The FAI and the Republic of Ireland: A Story of Chaos and Decline

The last two years have been nothing short of a shambles for Irish football. From boardroom resignations to disastrous performances on the pitch, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has presided over one crisis after another. The result? A game in freefall, a fanbase alienated, and players struggling to find form under the national jersey.

Managerial Instability

• Stephen Kenny was sacked in November 2023.
• John O’Shea filled in with four friendlies as caretaker, essentially auditioning for the role.
• It took seven months for the FAI to appoint Heimir Hallgrímsson as their “first-choice” manager, on a reported €650,000 salary.

Boardroom Chaos

• CEO Jonathan Hill resigned in April 2024.
• Marc Canham, the FAI’s Director of Football, stepped down in April 2025.
• The FAI launched a voluntary redundancy programme in August 2025, with compulsory job losses looming as part of restructuring.
• Debt stands at a staggering €43 million.

Controversies and Legal Battles

• RTÉ aired a documentary in July 2024 exposing the mistreatment of female players by coaches.
• Colin Healy claimed he was dismissed despite reassurances he’d stay with the WNT staff (December 2024).
• Eileen Gleeson has launched legal action against the FAI for gender discrimination (August 2025).

On the Pitch: A Shattered Identity

• The team survived in Nations League B only by beating Bulgaria home and away.
• They were humiliated by Armenia and went 2–0 down inside 15 minutes at home to Hungary with Matt Doherty bizarrely played at left-back.
• No clear structure, no defensive solidity, and a reliance on ineffective long throw-ins.
• Irish players consistently perform better for their clubs than for the national side.
• Heimir’s team has conceded first in nine of his ten competitive games.

Domestic Neglect

• League of Ireland champions still only receive €125,000.
• FAI Cup winners earn €32,000 plus gate receipts.
• Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne’s success in Europe this season has come in spite of their governing body, not because of it.
• Will Clarke’s August 2025 Academy Report revealed glaring issues with facilities and infrastructure nationwide.
• The proposed “summer soccer” plan was defeated in August 2025, leaving no clear strategy for development.
• Damien Duff, the headline act of the domestic league and one of the most respected young managers, has departed Shelbourne—an enormous blow for the LOI’s profile.

Fans Left in the Cold

• Supporters can only buy tickets in restrictive three-match bundles until shortly before games.
• Meanwhile, performances on the pitch offer little incentive to attend.

Conclusion

The FAI has failed Irish football. Between staggering debts, broken governance, failed structures, and embarrassing performances on the pitch, it is clear that the Republic of Ireland’s game is suffering at every level. With Damien Duff’s departure from Shelbourne further weakening the League of Ireland’s appeal, Irish football risks losing not only its next generation of talent but also its connection with the fans who care most. Until the association faces real reform—root and branch—the chaos will continue.

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April has been a significant month for Irish football, with both the men’s and women’s national teams recording key results. From Nations League success and emotional retirements to major club achievements and injury news, here’s a full update on the Republic of Ireland’s latest soccer stories.

Women’s Team Soaring Under Carla Ward

The Republic of Ireland women’s national team delivered back-to-back wins over Greece in the UEFA Nations League B. A dominant 4-0 away win in Heraklion was followed by a 2-1 victory at home in Dublin, keeping Carla Ward’s side within striking distance of Group 2 leaders Slovenia.

Marissa Sheva, Kyra Carusa, Jessie Stapleton, and Amber Barrett all found the net in the first fixture, while Barrett and Anna Patten sealed the second win. These results place Ireland just three points off top spot with promotion still very much in play.

Louise Quinn Retires After 121 Caps

Amid the celebrations, veteran defender Louise Quinn announced her retirement from international football. The 34-year-old departs with 121 caps and 16 goals, having played a key role in Ireland’s World Cup qualification and their historic game at the Aviva Stadium. Captain Katie McCabe led the tributes, calling Quinn “a warrior, a mentor and a friend.”

Men’s Team Secure Nations League Status

The men’s team defeated Bulgaria 2-1 in the Nations League playoff, ensuring their place in League B. Goals from Chiedozie Ogbene and Alan Browne helped secure a 4-2 aggregate win. Stephen Kenny’s side will now turn attention to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with fixtures against Hungary, Armenia and Portugal on the horizon.

