Ireland (National Football)

Dublin erupted in celebration on Monday night as the Republic of Ireland's 2-0 play-off win over Bosnia and Herzegovina secured their place at Euro 2016.

The home side started the day looking to join England, Wales and Northern Ireland at next summer's championships, and they looked ready for a fight from the word "go" as Robbie Keane clashed with an opposition coach during the warm-up:

VIDEO: Robbie Keane exchanged words with a Bosnian player after their kick-out practice started to get in his way https://t.co/gsU0u2iQaz

— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 16, 2015

The animosity seemed to spread to the away support, who chanted loudly through the minute's silence intended to recognise the weekend's attacks in Paris:

A minute's silence impeccably ignored by many in the Bosnia end

— Daniel Taylor (@DTguardian) November 16, 2015

Sad that some Bosnia fans can't bring themselves to be quiet for a minute to observe a minute's silence for a massacre

— James Ducker (@DuckerTheTimes) November 16, 2015

Vile behaviour by Bosnia fans as they wreck the minute's silence for #Paris. I hope they have nothing to cheer tonight. #IREvBOS #Dublin

— Des Kelly (@DesKellyBTS) November 16, 2015

Back on the pitch, and Ireland got off to the perfect start, 20 minutes of pressure culminating in a penalty for handball:

Guinness goes flying in hundreds of pubs. Ireland have a penalty.

— AS English (@English_AS) November 16, 2015

Replays suggested it was a harsh decision:

Bit harsh, that

— Ben McAleer (@BenMcAleer1) November 16, 2015

Fairly ridiculous penalty.

— AS English (@English_AS) November 16, 2015

As soft as they come.

— Janusz Michallik (@JanuszMichallik) November 16, 2015

The irony escaped nobody:

7 years later, karma finally comes back for Ireland. Never a penalty.

— Joe Krishnan (@joekrishnan) November 16, 2015

Guess that's for Henry...

— Rich Laverty (@RichJLaverty) November 16, 2015

#ThatMomentWhen your country benefits from a controversial handball decision. #IREvBOS pic.twitter.com/64ScWYNcsu

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 16, 2015

How beautifully poetic that a dodgy handball goes Ireland's way in such a vital game...

— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) November 16, 2015

Though not everyone was amused by the quirk of fate:

Generic Ireland handball joke

— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) November 16, 2015

Up stepped Stoke City striker Jonathan Walters, who buried the penalty to put Ireland 2-1 up on aggregate:

Ireland 1-0 Bosnia (Walters pen) pic.twitter.com/vPMNxLDArQ

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 16, 2015

Half-time arrived, and manager Martin O'Neill's side were within sight of Euro 2016:

45 minutes from France.

— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) November 16, 2015

What all Irish fans are currently thinking. #Walters #IREvBOS pic.twitter.com/fv5Yov3J9D

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 16, 2015

Bosnia and Herzegovina looked to respond after the break, but up stepped that man again to double Ireland's advantage:

He rarely falters. Brilliant stuff from Walters. Almost there.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 16, 2015

JON WALTERS CAN I HAVE YOUR BABIES!!!!

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) November 16, 2015

☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘

— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) November 16, 2015

Ireland were within 20 minutes of becoming the fourth home nation to qualify for France:

Pile on! #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/YFdFfmgXsK

— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) November 16, 2015

Scotland fans during Euro 2016 pic.twitter.com/9In8hGOC7b

— Daily Record Sport (@Record_Sport) November 16, 2015

And the praise continued to flow for the two-goal man:

Super Jon 👍🏻 @JonWalters19

— Peter Crouch (@petercrouch) November 16, 2015

I love you @JonWalters19

— David Meyler (@DavidMeyler7) November 16, 2015

The visitors rallied, but Ireland held on to spark wild celebrations:

Congratulations to @FAIreland! They have qualified! pic.twitter.com/mHMXGS311q

— EA SPORTS FIFA (@EASPORTSFIFA) November 16, 2015

Thrilled for Republic of Ireland. Absolutely chuffed for Martin O'Neill. Great stuff!

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 16, 2015

Congratulations to Republic of Ireland who've qualified for Euro 2016. There'll be a party in Dublin tonight. pic.twitter.com/dQG9E9cRLW

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 16, 2015

Congratulations Ireland fantastic effort. 🇮🇪 👏👍

— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) November 16, 2015

Yes! What a night & congratulations to everyone connected with @FAIreland . Roll on France 2016 ☘🇮🇪

— Kevin Kilbane (@kdkilbane77) November 16, 2015

Bring on Euro 2016!

[Twitter]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfQhCjI5ncs

Roy Keane's deadpan responses during Republic of Ireland press conferences are a thing of beauty.

