Republic_of_Ireland_at_the_UEFA_European_Championship
The UEFA European Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA (the Union of European Football Associations). Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations' Cup, changing to the current name in 1968. Starting with the 1996 tournament, specific championships are often referred to in the form "Euro 2008" or whichever year is appropriate. Prior to entering the tournament all teams other than the host nations (which qualify automatically) compete in a qualifying process.
The Republic of Ireland have participated in three European Championship finals, those held in 1988, 2012 and 2016.[1][2][3][4]
The side have played ten matches: winning two, drawing two and losing six. They have scored six goals and conceded sixteen. In 2012, they equalled the worst performance by a team in European Championship history.[5] They finished bottom of their group and were the first team eliminated from the tournament following a 4–0 defeat to Spain in their second game. In 2016, the nation reached the second round for the first time, following a 1–0 group stage victory against Italy.
| UEFA European Championship record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Position | |
 1960 |
Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | Preliminary round | ||||||||
 1964 |
6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 12 | Quarter-finals | |||||||||
 1968 |
6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 3/4 | |||||||||
 1972 |
6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 17 | 4/4 | |||||||||
 1976 |
6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 5 | 2/4 | |||||||||
| 1980 |
8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 3/5 | |||||||||
 1984 |
8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 20 | 10 | 3/5 | |||||||||
 1988 |
Group stage | 5th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 1/5 | |
 1992 |
Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 13 | 6 | 2/4 | ||||||||
 1996 |
11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 13 | 2/6; Lost Play-off | |||||||||
 2000 |
10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 15 | 7 | 2/5; Lost Play-off | |||||||||
 2004 |
8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 11 | 3/5 | |||||||||
  2008 |
12 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 17 | 14 | 3/7 | |||||||||
  2012 |
Group stage | 16th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 20 | 8 | 2/6; Won Play-off | |
| 2016 |
Round of 16 | 15th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 22 | 8 | 3/6; Won Play-off | |
 2020 |
Did not qualify | 11 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 3/5; Lost Play-off | ||||||||
| 2024 |
8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 4/5 | |||||||||
  2028 |
To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
 2032 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | Round of 16 | 3/17 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 17 | 138 | 55 | 41 | 42 | 199 | 151 | — | |
| List of UEFA European Championship matches | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Score | Result | Republic of Ireland scorers |
| 1988 | Group stage | Republic of Ireland 1–0 England | Win | Ray Houghton  6' |
Republic of Ireland 1–1  Soviet Union | Draw | Ronnie Whelan 38' | ||
| Republic of Ireland 0–1 Netherlands | Loss | — | ||
| 2012 | Group stage | Republic of Ireland 1–3  Croatia | Loss | Sean St Ledger 19' |
 Spain 4–0 Republic of Ireland | Loss | — | ||
| Italy 2–0 Republic of Ireland | Loss | — | ||
| 2016 | Group stage | Republic of Ireland 1–1 Sweden | Draw | Wes Hoolahan 49' |
| Belgium 3–0 Republic of Ireland | Loss | — | ||
| Italy 0–1 Republic of Ireland | Win | Robbie Brady 86' | ||
| Round of 16 | France 2–1 Republic of Ireland | Loss | Robbie Brady 2' (pen.) | |
Qualification
Ireland qualified for the finals after winning Group 7 of the qualifying tournament. A late goal by Scotland's Gary Mackay against Bulgaria in Sofia ensured that Ireland won the group ahead of Bulgaria.[6][7]
Squad
Tournament
- Group stage
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soviet Union |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 5 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Netherlands |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 4 | |
| 3 | Republic of Ireland |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
| 4 | England |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | −5 | 0 |
Qualification
Ireland qualified for the finals after winning an unprecedented 5–1 aggregate play-off win against Estonia in the qualifying tournament. A 4–0 victory away in Tallinn and a 1–1 draw in Dublin ensured Ireland's qualification for UEFA Euro 2012.
Squad
On 7 May 2012, Giovanni Trapattoni announced his 23-man squad list for Euro 2012, along with a five-man stand-by list.[8] Keith Fahey withdrew with a groin injury on 26 May and was replaced by Paul Green.[9] On 29 May 2012, Kevin Foley was replaced by Paul McShane.[10] The Ireland team was the only squad at the tournament to consist entirely of players from foreign leagues.
Tournament
- Group stage
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 7 | Advance to knockout phase |
| 2 | Italy |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 5 | |
| 3 | Croatia |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 | |
| 4 | Republic of Ireland |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 9 | −8 | 0 |
Squad
The Republic of Ireland announced their final squad for Euro 2016 on 31 May 2016.[14] The group contained eight players who began their senior careers in Ireland's domestic league, the most for any Irish squad at a major tournament.
