; Belanov equaliser was his only chance for SOV; Kieft spin header Ryan175	TV coverage for general public Ryan175	SOV perfect pressure game Ryan176	NTH late tiredness Ryan177	Aldridge and Houghton best Charlton-started players. Ryan177	Triumphant homecoming Byrne149 250000-300000 welcoming fans Ryan177	Sponsorship and profit Byrne150: Aldridge failed to score in first 19 games, less a striker, more pressuring, in Charlton style. Ryan178	Easy qual for WCQ 90 Byrne153: first-ever win against NIR Ryan179	1989 impressive home win over Spain Byrne153: Charlton humiliates Brady by substituting after his mistake gave GER a goal in a friendly Ryan180	1990 Players threatened strike for bigger player pool Byrne157 Mick McCarthy captain after injury to Ronnie Whelan "I want him" from Village magazine by Dave Hannigan May 4 2006 Bernie Slaven sat on the bench during the penalty shoot-out against Romania in Italia 90 but later admitted in his autobiography he was kind of hoping Ireland would lose so he could get home to Middlesbrough to see his beloved dogs. "[Staunton's] frantic pursuit of those who've already played for other countries as embarrassing as it is unnecessary." Byrne159-60: WC90 squad: 21 of 22 players uncontroversial [Waddock out-Slaven in] Ryan181	IRL-ENG poor-quality game Byrne160: 20000 irish in cagliari Byrne161: mundane game Ryan181	IRL's 2 goals came from Bonner kickout-defensive error Ryan182	Dunphy criticism of Charlton in EGY game unpopular; Charlton bust-up Byrne161: Egypt 0-0 lacked sharpness, EGY negative tactics Byren161-2: NTH early pressure+goal, but later IRL broke rhythm and got down the line. Ryan182	NTH last 15 mins no contest Ryan183	ROM pens; Byrne162: ROM more attacking but poor finishing Ryan183	ITA many travelling fans lost tickets to day-trippers from Ireland Byrne163: IRL comfortable most of game but never threatened goal; Schillaci punces on Bonner parry Byrne163: 350-400K at welcome home Ryan184	style of football hated by neutrals Ryan184	FIFA abolish backpass and tackle form behind Ryan186	Schoolboy system - many signed for English clubs and failed Ryan186	Charlton gave first-caps to 21 UK-born and 13 ROI-born Ryan187	1990 ECQ 92 slightly more attacking tactics Byrne169 impressive in wins over TUR Ryan187	lost 3-1 lead in Poznan Ryan190	US Cup 92 Charlton argues with Moran Ryan191 	Mick McCarthy enforcer of Charlton's orders -- did not endear him to squad, backlash when he took over Byrne179 senior players felt not taken 2 (lost) games seriously, upped it for third. Ryan191	Alan Kernaghan not allowed to play for NI Ryan191	Denmark style like Ireland's Ryan192	Seville draw, Roy Keane big impact Ryan193	1993 FAI willing to half-fund Lansdowne floodlights Ryan194	Well-planned 3 away ALB, LAT, LTH end-of-season max points Ryan198	1993 NI scrape draw after bad home loss to SPN; ahead of DEN on goals scored Ryan198	Roy Keane abuses NI players Ryan199	WC94 - Three Amigos Babb, McAteer, Gary Kelly Ryan199	Group of Death Ryan200	Charlton missed Feb mgr briding in NYC, which discussed humidity, substitution [delays] process Ryan200	Good pre-WC friendly results Byrne191: Niall Quin out injured Ryan202	Italy win - 30000 fans - FAI tout tickets Ryan202	Loughlinisland pub 6 afns shot dead Ryan203	MEX struggle in Orlando heat; Charlton argue with linesman, Charlton banned forom dugout Ryan204	IRL-EGY worst of WC90, IRL-NOR of 94 Ryan204	defensive errors v NTH in Orlando (Phelan backpass, Bonner fumble) Byrne 193 IRL never looked good Ryan205	Lukewarm Phoenix Park reception Byrne 193 muted Ryan207	15-2-1995 ENG fans riot Byrne201 win over POR Ryan209	Shock 0-0 in Liechtenstein Byrne201 IRL 37 scoring attempts Ryan209-10	Lack of discipline in training camp up to AUS game: 3-1 loss Ryan211	NI win over AUS got into a playoff, lost easily to NTH Ryan212	Charlton reluctantly retires, pressured from FAI