Speaking before Ireland's Euro 2016 qualifying playoff against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the team's assistant manager was asked about his influence on former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I made him. If it wasn't for me, he wouldn't be where he is," he joked.

The pair played together under Sir Alex Ferguson between 2003 and 2005 before Keane left for Celtic.

In Spanish journalist Guillem Balague's book Cristiano Ronaldo: The Biography, it was revealed that the Portuguese star was picked on by senior United players during his early days at the club.

But Keane says he never had to direct too much anger at his teammate.

"I didn't shout at Ronaldo that much. I didn't have to," he said.

[YouTube, h/t Joe.co.uk]

GOAL KRYCHOWIAK! Poland 1-0 Ireland http://t.co/4X9YeCdlSp

— Live Football Goals (@FootyLiveVines) October 11, 2015

It was a hectic start in Warsaw as Ireland and Poland battled it out for automatic qualification to next year's European Championships in France.

Poland took the lead through Grzegorz Krychowiak's low shot from outside the area before Ireland hit back immediately.

1-1 #IREvPOL #Penalty #JonWalters pic.twitter.com/itaPJNSJuF

— WLR's Big Breakfast Blaa (@BigBlaa) October 11, 2015

Jon Walters tucked away a penalty which the Irish were perhaps fortunate to have been awarded, when it appeared the foul on Shane Long had occurred outside the area.

GOAL! Poland 1-1 Republic of Ireland (Walters pen) Live on Sky Sports 1 HD or here: http://t.co/TqZhw44WeR pic.twitter.com/GQiZsBr4mE

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 11, 2015

With five minutes remaining in the first half, Poland were back in front and it was a familiar face with the goal. Robert Lewandowski was at it again, stooping to head home and put the home side in front at the break. It's the Bayern Munich man's 13th goal in Euro 2016 qualifying.

#Lewandowski gol https://t.co/Va5tfyEUkN

— pawel wroniecki (@pawelf1) October 11, 2015

Ireland pushed in the second half for the equalising goal which would send them through to France automatically but it never came, and they lost John O'Shea late in the match when he received a second yellow card.

Poland held on to record a 2-1 win and qualify for next year's European Championships, while Ireland must face a playoff to make it 

[Twitter]

Not exactly known for his compassion and empathy, Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane has laughed off suggestions that Robbie Keane might be unavailable for the Republic's match against Germany on Thursday.

Los Angeles Galaxy striker Robbie Keane's wife, Claudine, gave birth to their second child on Monday, but the former Manchester United midfielder will not be giving him much time off.

"He didn't have the baby, did he?" Roy asked. "Unless he's breastfeeding, he should be all right."

On Wednesday, Robbie Keane playfully shot back at the chest-related joke with one of his own aimed at the former Manchester United enforcer (Language NSFW). 

Roy Keane is confident Robbie Keane will be available on Thursday: "Unless he's breastfeeding he should be alright."https://t.co/E3qSujoXUT

— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 6, 2015

Robbie Keane responds to Roy Keane 😂. He's a brave man! https://t.co/D6mY4AK9y2

— Elecspo (@elecspo) October 7, 2015

Bold move. 

[Twitter: @RTESoccer]

The Republic of Ireland take on Georgia at the Aviva Stadium on Monday, as they look to keep their hopes of qualifying for Euro 2016 alive.

Martin O’Neill’s men cruised past Gibraltar with a 4-0 victory on Friday night to move within two points of second place in Group D, but with crunch matches against Germany and Poland to come, only maximum points will do against the Georgians.

Ireland will have their work cut out getting exactly that, though, as Georgia come into Monday’s clash full of confidence after disposing of Scotland 1-0. It’s all to play for in Dublin.

Date: Monday, September 7

Time: 7:45 p.m. BST/2:45 p.m. ET

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Live Stream: Sky Go (U.K. only)

One Down, Three to Go For Irish

Ireland came into their last four Euro 2016 qualifying games knowing that only four wins would do. And as Mission 2 comes around for O’Neill and Co., spirits in the Irish camp are high.

A Robbie Keane brace in between strikes from Cyrus Christie and Shane Long gave Ireland four points against Gibraltar on Friday, and their patient approach against the minnows was impressive.

They’ll have to be similarly measured with their play against Georgia, whom they disposed of in Group D’s opening game in Tbilisi.

Aiden McGeady scored a late goal in a 2-1 win for Ireland that time around, but he’s unlikely to come back into the side for Monday’s match.

Robbie Brady was the standout performer against Gibraltar, and he’ll hold down his wing spot once again.

