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Republic of Ireland at the UEFA European Championship#Euro 2016

{{Short description|Sporting delegation}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.the42.ie/analysis-how-ireland-managed-pull-off-greatest-victory-2813592-Jun2016/|title= Analysis: How Ireland managed to pull off one of the greatest results in their history|date=10 June 2016|work=The 42|access-date=10 June 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.the42.ie/euro-88-revisited-461584-Jun2013/|title= Euro '88 revisited: behind the scenes at Ireland's major tournament debut|date=12 June 2013|work=The 42|access-date=10 June 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/who-put-the-ball-in-the-england-net-ray-houghton-did-and-it-happened-thirty-years-ago-today-37000925.html|title =Who put the ball in the England net? Ray Houghton did – and it happened thirty years ago today|date=12 June 2018|work=Irish Independent|access-date=12 June 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/john-aldridge-the-dubliners-performance-in-the-team-hotel-summed-up-the-magic-of-beating-england-37002672.html|title = John Aldridge: The Dubliners' performance in the team hotel summed up the magic of beating England|date=12 June 2018|work=Irish Independent|access-date=13 June 2018}}

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.{{cite news|first=Daniel|last=McDonnell|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/euro-2012/irish-news/trap-sticks-to-tired-but-trusted-formula-3140723.html|title=Trap sticks to tired but trusted formula|date=18 June 2012|work=Irish Independent|publisher=Independent News & Media|access-date=18 June 2012}} 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.

Overall record

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"

!colspan=9|UEFA European Championship record

!width=1% rowspan=39|

!colspan=7|Qualification record

Year

!Round

!Position

!{{Tooltip|Pld|Games played}}

!{{Tooltip|W|Won}}

!{{Tooltip|D|Drawn}}

!{{Tooltip|L|Lost}}

!{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}

!{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}

!{{Tooltip|Pld|Games played}}

!{{Tooltip|W|Won}}

!{{Tooltip|D|Drawn}}

!{{Tooltip|L|Lost}}

!{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}

!{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}

!{{Tooltip|Position|Position}}

{{flagicon|France}} 1960

|rowspan=7 colspan=8|Did not qualify

|2

|1

|0

|1

|2

|4

|Preliminary round

{{flagicon|Spain|1945}} 1964

|6

|2

|2

|2

|9

|12

|Quarter-finals

{{flagicon|Italy}} 1968

|6

|2

|1

|3

|5

|8

|3/4

{{flagicon|Belgium}} 1972

|6

|0

|1

|5

|3

|17

|4/4

{{flagicon|Yugoslavia}} 1976

|6

|3

|1

|2

|11

|5

|2/4

{{flagicon|Italy}} 1980

|8

|2

|3

|3

|9

|8

|3/5

{{flagicon|France|1974}} 1984

|8

|4

|1

|3

|20

|10

|3/5

{{flagicon|West Germany}} 1988

|Group stage

|5th

|3

|1

|1

|1

|2

|2

|8

|4

|3

|1

|10

|5

|1/5

{{flagicon|Sweden}} 1992

|rowspan=5 colspan=8|Did not qualify

|6

|2

|4

|0

|13

|6

|2/4

{{flagicon|England}} 1996

|11

|5

|2

|4

|17

|13

|2/6; Lost Play-off

{{flagicon|Belgium}} {{flagicon|Netherlands}} 2000

|10

|5

|3

|2

|15

|7

|2/5; Lost Play-off

{{flagicon|Portugal}} 2004

|8

|3

|2

|3

|10

|11

|3/5

{{flagicon|Austria}} {{flagicon|Switzerland}} 2008

|12

|4

|5

|3

|17

|14

|3/7

{{flagicon|Poland}} {{flagicon|Ukraine}} 2012

|Group stage

|16th

|3

|0

|0

|3

|1

|9

|12

|7

|4

|1

|20

|8

|2/6; Won Play-off

{{flagicon|France|1974}} 2016

|Round of 16

|15th

|4

|1

|1

|2

|3

|6

|12

|6

|4

|2

|22

|8

|3/6; Won Play-off

{{flagicon|Europe}} 2020

|rowspan=2 colspan=8|Did not qualify

|11

|3

|5

|1

|7

|5

|3/5; Lost Play-off

{{flagicon|Germany}} 2024

|8

|2

|0

|6

|9

|10

|4/5

style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} {{flagicon|Republic of Ireland}} 2028