Kelleher Shines as Bazunu Suffers

Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher lifted his first Premier League title after stepping up as first-choice goalkeeper in Alisson’s absence. The Cork native impressed during the title run-in and may now face a decision on his club future, with Liverpool linked to Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Meanwhile, Gavin Bazunu returned to Southampton early from his loan spell at Standard Liège after suffering a knee injury. The setback raises concerns about his fitness for Ireland’s summer fixtures.

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Ireland will play Greece on Friday, June 16, in Athens and Gibraltar on Monday, June 19, at the Aviva Stadium as part of their UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying campaign which began with a narrow 1-0 defeat to France in March.

Kenny has named a 22-man squad comprised of players from the EFL and the League of Ireland for the training camp at Bristol City’s training ground to begin preparations for those two qualifiers in June.

Tom Cannon, who enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Preston North End from Everton, has been called into the training camp as well as Shamrock Rovers winger Neil Farrugia, Hull City defender Seán McLoughlin, Millwall defender Danny McNamara and goalkeepers James Talbot & Brian Maher, from Bohemians and Derry City respectively.

Jeff Hendrick and Alan Browne will miss the four-day training camp as they recover from injury but are expected to be in contention for the Greece and Gibraltar matches in June.

Chiedozie Ogbene will report for the camp to continue his assessment and rehabilitation from a hamstring injury whilst Andrew Omobamidele, Callum Robinson and Seamus Coleman have all been ruled out of the upcoming qualifiers through injury.

Middlesbrough defender Darragh Lenihan and Peterborough United midfielder Jack Taylor will not be involved with the training camp due to their club’s participation in the EFL play-offs.

All Premier League players remain in action for their clubs as well as Mikey Johnston at Vitoria de Guimaraes, Jamie McGrath at Dundee United and Matt Doherty at Atlético Madrid who continue their domestic seasons

“The six-week break between the end of the Championship and our qualifier in Greece is something we have to navigate and make sure our preparations are planned well,” said Stephen Kenny.

“This training camp in Bristol for four days is essential before we travel to Turkey on June 5th for nine days ahead of our visit to Athens and we’re looking forward to a good four days training and some sharp sessions.”

Ireland Squad – Bristol Training Camp

Squad: Max O’Leary (Bristol City), James Talbot (Bohemians), Brian Maher (Derry City); Danny McNamara (Millwall), Callum O’Dowda (Cardiff City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), John Egan (Sheffield United), Dara O’Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Sean McLaughlin (Hull City); Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Josh Cullen (Burnley), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Mark Sykes (Bristol City), Neil Farrugia (Shamrock Rovers), Jason Knight (Derby County); Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Tom Cannon (Everton), Troy Parrott (Tottenham Hotspur), Michael Obafemi (Burnley), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic).

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Walsh received international clearance from FIFA to become eligible for selection by Ireland manager Vera Pauw as she had represented England at Under-17, U-19 & U-23 level.

The 27-year-old also represented Great Britain at the 2017 Summer Universiade but has yet to earn a senior international cap.

The Brighton & Hove Albion stopper – who holds the Women’s Super League record for most saves – qualifies for Ireland through her Wexford-born Grandfather, William Walsh, and finally got the green light.

“It is a real honour and privilege to be called up into the Ireland squad. I was with Rianna Jarrett, Denise O’Sullivan and Megan Connolly at Brighton last year when my Irish heritage came up and things went from there,” said Walsh.

“It has taken about 12 months to finally get here. I am excited at the opportunity to be part of the Irish Women’s Team and to work with Vera.

“My Grandparents, on my Dad’s side, were from Enniscorthy, County Wexford, where we still have family.

“I know they would be so proud of me being part of the Women’s National Team.”

Walsh reported into Ireland camp following Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Reading, where fellow Ireland goalkeeper Grace Moloney kept a clean sheet.

“I realise I will have to fight hard for a place on the team but that’s always the case in elite football and I have had to do that wherever I have been in football,” said Walsh.

“The main thing is to qualify for the World Cup and I know all the squad will want to make sure we get out of the Group.”

Shelbourne midfielder Jess Ziu has also been added to the squad alongside 16-year-old clubmate Jessie Stapleton, Celtic’s Isibeal Atkinson and Birmingham City forward Emily Whelan.

Injuries rule out Glasgow City’s Claire Walsh, Wexford Youths midfielder Ellen Molloy and Liverpool forward Leanne Kiernan.

The squad will train at the FAI National Training Centre on Monday afternoon ahead of taking on Slovakia on Thursday, November 25th and then Georgia on Tuesday, November 30th – both at Tallaght Stadium.