The improved standing of the national team coincided and came to be associated with a growing optimism in the Republic of Ireland, brought about by the beginnings of both the Celtic Tiger economic boom and the peace process which promised to end the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Mick McCarthy
Ryan214	MANAGER	Mick McCarthy Ryan214	had bust-up with Roy Keane in US Cup 92 Ryan215	again with Keane AWOL for US Cup 96 Ryan216	3-2 defeat by MAC hiilite limations of Phelan and McAteer Ryan216	reshapes 3-5-2 to 4-5-1 Ryan216	U21 MGR Ian Evans Ryan216	U18/16 Brian Kerr

Steve Staunton
The FAI announced on October 17 2005 that the contract of manager Brian Kerr would not be renewed following elimination from the 2006 World Cup Qualifiers. On 9 January 2006 he was replaced by Steve Staunton, who will be mentored until Euro 2008 by Sir Bobby Robson.

Relations with Northern Ireland
Many Roman Catholic/Irish-nationalist soccer fans in Northern Ireland have supported the Republic of Ireland team rather than the Northern Ireland team since the 1980s. This reflects in part the decline the fortunes of the Northern team and the rise in those of the FAI team. It also reflects the view that the IFA is sympathetic to Unionism, and that a disproportionate fraction of IFA team's supporters are militantly anti-nationalist. Six fans watching the FAI team play in the 1994 World Cup were murdered by the Ulster Volunteer Force in a pub in Loughlinisland. The many matches between the two Irish teams since the first in 1979 have exacerbated this view, whereas prior to the Troubles, many Northern Catholics regularly supported the IFA team. The IFA and FAI have co-operated in taking steps to combat sectarianism in Irish football.

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). This ground is to be closed for redevelopment in the period 2007-2009. The first football international played there was a friendly against Italy in 1971; a 5-0 victory over San Marino in a Euro 2008 qualifying match on 15 November 2006 was the last game there before the reconstruction. The all-seater capacity of Landsdowne Road prior to the renovation was 36,000, although higher attendances, using the standing only areas, were permitted for friendly matches. The all seater new stadium will increase capacity for competitive games to 50,000.

Eircom Park.

Prior to the 1980s, the Republic of Ireland played most home games at Dalymount Park, home of Bohemians FC, but progressively more games were played at Lansdowne following a safety review which reduced Dalymount's capacity and the last international match to be played there was against Morocco in 1990. The Republic of Ireland has also played home matches in Tolka Park (twice) and the Royal Dublin Society in Dublin as well in Cork venues Mardyke and Flower Lodge.

Croke Park
With the announcement of the rebuilding of Lansdowne Road, a new venue was required to stage Ireland's home internationals. The only stadium in Ireland capable of holding international football was Croke Park, home of the Gaelic Athletic Association. To accommodate this, the GAA temporarily relaxed its rule governing the playing of so-called "foreign games" on its property. Initially, four Euro 2008 qualifiers will be played at Croke Park during 2007.

Cultural impact

 * Roddy Doyle -- The Van
 * Dermot Bolger -- In High Germany
 * I, Keano

History in major tournaments

 * See comprehensive article: Republic of Ireland national football team - record in major tournaments

World Cup record

 * 1930 Did not enter
 * 1934-1986 Did not qualify
 * 1990 - Quarter-finals
 * 1994 - Round of 16
 * 1998 - Did not qualify
 * 2002 - Round of 16
 * 2006 - Did not qualify

European Championships record

 * 1960-1984 - Did not qualify
 * 1988 - Round 1
 * 1992-2004 - Did not qualify

Notable past players

 * ''See also Category:Republic of Ireland international footballers

Notable players: 1. x/- has/hasnt Byrne chapter title 2. matches as captain [to 1996] 3. goals [to 1996] 4. matches [to 1996] 5. dates capped