|colspan=8 rowspan=2|To be determined

|colspan=8 rowspan=2|To be determined

{{flagicon|Italy}} {{flagicon|Turkey}} 2032
Total

!Round of 16

!3/17

!10

!2

!2

!6

!6

!17

!138

!55

!41

!42

!199

!151

!—

class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="text-align: center;font-size:90%;"
colspan=5| List of UEFA European Championship matches
YearRoundScoreResultRepublic of Ireland scorers
rowspan=3| 1988

|rowspan=3| Group stage

align="left"| {{fb|IRL}} 1–0 {{fb|ENG}}bgcolor="#98FB98" | WinRay Houghton {{goal|6}}
align="left"| {{fb|IRL}} 1–1 {{fb|SOV}}bgcolor="#FFFF99" | DrawRonnie Whelan {{goal|38}}
align="left"| {{fb|IRL}} 0–1 {{fb|NED}}bgcolor="#FFA07A" | Loss—
rowspan=3| 2012

|rowspan=3| Group stage

align="left"| {{fb|IRL}} 1–3 {{fb|CRO}}bgcolor="#FFA07A" | LossSean St Ledger {{goal|19}}
align="left"| {{fb|SPA}} 4–0 {{fb|IRL}}bgcolor="#FFA07A" | Loss—
align="left"| {{fb|ITA}} 2–0 {{fb|IRL}}bgcolor="#FFA07A" | Loss—
rowspan=4| 2016

|rowspan=3| Group stage

align="left"| {{fb|IRL}} 1–1 {{fb|SWE}}bgcolor="#FFFF99" | DrawWes Hoolahan {{goal|49}}
align="left"| {{fb|BEL}} 3–0 {{fb|IRL}}bgcolor="#FFA07A" | Loss—
align="left"| {{fb|ITA}} 0–1 {{fb|IRL}}bgcolor="#98FB98" | WinRobbie Brady {{goal|86}}
Round of 16align="left"| {{fb|FRA|1974}} 2–1 {{fb|IRL}}bgcolor="#FFA07A" | LossRobbie Brady {{goal|2|pen.}}

Euro 1988

{{main|UEFA Euro 1988}}

=Qualification=

{{main|UEFA Euro 1988 qualifying}}

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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccer-ireland.com/irish-qualifying-campaigns/euro-1988.htm|title=Euro 1988 Football Championship - Irish Qualifying Campaign|date= |work=soccer-Ireland.com|accessdate=14 December 2011}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.thescore.ie/reeling-in-the-years-how-much-do-you-remember-about-the-day-ireland-qualified-for-euro-88-279009-Nov2011/ |title=Reeling in the years: Do you remember the day Ireland qualified for Euro 88? |date=14 November 2011 |work=thescore.ie |accessdate=14 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116032755/http://www.thescore.ie/reeling-in-the-years-how-much-do-you-remember-about-the-day-ireland-qualified-for-euro-88-279009-Nov2011/ |archivedate=16 November 2011 }}

=Squad=

{{Republic of Ireland squad UEFA Euro 1988}}

=Tournament=

;Group stage

{{main|UEFA Euro 1988 Group 2}}

{{UEFA Euro 1988 group tables|Group 2|showteam=IRL}}

{{#lst:UEFA Euro 1988 Group 2|2-1}}

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{{#lst:UEFA Euro 1988 Group 2|2-4}}

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{{#lst:UEFA Euro 1988 Group 2|2-6}}

Euro 2012

{{main|UEFA Euro 2012}}

=Qualification=

{{main|UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying}}

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=

{{Republic of Ireland squad UEFA Euro 2012}}

On 7 May 2012, Giovanni Trapattoni announced his 23-man squad list for Euro 2012, along with a five-man stand-by list.{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7dcfa0ead4-ced9f3e153ec-1000--mccarthy-out-as-trapattoni-names-ireland-squad/|title=McCarthy out as Trapattoni names Ireland squad|date=7 May 2012|work=Union of European Football Associations }} Keith Fahey withdrew with a groin injury on 26 May and was replaced by Paul Green.{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7de7ac2c6b-006e2de0072b-1000--uefa-euro-2012-dream-over-for-ireland-s-fahey/|title=UEFA EURO 2012 dream over for Ireland's Fahey|date=26 May 2012|work=Union of European Football Associations}} On 29 May 2012, Kevin Foley was replaced by Paul McShane.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/may/29/euro-2012-republic-ireland-squad|title=Kevin Foley dropped from Republic of Ireland squad|date=29 May 2012|work=The Guardian|accessdate=29 May 2012}} The Ireland team was the only squad at the tournament to consist entirely of players from foreign leagues.