Republic of Ireland squad for Slovakia and Georgia

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defenders: Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Diane Caldwell (North Carolina Courage), Jessie Stapleton (Shelbourne), Savannah McCarthy (Galway WFC), Éabha O’Mahony (Boston College), Áine O’Gorman (Peamount United)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Niamh Farrelly (Glasgow City), Ciara Grant (Shelbourne), Aoibheann Clancy (Wexford Youths), Roma McLaughlin (Central Connecticut State University), Jess Ziu (Shelbourne)
Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Kyra Carusa (HB Koge), Emily Whelan (Birmingham City) Isibeal Atkinson (Celtic), Saoirse Noonan (Shelbourne), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)

Fixtures

2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Round – Group A
Republic of Ireland v Slovakia
Thursday, November 25th
Tallaght Stadium
KO 19:00
LIVE on RTÉ2
#IRLSVK

2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Round – Group A
Republic of Ireland v Georgia
Tuesday, November 30th
Tallaght Stadium
KO 19:00
LIVE on RTÉ2
#IRLGEO

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Shane Duffy, Chiedozie Ogbene and Callum Robinson got the goals at the Stade Du Luxembourg as Ireland banished the demons of the reverse fixture.

A cameo from Derby County star Jason Knight proved to be one for the history books as he was involved in all three goals, winning the free-kick that led to the opener and assisting the second and third.

The team had failed to qualify for next year’s winter-scheduled tournament in Qatar after poor results in their first half of fixtures but a strong second half of the campaign has underlined the growth the side has seen under Stephen Kenny.

The game provided a metaphor for the eight games (ten counting the friendlies with Qatar) as Ireland produced a patchy performance in their campaign closer, especially in the first half.

The boys in Orange, for the first time since a 0-0 draw against Mexico in May 1998 (and the first time in a competitive fixture since Macedonia…), took a while to get going while Luxembourg enjoyed their best period in the first 45 minutes.

The highlight of the first-half was an unbelievable save from Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who gets better and better with each game.

What a save from Bazunu. Thill's shot took a deflection but the Irish keeper reacted brilliantly and tipped it wide for a corner.#LUXIRL #rtesoccer
https://t.co/tuL8bEWhuT
https://t.co/mcphJPwdgQ
https://t.co/Vyy8I2aIt8 pic.twitter.com/iQBqnNfVxC

— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 14, 2021

Stephen Kenny’s men grew into the game after Bazunu’s reflexes were flexed and Ogbene and John Egan came closest to putting them ahead but they had to go back into their dressing room without a goal to their name.

Luxembourg had the ball in the Irish net after a strong start to the second half but winger Danel Sinani was denied the opportunity to put his side in the lead – the referee brought play back for a foul.

The fateful introduction of Jason Knight came 62 minutes into the match and five minutes later Ireland had scored – Shane Duffy nodded home a set-piece won by Knight after being fouled by Sinani.

Ogbene dinked a second effort home after a beautiful period of play from the Irish that saw midfielders Jeff Hendrick and Knight combine to skewer the Luxembourg defence.

The game was wrapped up with two minutes of normal time to go when Callum Robinson tapped the ball in after a fantastic cross by James McClean was tapped back into space by Knight.

The victory made it Kenny and co.’s second of the campaign (third counting the Qatar friendles), seeing them finish three points above Luxembourg in third after eight in their last four games.

The match was the final one before Kenny’s current contract runs out and makes for an emphatic case for a renewal, which many fans are in favour of after the national team’s progression in the year.

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The 26-year-old has made 23 appearances for Ireland since being handed his debut by former manager Martin O’Neill in May 2016 in a 2-1 defeat to Belarus.

The Oxford-born Republic of Ireland player has yet to complete the full 90 minutes under Kenny and has only played for the side five times under their current boss.

O’Dowda is line to make his first appearance for the national side in a year – the Bristol City winger has featured for Stephen Kenny’s team since the 1-0 defeat to Wales in the UEFA Nations League last November.

Cardiff City forward James Collins will miss out on a 15th appearance for the national team and an 11th since Stephen Kenny took the reins.

O’Dowda has been a bit-part player for Bristol City so far this season, making only seven appearances in the EFL Championship and playing for only 278 minutes – 90 of which came in his most recent game for the Robins against Coventry.

Ireland Squad v Portugal and Luxembourg

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth).
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Burnley).
Midfielders: Conor Hourihane (Sheffield United, on loan from Aston Villa), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Jason Knight (Derby County), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jamie McGrath (St. Mirren).
Forwards: Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers).

