Ireland

'Israel stopped caring': Irish columnist contrasts teams ahead of contentious soccer match

Ireland's players discussed the possibility of staging some form of protest before the match, but Early questioned what such a gesture would mean if they were going to take the field regardless.

Team of Israel during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy.
September 24, 2026 Republic of Ireland's Conor Coventry with teammates look dejected after the match with Kosovo.

Shameful, immoral hypocrites: An open letter to the Irish soccer team - opinion

People block the Garvaghy road, a Catholic enclave in the largely Protestant town of Portadown, on the day members of the Protestant Orange Order are expected to march through the area as they take part in the annual Drumcree parade, Northern Ireland, September 27, 2026.

Protesters block road into Catholic area of Northern Ireland after court approves Protestant parade

September 24, 2026 Republic of Ireland's Conor Coventry with teammates look dejected after the match with Kosovo.

Football, politics must stay separate, IFA says after Irish team approves Nations League game


Soccer: Israel's Abu Farchi sent off after controversial gun gesture celebration

Israel forward Saied Abu Farchi was shown a red card after celebrating his goal against Austria by using the corner flag to mimic a gun, leaving Israel with 10 players in a 3-1 Nations League defeat.

Israel's forward #22 Saied Abu Farchi (top L) celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Nations League Group B3 football match between Austria and Israel in Linz, Austria on September 24, 2026.

Ireland soccer manager thanks prime minister for support over genocide claims ahead of Israel match

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin defended coach Heimir Hallgrimsson after he claimed that Ireland wasn't "playing with genocide, we're playing against genocide."

Pro-Palestinian protest in Ireland, September 13, 2026.

'No cure for stupidity': Israel's Football Association blasts Irish coach's calls to boycott match

The coach's comments followed an open letter asking the Ireland national football team to boycott its upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel.

Head Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson of Republic of Ireland looks on prior to the International Friendly match between Republic of Ireland and North Macedonia at Aviva Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Dublin, Ireland.

Zelensky holds undisclosed tarmac meeting with CIA chief John Ratcliffe in Ireland - report

Ratcliffe's meeting with Zelensky comes less than a month after the CIA chief traveled to Moscow to meet with Russia's top intelligence officials.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade, Serbia, August 8, 2026.

Irish athletes group urges national team to boycott matches against Israeli soccer team

Irish Sport for Palestine said the signatories included Olympian Ciara Mageean, former footballer Louise Quinn, former rugby flyhalf Tony Ward, and boxers Tyrone McKenna and Eric Donovan.

Demonstrators hold a banner urging the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to boycott upcoming UEFA fixtures with Israel, in support of Palestinians during a protest in relation to the ceasefire in Gaza, in Dublin, Ireland, February 21, 2026.

Ireland will not participate in 2027 Eurovision, broadcaster announces, citing situation in Gaza

RTÉ also stated that it remains "deeply concerned by the continued denial of independent access to international journalists to the territory."

A man holds Irish and Palestinian flags as people protest calling for governments around the world to stop arming Israel during a demonstration in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Dublin, Ireland, June 15, 2024

Ed Sheeran's supporting acts quit US tour after Macklemore dropped over pro-Palestine comments

AOC said earlier on Wednesday that she is boycotting Sheeran over the Macklemore controversy, accusing pro-Israel philanthropist Robert Kraft of attempting to censor speech on "the genocide in Gaza."

Singer Ed Sheeran appears on NBC's "Today" show at Rockefeller Center in New York, U.S., June 6, 2023.

Trump says US could stay in Iran and keep oil, like Venezuela deal

"We'll ultimately get out (of Iran), unless we decide to stay and keep the oil like Venezuela," Trump said, adding that the US revenue from Venezuela has "paid for the war many times."

Iran flag at a Persian Gulf oil facility, July 2005

Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland to sign joint declaration demanding self-determination - report

The summit will take place in Cardiff, where ministers are expected to sign a joint declaration demanding the right to self-determination and to be allowed to hold independence referendums.

Scottish First Minister John Swinney (L) delivers a statement on the 2026 Programme for Government at Scottish Parliament on September 1, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Trump says Iran probably responsible for attack on Saudi pipeline

Trump told reporters that Iran was likely responsible for an aerial attack launched from Iraq on Saudi Arabia that shut down its East-West pipeline.

US President Donald Trump meets with Ireland's Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Micheal Martin (not pictured) at Farmleigh House in Dublin, Ireland, September 12, 2026.