=Tournament=

;Group stage

{{main|UEFA Euro 2012 Group C}}

{{:UEFA Euro 2012 Group C|transcludesection=standings|showteam=IRL}}

{{:UEFA Euro 2012 Group C|transcludesection=c2}}

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{{:UEFA Euro 2012 Group C|transcludesection=c4}}

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{{:UEFA Euro 2012 Group C|transcludesection=c6}}

Euro 2016

{{main|UEFA Euro 2016}}

=Squad=

{{Republic of Ireland squad UEFA Euro 2016}}

The Republic of Ireland announced their final squad for Euro 2016 on 31 May 2016.{{cite web|title=Republic of Ireland Name Squad|url=http://www.joe.ie/sport/reaction-to-the-ireland-squad-named-for-euro-2016/547353|website=Joe.ie|publisher=Joe|accessdate=31 May 2016}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36457309|title= Ireland 1 Sweden |date=13 June 2016|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 June 2016}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2016/jun/13/republic-of-ireland-v-sweden-euro-2016-live|title= Ireland 1 Sweden 1|date=13 June 2016|work=Guardian|accessdate=14 June 2016}}

The match finished in a 1–1 draw.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/euro-2016/euro-2016-teams/republic-of-ireland/match-report-hoolahan-scores-a-beauty-but-ireland-left-to-rue-missed-chances-in-11-with-sweden-34797223.html|title= Hoolahan scores a beauty but Ireland left to rue missed chances in 1-1 with Sweden|date=13 June 2016|work=Irish Independent|accessdate=14 June 2016}}

On 18 June, Ireland lost 3–0 to Belgium in their second group game in Bordeaux.{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/euro-2016/2016/0618/796546-lukaku-leads-rampant-belgium-past-outclassed-irela/|title=Romelu Lukaku leads Belgium past outclassed Ireland|date=18 June 2016|work=RTE Sport|accessdate=24 June 2016}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36505833|title=Belgium 3 Ireland 0|date=18 June 2016|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=24 June 2016}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/18/belgium-republic-of-ireland-euro-2016-match-report|title=Belgium get going as Romelu Lukaku punishes Republic of Ireland|date=18 June 2016|work=Guardian|accessdate=24 June 2016}}

On 22 June, Ireland defeated Italy 1–0 in their final group game to qualify for the knockout stage and a round of 16 match against hosts France.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/23/euro-2016-power-rankings-croatia-go-top-but-problems-for-france|title=Euro 2016 power rankings: Croatia go top but problems for France|date=23 June 2016|work=Guardian|accessdate=24 June 2016}}

The only goal came in the 85th minute, a header by Robbie Brady after a cross from Wes Hoolahan on the right.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/euro-2016/daniel-mcdonnell-no-time-to-dwell-on-famous-win-for-irelands-tired-heroes-34828736.html|title=No time to dwell on famous win for Ireland's tired heroes|date=24 June 2016|work=Irish Independent|accessdate=24 June 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/22/italy-republic-of-ireland-euro-2016-match-report|title=Robbie Brady's header earns Ireland win over Italy and last-16 spot|date=22 June 2016|work=Guardian|accessdate=24 June 2016}}

On 26 June, Ireland played France in the round of 16, at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/26/france-2-republic-of-ireland-1---heartbreak-for-the-irish-as-ant/|title=France 2 Republic of Ireland 1 - Heartbreak for the Irish as Antoine Griezmann brace knocks them out of Euro 2016|date=26 June 2016|work=Daily Telegraph|accessdate=29 June 2016}}

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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36569511|title=France 2-1 Republic of Ireland|work=BBC Sport}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36569511|title=France 2 Ireland 1|date=26 June 2016|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=29 June 2016}}

France went on to win the game 2–1 to advance to the quarter-finals.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/26/france-republic-ireland-euro-2016-match-report|title=Antoine Griezmann leads French fightback to end Ireland's Euro 2016|date=26 June 2016|work=Guardian|accessdate=29 June 2016}}

;Group stage

{{main|UEFA Euro 2016 Group E}}

{{:UEFA Euro 2016 Group E|transcludesection=standings|showteam=IRL}}

{{:UEFA Euro 2016 Group E|transcludesection=e1}}

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{{:UEFA Euro 2016 Group E|transcludesection=e4}}

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{{:UEFA Euro 2016 Group E|transcludesection=e5}}

;Ranking of third-placed teams

{{:UEFA Euro 2016|transcludesection=third|showteam=GrE}}

;Knockout stage

{{main|UEFA Euro 2016 knockout stage}}

;;Round of 16

{{#lst:UEFA Euro 2016 knockout stage|g4}}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Republic of Ireland national football team}}

{{UEFA Euro Countries}}

Category:Countries at the UEFA European Championship

Europe