A Look Back at Ireland’s Three Sojourns at the European Championships

The Republic of Ireland hasn’t experienced a European Championship in eight years. In fact, it’ll be 12 years until Ireland may be guaranteed a seat at the top table of continental football. Ireland is due to jointly host Euro 2028 with the UK. However, matches are due to be held in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales too.

UEFA typically states that only two automatic qualification spots can be guaranteed for host nations. This means that three of the five joint hosts could miss out on automatic entry. One option weighed up at present is for all host nations to compete in the qualifying campaign, with the two automatic entries reserved for the nations who fail to earn direct qualification. If three or more of the five host nations fail to qualify via the conventional route, the two top-performing nations in their respective groups would secure entry.

It's highly likely that England will qualify for Euro 2028, providing they manage to shake off the disappointment of losing back-to-back European Championship finals. Before a ball was kicked for Germany’s Euro 2024 finals, England were the 9/2 favourites in the Euros betting on bet365 to win the tournament. Gareth Southgate’s men lived up to their pre-tournament expectations by reaching the final. However, they were no match for Spain, who were the tournament’s most impressive team throughout, defeating England 2-1 in Berlin.

How have the Republic of Ireland fared in their previous appearances at the European Championships? Below, we assess how The Boys in Green have performed in each of their three appearances at the major finals.

Euro 1988, West Germany

The Republic of Ireland failed to qualify for the first seven European Championships but finally broke their duck for Euro 1988. Ireland finished top of their qualifying group, one point ahead of Bulgaria, with Belgium and Scotland also just two points back.

The Boys in Green were drawn in Group 2, the same group as England, the Netherlands and the Soviet Union. Ireland stunned European football by beating England 1-0 in Stuttgart in their opening group game. Ray Houghton’s early strike was enough to prove the difference between the two sides.

Unfortunately for the Irish, they could only manage a draw with the Soviet Union, surrendering Ronnie Whelan’s first-half goal with Protasov’s late second-half equaliser. This led to a winner-takes-all encounter with the Dutch, where the winner would advance to the knockout stage. Kieft’s 82^nd-minute striker was enough to hand the Netherlands a narrow win in Gelsenkirchen.

Euro 2012, Poland & Ukraine

The Republic of Ireland had to qualify through the back door of Euro 2012, finishing in second place behind Russia to earn a place in the play-offs. They were given a fortunate play-off against Estonia, who they thrashed 5-1 over two legs.

Ireland were given a “Group of Death” draw at Euro 2012, alongside Spain, Italy and Croatia. It was little surprise to see The Boys in Green lose all three group games, scoring just one goal in the process. A 3-1 loss to Croatia set the tone, with eventual champions, Spain, thrashing Ireland 4-0 in Gdansk. Ireland couldn’t get any respite in Poznan either, losing 2-0 to Italy.

Euro 2016, France

It was another play-off qualification for Ireland’s Euro 2016 bid. They finished as one of the best third-placed teams, locking horns with Bosnia & Herzegovina over two legs. After a 1-1 draw in the opening leg, Ireland won 2-0 in the deciding leg thanks to a brace from powerhouse forward, Jonathan Walters.

Ireland were drawn in an entertaining group with Italy, Belgium and Sweden in Group E. Ireland drew with Sweden in their opening game, but were comfortably beaten by a Romelu Lukaku-inspired Belgium. However, an historic win over Italy, culminating in Robbie Brady’s late winner, secured Ireland a place in the knockout stages.

Unfortunately for The Boys in Green, they were paired with hosts, France, in the last 16. Despite Robbie Brady blasting Ireland ahead from the penalty spot after just two minutes, France struck twice in three second-half minutes to take the ascendancy. A last 16 finish is the best the nation has ever achieved at a Euro finals, but Euro 2028 could offer an opportunity to emulate or even surpass those feats.