Fixtures – FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifying

11/11 – Republic of Ireland v Portugal – Aviva Stadium, 7.45 pm
14/11 – Luxembourg v Republic of Ireland – Stade de Luxembourg, 7.45pm

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Captain Seamus Coleman has returned to the squad after he missed the October double-header against Azerbaijan and Qatar through injury.

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Jayson Molumby and Preston North End midfielder Alan Browne both come back into the squad following suspension.

Wigan’s Will Keane has been picked for a second time in succession after his and James McClean’s impressive runs of form continued for the Latics.

The national side will hope to reverse the results from the reverse fixtures against both sides and end their latest qualification campaign on a high.

Ireland are set to face Portugal at a sold-out Aviva Stadium on Thursday, November 11 before flying to Luxembourg for their final FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifying match on Sunday, November 14.

Republic of Ireland Squad – Portugal & Luxembourg

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth).
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Burnley).
Midfielders: Conor Hourihane (Sheffield United, on loan from Aston Villa), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Jason Knight (Derby County), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jamie McGrath (St. Mirren).
Forwards: Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Adam Idah (Norwich City), James Collins (Cardiff City), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers).

Fixtures – FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifying

11/11 – Republic of Ireland v Portugal – Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm
14/11 – Luxembourg v Republic of Ireland – Stade de Luxembourg, 7.45pm

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Vera Pauw’s side are searching for their first win of the qualifiers after their first game ended in a slim defeat to World number two Sweden, who benefitted from a Louise Quinn own-goal.

The hosts have won both of their games in Group A, including a 3-0 win in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi on Thursday evening.

Finland currently have five players with at least a goal and will bring their attacking intent into their match with the Republic of Ireland.

Vera Pauw has named an unchanged side for the match held in the Finnish capital and will hope to steer her side to a second win in three games.

Aine O’Gorman will earn her 110th cap for the national side while Player of the Match against Sweden Courtney Brosnan will remain between the sticks.

The team lined up in a 5-4-1 formation against Sweden in Tallaght Stadium and it is expected that the unchanged side will not play in a different setup against the Finnish.

Jamie Finn and Aine O’Gorman will occupy the wing-back positions and will offer extra width in attack and defensive cover when Ireland are not in possession of the ball.

Louise Quinn will be at the heart of the defence with Niamh Fahey and Savannah McCarthy on either side of her.

Captain Denise O’Sullivan and Megan Connolly will occupy the midfield while Lucy Quinn and Katie McCabe will aim to provide support for Heather Payne who starts up front for Ireland.

Leanne Kiernan, Amber Barrett and Ciara Grant are among those who take their place on the bench.

Anna Signuel’s side, on the other hand, will be playing for a third win in a row and will aim to continue to put pressure on the Swedes.

The Finland head coach has made four changes to the side that dispatched of Georgia away from home.

Tuija Hyyrynen, Ria Oling, Natalia Kuikka and Sansi Franssi come into the side that is captained by goalkeeper Tinja Rikka-Korpela.

The team’s top scorer Linda Sallstrom also appears in the starting eleven for the side eight places above Ireland in the World rankings.

Teams

Finland (4-4-2): 23 Tinja-Riikka Korpela (C) 3 Tuija Hyyrynen 4 Ria Öling 5 Emma Koivisto 7 Adelina Engman 10 Emmi Alanen 15 Natalia Kuikka 16 Anna Westerlund 17 Sanni Franssi 18 Linda Sällström 20 Eveliina Summanen.

Subs: 1 Paula Myllyoja 12 Anna Tamminen 2 Elli Pikkujämsä 6 Anna Auvinen 8 Olga Ahtinen 9 Juliette Kemppi 11 Nora Heroum 13 Amanda Rantanen 14 Julia Tunturi 19 Essi Sainio 21 Eva Nyström 22 Jutta Rantala.

Republic of Ireland (5-4-1): Brosnan; Finn, Fahey, Louise Quinn, McCarthy, O’Gorman; Lucy Quinn, O’Sullivan, Connolly, McCabe; Payne.

Subs: Moloney, Badana, Walsh, Caldwell, Kiernan, Barrett, Jarrett, Farrelly, Grant, Noonan, Clancy, McLaughlin.

Where To Watch

The match will kick-off at 4:15 pm Irish time and will be available to watch on RTÉ 2 and on the RTÉ Player.

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The match is Ireland’s second of their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification campaign.

