Raf Diallo

RTÉ Sport Journalist

28 May 2026; Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson before the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Qatar at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Hallgrimsson: Boycotting Israel ties would cost Ireland

Heimir Hallgrimsson is opposed to boycotting his Republic of Ireland side's two Nations League fixtures with Israel, as he does not wish to gift them six points.

Soccer • 30 May

Owen Elding of Republic of Ireland before the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Qatar at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Watching brief whets Elding's appetite for Ireland action

On Thursday night, 28,981 spectators congregated within the Aviva Stadium to watch the Republic of Ireland see off Qatar in their international friendly. There was another interested observer who was a little closer to the action.

Soccer • 31 May

Ten-man Ireland edge Qatar amid tennis ball protests

Nathan Collins scored the only goal of the game as Republic of Ireland saw off a limited Qatar side in their friendly at Aviva Stadium on Thursday, amid the backdrop of a tennis ball protest by supporters within in opposition to the staging of the Nations League fixtures against Israel.

Soccer • 28 May

Jack Moylan of Republic of Ireland arrives before the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Qatar at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Team news: Moylan starts in seasoned side to face Qatar

Jack Moylan will win his second cap for the Republic of Ireland after being named to start in tonight's friendly against Qatar at Aviva Stadium.

Soccer • 28 May

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson clears tennis balls from the pitch during the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Qatar at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Stoppages frustrate but Heimir respects right to protest

Heimir Hallgrimsson says he respects the right of Irish fans to protest against the staging of the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Israel, even if the first half delays frustrated him.

Soccer • 29 May

Seamus Coleman during a Republic of Ireland media conference at FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin.

'Israel games issue should have been dealt with above us'

Séamus Coleman says questions about the Republic of Ireland's fixtures against Israel should be addressed by governing bodies rather than the responsibility being placed on the players and coaches to speak out.

Soccer • 28 May

Euros and youthful team-mates energising clubless Coleman

For Séamus Coleman, there are only two certainties in his footballing life right now: Qatar and Canada.

Soccer • 27 May

Troy Parrott and team-mates during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin.

Parrott fit as Ireland lean on experience against Qatar

Heimir Hallgrimsson intends to go with an experienced starting side when the Republic of Ireland line out against Qatar at Aviva Stadium tonight, while star striker Troy Parrott has been declared fit.

Soccer • 28 May

Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson during a Republic of Ireland media conference at FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin.

Players 'not the bad guys' amid Israel issue - Heimir

Heimir Hallgrimsson says placing the onus on players in regard to fulfilling the Republic of Ireland's upcoming fixtures against Israel would be "unfair".

Soccer • 27 May

Joe McCarthy of Leinster and teammates during the Investec Champions Cup final match between Leinster and Union Bordeaux Bégles at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain.

Champions Cup final recap: Leinster 19-41 Bordeaux

Leinster chase a fifth star in Bilbao ended in defeat as Bordeaux-Begles retained their Investec Champions Cup title in style.

Rugby • 23 May