Seamus Coleman could step in at right-back ahead of goalscorer Christie, while Keane will continue to lead the line up front.

The L.A. Galaxy star has now scored an international goal in every calendar year for the past 18 years, and former player Matt Holland was one of many praising his input:

Regardless of the opposition tonight Robbie Keane is a machine. Scoring an international goal for 18 consecutive years is incredible

— Matt Holland (@mattholland8) September 4, 2015

Keane, though, remained focused on the job at hand. Speaking with Shamoon Hafez of BBC Sport, the 35-year-old said that the 2-1 win over Gibraltar at the start of the campaign could well make all the difference: "There is still a long way to go but we got the job done. Monday will be a massive game for us. The three points in Georgia at the start of the campaign could be massive for us."

Astonishingly, Keane is now just one goal behind German legend Gerd Muller for international strikes, per Sky Sports News HQ, and you’d be brave to bet against him equalling Muller on Monday.

Only four Europeans have scored more international goals than Robbie Keane. #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/4X7NioXDKk

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 5, 2015

However, Georgia may have something to say about that.

Having defended valiantly against Scotland on Friday, the Georgians will fancy their chances of keeping Ireland at bay, too.

It will likely once again be a case of the Irish remaining patient and letting their flair players like Wes Hoolahan and Brady dissect the Georgian defence.

And with Keane there to feed on the scraps and take half chances as they come around, Georgia’s defence is in severe danger of being breached.

Ireland still have a long way to go before they qualify for next year’s European Championships, but they can undoubtedly lay the perfect platform for success on Monday.

Prediction: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Georgia

A nice story, if true, is coming out of Ireland.

According to media outlets in the country, former international Damien Duff is on the brink of signing for Irish top-flight club Shamrock Rovers. 

The Dubliner is one of the greatest footballers the country has ever produced, but Rovers average crowds of only about 3,000, so in normal circumstances, they would never be able to afford a player of Duff's class. 

However, as reported by the Irish Daily Mail (via SportsJoe.ie), a heartwarming compromise might be found: 

Duff will not receive a regular salary at the SSE Airtricity League club, rather the club and sponsors will contribute approximately €1,000 a week to a charity of his choosing.

The 36-year-old is an ambassador for Heart Children Ireland but it is not yet clear if that is the charity that stands to benefit. Duff's son, Woody, was born with a congenital heart defect so HCI is a charity he is passionate in supporting.

Duff starred in the Premier League for a number of seasons for Blackburn, Chelsea, Newcastle and Fulham before enjoying a spell in Australia last season.

He was capped 100 times for Ireland.

[SportsJoe.ie]

The Irish Football Association has categorically denied claims that their players were offered $10,000 each not to kick Lionel Messi in a friendly against Argentina in 2010.

As reported by Sport, Canchallena journalist Ezequiel Fernandez Moores has claimed that Julio Grondona, the president of the Argentina Football Association up until his death last year, offered the monetary incentive to prevent the Barcelona talisman, not fully fit at the time, from picking up an injury in the game.

However, as we can see here courtesy of Tommy Martin of TV3, the FAI have issued a statement in which these claims are refuted:

FAI statement on La Nacion allegations. pic.twitter.com/ORSVX9Rnhj

— Tommy Martin (@TommyMartinVM) June 24, 2015

It’s the second time this month the FAI has been caught up in underhand allegations. As noted by the Sport piece, the Republic were apparently compensated a sum to the tune of €5 million after a Thierry Henry handball controversially scuppered their chances of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.

The news about the apparent payment prompted this chant from England supporters on their visit to Dublin for a friendly earlier this month, per the Football Chants Twitter feed:

England fans against Ireland:

"Sepp Blatter, he paid for your ground!" pic.twitter.com/GdTi0TSkin

— Football Chants (@FootyFansChants) June 7, 2015

The Albiceleste were invited to the friendly in the Irish capital five years ago to celebrate the opening of the Republic of Ireland’s new home, the Aviva Stadium. It was a game in which Messi was withdrawn after 60 minutes and Argentina won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Manchester United’s Angel Di Maria.

Messi, who inspired the Blaugrana to an historic treble with some mesmerising displays in 2014-15, is no stranger to abrasive tactics being deployed by the opposition. As some of the included images from the game show, the Irish players didn't look to have any issues getting stuck into the Argentina star either. 

Like many fans, Ireland fan Paddy O'Brien figured he had all the answers for a struggling Irish side after Giovanni Trapattoni was ousted from the position. 

So he did the natural thing when someone fancies themselves as a viable candidate: he applied for the gig. 

Ireland are now riding high in their European qualifying campaign behind Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane's leadership, but in September, O'Brien put his best (and hilarious) foot forward to be in their shoes. 