The team are searching for their first win of the qualifiers after their first game ended in a slim defeat to World number two Sweden, who benefitted from a Louise Quinn own-goal.

Aine O’Gorman will earn her 110th cap for the national side while Player of the Match against Sweden Courtney Brosnan will remain between the sticks.

The team lined up in a 5-4-1 formation against Sweden in Tallaght Stadium and it is expected that the unchanged side will not play in a different setup against the Finnish.

Jamie Finn and Aine O’Gorman will occupy the wing-back positions and will offer extra width in attack and defensive cover when Ireland are not in possession of the ball.

Louise Quinn will be at the heart of the defence with Niamh Fahey and Savannah McCarthy on either side of her.

Captain Denise O’Sullivan and Megan Connolly will occupy the midfield while Lucy Quinn and Katie McCabe will aim to provide support for Heather Payne who starts up front for Ireland.

Leanne Kiernan, Amber Barrett and Ciara Grant are among those who take their place on the bench.

Republic of Ireland WNT v Finland

(5-4-1): Brosnan; Finn, Fahey, Louise Quinn, McCarthy, O’Gorman; Lucy Quinn, O’Sullivan, Connolly, McCabe; Payne.

Subs: Moloney, Badana, Walsh, Caldwell, Kiernan, Barrett, Jarrett, Farrelly, Grant, Noonan, Clancy, McLaughlin.

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The match will be played in front of a sold-out crowd that has been capped by Covid restrictions.

The winner of UEFA Group A will earn automatic qualification to the next Women’s World Cup while the team that finishes in second will enter into the play-offs if they are one of the three best runner-ups among all nine UEFA groups.

Ireland ended a seven-game losing streak in their most recent outing, beating Australia 3-2 in front of fans in Tallaght and will hope for a repeat of fortunes on Thursday evening.

Four of the six teams they faced in that dismal run currently occupy a place in the top 20 of FIFA’s World rankings.

Vera Pauw’s side will play their first game in the group stages of the FIFA World Cup qualification campaign and are the only side yet to play a game.

The Republic of Ireland were meant to have played Georgia in their opening Group A game last month but that was rescheduled until June 2022.

Sweden, on the other hand, sit first in the group with two wins from two against Georgia and Slovakia and are yet to concede.

The World number two national team will hope to earn their place at the upcoming World Cup and improve upon their third-place finish in 2019 and continue the form that earned them a silver medal at Tokyo 2020.

Ireland have never played at a World Cup and sit 33rd in the world, eight places behind Finland who are also in their group.

Captain Caroline Seger scored a brace in the Blue and Yellow’s last match, a 4-0 win over Georgia, and leads the way on the scoring charts in the group.

Three other goalscorers have found the net for the Swedes in the competition so far and Peter Gerhardsson’s team will be sure to give the Irish defence a headache.

“The target for us is to qualify,” Vera Pauw noted. “We fully understand how difficult our group is with four tough opponents in Sweden, Finland, Slovakia and Georgia.

“But we must believe in ourselves, work as hard as we can, and show the world that we are ready for this.

“Sweden are a fantastic team. They finished as runners-up in the Tokyo Olympics and are ranked second in the world.

“We know all about their quality but it is up to us – as a team collectively – to embrace this challenge. We hope that playing in front of our fantastic fans will also help us.

“I’ve said it so many times and every time I feel it in my bones: the Irish fans are really special!

“There is no doubt that they help to drive the team on during difficult periods and inspire them to keep working hard.

“It definitely had an impact in our win over Australia and I hope to experience the same again in front of a sold-out crowd.”

Teams

Republic of Ireland: Brosnan; Finn, Fahey, L. Quinn, McCarthy, O’Gorman; L.J. Quinn, O’Sullivan, Connolly, McCabe; Payne.

Subs: Walsh, Scott, Caldwell, Kiernan, Barrett, Maloney, Farrelly, Grant, Noonan, Clancy, McLaughlin, Badana.

Sweden: Lindahl; Glas, Ilestedt, Eriksson, Andersson; Bennison, Rolfo, Angeldal; Jakobsen, Blackstenius, Hurtig.

Subs: Kullberg, Fischer, Janogy, Rytting Kaneryd, Falk, Blomqvist, Olme, Curmark, Anvegard, Musovic, Schough, Rubensson.

Where To Watch

The game will kick-off at 7 pm and will be available to watch live on RTÉ 2, with coverage starting at 6:30 pm.

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