Tom Farquharson -/0/0/4 29-31 Pasty Gallagher -/0/0/1 31 Bob Fullam x/0/1/2 26-7 Paddy Moore x/0/7/9 31-6 Kevin O'Flanagan x/0/3/10 37-47 Jackie Carey x/19/3/29 37-53 Jimmy Dunne x/5/12/15 30-9 Paddy Coad x/0/3/11 46-52 Con Martin x/5/6/30 46-56 Peter Farrell x/12/3/28 46-57 Tommy Eglington x/0/2/24 46-55 Noel Cantwell x/22/14/36 53-67 Liam Whelan x/0/0/4 56-7 Joe Haverty -/0/3/32 56-66 Alan Kelly snr -/1/0/47 56-73 Charlie Hurley -/22/2/40 57-69 John Giles x/30/5/59 59-79 Tony Dunne -/4/0/33 62-75 Shay Brennan x/5/0/19 65-70 Ray Treacy -/0/5/42 66-79 Paddy Mulligan -/13/1/50 69-79 Don Givens x/0/19/56 69-81 Steve Heighway -/0/0/34 70-81 Jimmy Holmes -/0/1/30 71-81 Mick Martin -/5/4/52 71-83 Gerry Daly -/0/13/48 73-86 Liam Brady x/13/9/72 74-90 Tony Grealish -/17/8/45 76-85 Frank Stapleton x/30/20/71 76-90 David O'Leary x/2/1/68 76-93 Mark Lawrenson -/1/5/39 77-87 Gerry Peyton -/0/0/33 77-92 Chris Hughton -/0/1/53 79-91 Kevin Moran x/13/6/71 80-94 Seamus McDonough -/0/0/25 81-5 Ronnie Whelan x/5/3/53 81-95 Packie Bonner x/2/0/80 81-96 Kevin Sheedy -/0/9/46 83-93 Mick McCarthy x/22/2/57 84-92 Paul McGrath x/4/8/82 85-96 John Aldridge -/0/19/69 86-96 Ray Houghton -/0/5/67 86-96 John Sheridan -/0/5/34 88-95 Chris Morris -/0/0/35 87-93 Tony Cascarino -/0/14/65 85-96 Niall Quinn x/1/16/61 86-96 Steve Staunton x/1/6/64 88-96 Terry Phelan -/0/0/35 91-6 Roy Keane x/0/1/30 91-6 Gary Kelly x/0/1/18 94-5 Andy Townsend -/32/7/62 89-96 Denis Irwin -/0/1/42 90-6 Alan Kelly jnr -/0/0/15 93-6

Joe Kinnear -/?/?/26 67-75 Eamon Dunphy -/?/?/23 65-71 Eoin Hand -/?/?/20 69-75 Alan Kernaghan -/?/2/22 92-6

Current squad
Clubs are part of the English league system except where noted.

Key historical games
🇮🇹 italy 3 - 0 🇮🇪 Ireland  March 21, 1926. Turin; Friendly; Ireland's first game independent of the IFA

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 england 0 - 2 🇮🇪 Ireland  September 21, 1949. Goodison Park; Friendly; England's first defeat at home to a non-Home Nation side

🇪🇸 spain 1 - 0 🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland November 10, 1965: Stade Colombes, Paris; World Cup qualifying playoff; Was supposed to be played in London (where Irish community would have given huge support), but FAI agreed to move the game to Paris in exchange for 100% of gate money. In front of an almost totally Spanish crowd, the Republic of Ireland lost their best chance of making the finals at that point.

🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland 1 - 2 🇮🇹 italy May 11, 1971:Lansdowne Road; European Championship qualifier; Republic of Ireland's first game at Lansdowne Road

 🇧🇪 belgium 1 - 0 🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland March 25, 1981:Heysel, Brussels; World Cup qualifer; Controversial loss which ultimately cost Ireland qualification for the 1982 FIFA World Cup.

🇧🇷 brazil 7 - 0 🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland May 27, 1982:Uberlândia; Friendly; Republic of Ireland's record defeat

🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland 8 - 0 🇲🇹 malta November 16, 1983: Lansdowne Road; European Championship qualifier; Record victory

🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland 1 - 0 🇧🇷 brazil May 23, 1987:Lansdowne Road; Friendly; Liam Brady scores winner in acclaimed victory

🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland 2 - 0 🇧🇬 bulgaria October 14, 1987: Lansdowne Road; European Championship qualifier; Enabled qualification to first ever major tournament (Euro 88) when on November 11, 1987, Bulgaria lost their last home qualifying game to Scotland 0-1.

🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland 1 - 0 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 england June 12, 1988: Neckarstadion, Stuttgart; European Championship first round

Upset victory in Ireland's first ever match in a major tournament

🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland 1 - 1 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 england June 11, 1990: Stadio Sant'Elia, Cagliari; World Cup first round

Ireland's first ever match in a World Cup Finals tournament

 🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland 0 - 0 🇷🇴 romania; 5 - 4 penalties June 25, 1990:Stadio Luigi FerrarisGenoa; World Cup second round; David O'Leary's famous penalty brought Ireland into last eight

🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland 1 - 0 🇮🇹 italy June 18, 1994: Giants Stadium, East Rutherford; World Cup first round; Unexpected victory over the side who later lost the final on penalties, it was also Ireland's first World Cup win

🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland 1 - 0 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 england February 15, 1995: Lansdowne Road; Friendly; Stadium rioting by English hooligans causes match to be abandoned.

🇱🇮 liechtenstein 0 - 0 🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland;

June 3, 1995: Vaduz; European Championship qualifier; Failure to defeat a nation of population 30,000 with no professional players

 🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland 1 - 0 

September 1, 2001: Lansdowne Road; World Cup qualifier; Acclaimed performance, all but guaranteeing World Cup qualification

 🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland 3 - 0  June 11, 2002: Yokohama, Japan; World Cup first round; The first time Ireland scored more than one goal in a World Cup finals match. Victory ensured qualification to the second round

 🇨🇾 cyprus 5 - 2  🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland 

October 7, 2006. Neo GSP Stadium, Nicosia; European Championship qualifier; Heavy defeat to 103rd team in world led to calls for sacking of manager Steve Staunton and ferocious criticism of the entire team

 🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland 5 - 0 🇸🇲 san marino November 15, 2006: Lansdowne Road; European Championship qualifier; The final game at Lansdowne Road prior to refurbishment.

 🇸🇲 san marino 1 - 2 Republic of Ireland 🇮🇪 February 7, 2007: San Marino; European Championship qualifier; Potentially Irelands worst performance ever despite winning with the last kick of the game, many calling for the sack of Steve Staunton as manager.

Managers

 * Team of selectors (1921-1969)
 * Mick Meagan (1969-1971)
 * Liam Tuohy (1971-1973)
 * Seán Thomas (interim, 1973)
 * Johnny Giles (1973-1980)
 * Alan Kelly Snr (interim, 1980)
 * Eoin Hand (1980-1985)
 * Jack Charlton (1986-1995)
 * Mick McCarthy (1996-2002)
 * Don Givens (interim, 2002)
 * Brian Kerr (2003-2005)
 * Steve Staunton (2006-2007)

All-Time Leaders
1. Steve Staunton 102 2. Niall Quinn 92 3. Tony Cascarino 88 4. Paul McGrath 83 5. Patrick Bonner  80 6. Shay Given 78 7. Kevin Kilbane 76 8. Ray Houghton 73 9. Liam Brady 72 10. Frank Stapleton 71 11. Kevin Moran 71 12. Robbie Keane 71 13. Andy Townsend 70 14. Kenny Cunningham 70 15. John Aldridge 69 16. David O'Leary 68 17. Roy Keane 66 18. Ian Harte 64 19. Damien Duff 64 20. Gary Breen 63
 * Most Caps

1. Robbie Keane 29 2. Niall Quinn 21 3. Frank Stapleton 20 4. Don Givens 19 5. Tony Cascarino 19 6. John Aldridge 19 7. Noel Cantwell 14 8. Gerry Daly 13 9. Jimmy Dunne 12 10. Ian Harte 11
 * Most Goals

Trivia

 * It is often said in Ireland that Germany's common use of a green-coloured away jersey is in recognition of Ireland being the first team to play Germany after World War 2. Despite the fact that Switzerland were actually the Germans' first opponent, this urban myth persists.
 * Gary Kelly is the uncle of Ian Harte. Both players featured in the same squad for Ireland's 2002 World Cup campaign.
 * When Wales play Ireland at Croke Park on 24th March, 2007, it will be the fifth different Dublin venue at which the two sides will have met. The others being Lansdowne Road, Tolka Park, Dalymount Park and the Royal Dublin Society showgrounds.