Tournament
Ireland began their campaign on 13 June at the Stade de France against Sweden. In the first half, John O'Shea almost got on the end of a set-piece in front of goal and Jeff Hendrick smashed the crossbar with a long range shot. The match was scoreless at half-time. In the 48th minute Séamus Coleman got down the right wing and crossed for Wes Hoolahan to catch the ball on the half volley with his right foot from twelve yards out to put Ireland in front.[15] In the 71st minute Zlatan Ibrahimović cut in on the left side and crossed dangerously with Ciaran Clark heading the ball into his own net from close range.[16] The match finished in a 1–1 draw.[17]
On 18 June, Ireland lost 3–0 to Belgium in their second group game in Bordeaux.[18] The match was 0–0 at half-time before Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring in the 48th minute with a low shot to the right corner. It was 2–0 in the 61st minute when Axel Witsel headed into the net from a Thomas Meunier cross from the right.[19] The third goal came in the 70th minute, again from Romelu Lukaku who finished easily with a low shot to the right of the goalkeeper after a break away from Eden Hazard on the right.[20]
On 22 June, Ireland defeated Italy 1–0 in their final group game to qualify for the knockout phase and a round of 16 match against hosts France.[21] The only goal came in the 85th minute, a header by Robbie Brady after a cross from Wes Hoolahan on the right.[22][23]
On 26 June, Ireland played France in the round of 16, at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon.[24] They took an early lead in the 2nd minute when Robbie Brady scored with a penalty, shooting low to the right of the goalkeeper and in off the post, after Shane Long had been fouled by Paul Pogba.[25] Antoine Griezmann leveled the match in the 58th minute with a header after a cross from Bacary Sagna on the right and then scored a second three minutes later with a low shot to the goalkeepers left. Shane Duffy was sent-off in the 66th minutes when he fouled Griezmann as the last man.[26] France went on to win the game 2–1 to advance to the quarter-finals.[27]
- Group stage
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italy |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 6[lower-alpha 1] | Advance to knockout phase |
| 2 | Belgium |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6[lower-alpha 1] | |
| 3 | Republic of Ireland |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 4 | |
| 4 | Sweden |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 1 |
- Ranking of third-placed teams
| Pos | Grp | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B |  Slovakia |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | Advance to knockout phase |
| 2 | E | Republic of Ireland |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 4 | |
| 3 | F | Portugal |
3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 | |
| 4 | C |  Northern Ireland |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
| 5 | D | Turkey |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 3 | |
| 6 | A |  Albania |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 3 |
Rules for classification: 1) Higher number of points obtained; 2) Superior goal difference; 3) Higher number of goals scored; 4) Fair play conduct; 5) Position in the UEFA national team coefficient ranking system.
- Knockout phase
- Round of 16
- "Analysis: How Ireland managed to pull off one of the greatest results in their history". The 42. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
- "Euro '88 revisited: behind the scenes at Ireland's major tournament debut". The 42. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
- "Who put the ball in the England net? Ray Houghton did – and it happened thirty years ago today". Irish Independent. 12 June 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
- "John Aldridge: The Dubliners' performance in the team hotel summed up the magic of beating England". Irish Independent. 12 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
- McDonnell, Daniel (18 June 2012). "Trap sticks to tired but trusted formula". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
- "Euro 1988 Football Championship - Irish Qualifying Campaign". soccer-Ireland.com. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
- "Reeling in the years: Do you remember the day Ireland qualified for Euro 88?". thescore.ie. 14 November 2011. Archived from the original on 16 November 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
- "McCarthy out as Trapattoni names Ireland squad". Union of European Football Associations. 7 May 2012.
- "UEFA EURO 2012 dream over for Ireland's Fahey". Union of European Football Associations. 26 May 2012.
- "Kevin Foley dropped from Republic of Ireland squad". The Guardian. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
- "Full-time report Republic of Ireland-Croatia" (PDF). Union of European Football Associations. 10 June 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
- "Full-time report Spain-Republic of Ireland" (PDF). Union of European Football Associations. 14 June 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- "Full-time report Italy-Republic of Ireland" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 18 June 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
- "Republic of Ireland Name Squad". Joe.ie. Joe. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
- "Ireland 1 Sweden". BBC Sport. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
- "Ireland 1 Sweden 1". Guardian. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
- "Hoolahan scores a beauty but Ireland left to rue missed chances in 1-1 with Sweden". Irish Independent. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
- "Romelu Lukaku leads Belgium past outclassed Ireland". RTE Sport. 18 June 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
- "Belgium 3 Ireland 0". BBC Sport. 18 June 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
- "Belgium get going as Romelu Lukaku punishes Republic of Ireland". Guardian. 18 June 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
- "Euro 2016 power rankings: Croatia go top but problems for France". Guardian. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
- "No time to dwell on famous win for Ireland's tired heroes". Irish Independent. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
- "Robbie Brady's header earns Ireland win over Italy and last-16 spot". Guardian. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
- "France 2 Republic of Ireland 1 - Heartbreak for the Irish as Antoine Griezmann brace knocks them out of Euro 2016". Daily Telegraph. 26 June 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- "France 2-1 Republic of Ireland". BBC Sport.
- "France 2 Ireland 1". BBC Sport. 26 June 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- "Antoine Griezmann leads French fightback to end Ireland's Euro 2016". Guardian. 26 June 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- "Full Time Summary – Republic of Ireland v Sweden" (PDF). UEFA.org. Union of European Football Associations. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
- "Full Time Summary – Belgium v Republic of Ireland" (PDF). UEFA.org. Union of European Football Associations. 18 June 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- "Full Time Summary – Italy v Republic of Ireland" (PDF). UEFA.org. Union of European Football Associations. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
- "Full Time Summary – France v Republic of Ireland" (PDF). UEFA.org. Union of European Football Associations. 26 June 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2016.