Republic of Ireland Senior Football Team Results 1970 to 1979

The 1970’s heralded the TV soccer era. Rather than just reading or hearing about soccer results for the first time most people in Ireland were able to tune in and watch live football matches from a major championship finals i.e. the 1970 Mexico World Cup.

Added to this were the weekly English soccer highlights programs such as the BBC’s Match of the Day and ITV’s Big Match that became regular viewing for Irish soccer fans in multi-channel areas.

John Giles Appointed Irish Football Manager

During this decade a new wave of very good Irish players emerged and prospered in the old English First Division. Soccer stars such as Liam Brady, Frank Stapleton, David O’Leary, Mark Lawrenson (qualified under the Granny Rule), and Don Givens all came to prominence in this decade.

It was also the decade that saw the appointment of Johnny Giles as player / manager of the senior Irish soccer team. John Giles was the first of a new breed of Irish soccer managers that brought a new sense of professionalism to the national soccer scene.

During the 1970’s the Republic of Ireland became more competitive and registered some impressive results but unfortunately for that generation of Irish soccer players they did not manage to make the breakthrough to qualification for a major football championship final.

Republic of Ireland Match Results 1970 to 1979 (inclusive)

Scores in parentheses are half-time scores