Unimpressed by the names floating around, he put his name in the ring.

"At the time I wrote the application there were a lot of individuals being touted for the job and, even with no experience of football management, I reckoned I would be every bit as good as Owen Coyle, Gerard Houllier, Noel King, etc.," he told the Guardian. 

His CV may have not been experience-heavy, but it did have its highlights: He was the Double Bovine Breeding Champion in 2003, he guaranteed that Ireland would win Euro 2016 and had some revolutionary tactics, including a starting XI pointed straight at the opposition's goal. 

The FAI figured his CV was worth a response, albeit, likely a form-letter rejection, but a response nonetheless! 

[Guardian, h/t 101 Great Goals]

On the eve of their Euro 2016 qualifier clash with Gibraltar, a tragedy has befallen the Republic of Ireland.  

Roy Keane has shaved off his awe-inspiring beard. 

While working in his dual role as Ireland assistant manager, the Manchester United midfielder was photographed without the majesty of face whiskers we have come to know and love over the past few months. 

Understandably, the greater football community has gone into a state of mourning, using social media to come to terms with the situation.

We can confirm #RIPtheBeard! Roy has decided to shave the night before our first home qualifier! #makethematch pic.twitter.com/2BQQMI7zIM

— FAI (@FAIreland) October 10, 2014

Such a sad day for Ireland, Roy Keane has shaved his beard #RIPtheBeard #GoneButNeverForgotten

— Philip Doherty (@PhilipDoherty10) October 10, 2014

I heard there was a ferocious battle, the beard taking an early advantage but as ever big Roy came out on top. #RIPtheBeard

— Ryan Bunce (@buncy) October 10, 2014

I hear Alex Ferguson told Keano he thought his beard was great and really suited him #RIPtheBeard

— Cathal McManus (@CathalPMc) October 10, 2014

So long, old friend. On the bright side, we'll always have Pirlo. 

The Serbian national team will travel northwest to face Ireland in an international friendly clash Wednesday to kick off the 2014 slate for both squads. 

After falling short of qualification for the 2014 World Cup, Serbia are looking to kick off 2014 on a high note by turning in a solid performance against an Ireland team still looking to gain their footing. While Serbia falls at a respectable No. 29 in the FIFA rankings after avoiding a loss for the final five months of 2013, Ireland are all the way back at 67th after faltering as of late.

Hope springs eternal for both of these squads as they look ahead to future competitions but with many of these players focusing largely on their club play in recent months, they will mainly just be looking to rekindle chemistry and form with their international companions.

Let's break down the Ireland-Serbia matchup.

When: Wednesday, March 5 at 2:45 p.m. ET (7:45 p.m. GMT)

Where: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland

Watch: GOL TV

Top Storyline: Can Ireland Replace Robbie Keane By Committee?

The Republic of Ireland will be without their star player and top offensive threat as Robbie Keane has opted to stay back in America and practice with the Los Angeles Galaxy, per Irish Mirror's Paul O'Hehir. 

The question now is—who will replace him?

Shane Long will be looked to as the main option to lead an Ireland squad that will need to play balanced in order to replace Keane.

The 27-year-old has never truly gotten his shot to head up the Irish attack with Keane often in the fold, so this opportunity will allow Long to build up his confidence and chemistry with his teammates.

Ireland manager Martin O'Neill spoke on replacing Keane, per O'Hehir:

The records are not that fantastic. As every day goes on, Robbie gets a bit older but he’s still capable of getting a goal out of the blue.

But I think Shane Long will have gained confidence from his move to Hull and because he’s been doing fine.

He and Jelavic have made a really decent contribution to Hull’s possibly dangerous position at one stage, but now they are pulling themselves out of trouble.

But it’s up to all the centre forwards here to make their mark from here on in.

It will obviously take a by-committee approach to replace Keane. There just isn't the level of depth on this national team that there is on many other elite squads that can replace stars of his caliber.

The remaining strikers on Ireland's squad for Wednesday's match have a combined 18 goals in their international careers while Keane alone has 62 goals. Replacing a player like that is simply impossible, so it will take an added effort from everyone in the starting 11 in order to minimize the impact of his absence.

Against a team like Serbia, however, that could be easier said than done. The Serbians haven't lost in all competitions since August, and they have shown great form in the latter half of 2013 despite coming up short in World Cup qualification.

Prediction

Not having Keane in the fold will knock the wind out of the sails of Ireland but playing at home will allow them to come out inspired anyway.

However, with a team of Serbia's ability coming in, it will be a tough-earned draw if the Irish are able to use the location to their advantage. 

Ireland 1, Serbia 1