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Ireland's Soccer Team: A History of Success

Early Days

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) was founded in 1921, and the Irish Free State's first international match was played against Italy in 1924.

Ireland competed in the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 1934, but they did not qualify for another World Cup until 1990.

Jack Charlton Era

Jack Charlton was appointed manager of the Ireland national team in 1986, and he led the team to their first major tournament, the 1988 European Championship.

Ireland reached the quarter-finals of the 1988 European Championship, and they also qualified for the 1990 FIFA World Cup.

Charlton resigned as manager of Ireland in 1995, and he was replaced by Mick McCarthy.

Mick McCarthy Era

Mick McCarthy led Ireland to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and he also managed the team at the 2004 European Championship.

McCarthy resigned as manager of Ireland in 2005, and he was replaced by Steve Staunton.

Steve Staunton Era

Steve Staunton was appointed manager of the Ireland national team in 2006, but he was sacked in 2007 after Ireland failed to qualify for the 2008 European Championship.

Giovanni Trapattoni Era

Giovanni Trapattoni was appointed manager of the Ireland national team in 2008, and he led the team to the 2012 European Championship.

Ireland reached the last 16 of the 2012 European Championship, and they also qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Trapattoni resigned as manager of Ireland in 2013, and he was replaced by Martin O'Neill.

Martin O'Neill Era

Martin O'Neill led Ireland to the 2016 European Championship, and he also managed the team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

O'Neill resigned as manager of Ireland in 2018, and he was replaced by Mick McCarthy.

Mick McCarthy Second Era

Mick McCarthy was appointed manager of the Ireland national team for a second time in 2018, and he led the team to the 2020 European Championship.

Ireland were eliminated in the group stage of the 2020 European Championship, and McCarthy resigned as manager of Ireland in 2020.

Stephen Kenny Era

Stephen Kenny was appointed manager of the Ireland national team in 2020, and he is the current manager of the team.

Kenny has led Ireland to the 2022 FIFA World Cup play-offs, and he is hoping to lead the team to their first World Cup since 2014.