Republic of Ireland v Austria Football Results

The Republic of Ireland has played Austria 12 times with the first meeting between the two nations was a friendly in 1952. The result was a resounding 6-0 defeat for the Irish. The venue was the Praterstadion in Vienna.

In those days there was no Irish manager as the team was chosen by a selection committee. The Irish avenged this defeat the following year at Dalymount Park in Dublin winning 4-0 through goals from Alf Ringstead (2), Tommy Eglington, Frank O’Farrell.

The first competitive matches between Ireland and Austria were in the Nations Cup (what the European championship was known as) qualifiers in 1963. The match in Vienna ended in a 0-0 draw however goals from Liam Tuohy and Noel Cantwell were not enough to prevent a defeat at Dalymount Park. Incidentally this was the first Irish international match that future Irish manager, Brian Kerr ever attended. As was common in those days for children, he ‘bunked’ into ‘Dalyer’ for free. The 0-0 draw was as good as it would get for the Irish in competitive matches against the Austrians. The next four matches, all in Euro qualifiers, all ended in sound beatings for the Republic.

Ireland V Austria in 1972 European Championship Qualifiers

Ireland met Austria in the 1972 European Championship qualifiers. It was a tough group that also included Italy and Sweden. Ireland finished last in the group with a single point from a home draw against Sweden in the opening match.

The first match against Austria was at Dalymount Park in May 1971 and the Irish were well beaten by four goals to one. To add insult to injury Austria’s third goal was and own goal by Irish captain Tony Dunne of Manchester United. The match was also notable for other reasons. It was Eamon Dunphy’s last cap for Ireland as well as the last match as Irish football manager for Mick Meagan. Coventry City’s Jimmy Holmes became Ireland’s youngest debutant at 17 years and 200 days. Noel Campbell and Jimmy Dunne also made their debuts.

The return match in Vienna, five months later, was even more of a calamity – a 6-0 thrashing. Perhaps it was predictable as new Irish manager, Liam Tuohy, used 12 home based players and handed debuts to Paddy Roche, Mick Gannon, Tommy McConville, John Herrick, Mick Kearin, Mick Martin, and Damien Richardson.

Ireland V Austria in Euro 1996 Qualifiers

The 1996 Euro qualification campaign was the last for legendary Irish manager Jack Charlton. Despite losing by a 3-1 scoreline to Austria at home and away Ireland still managed second place in the group ahead of the Austrians. In the first match at Lansdowne Road (now Aviva Stadium) Ireland actually took the lead after 66 minutes through a goal from Ray Houghton. The lead only lasted eight minutes and a further six minutes saw the Austrians secure an unassailable 3-1 lead. Three months later in the return tie Ireland lost by a similar score with the incomparable Paul McGrath scoring Ireland’s only goal.

Ireland V Austria in 2014 World Cup Qualifiers

Ireland played Austria at the Aviva Stadium in Ireland’s fifth match in Group C of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni came into the match under some pressure to hold on to his job. Within 11 minutes of the kick-off his grasp of his position was loosened as a mistake by Ciaran Clarke let Martin Harnik in to slip the ball past Irish goalkeeper David Ford into the net. 1-0 to Austria.

To the credit of the Irish players they fought back valiantly and when Shane Long was fouled in the Austrian box this allowed Jon Walters to equalise from the spot. The same player put the Irish into the lead just before half time when he guided his header, from a Glenn Whelan corner, into the Austrian goal.

Ireland lived dangerously during the second half but the 2-1 lead stayed in tact until injury time. With less than a minute of injury time remaining Austrian dangerman Alaba saw his defelected shot nestle in the Irish net. The final whistle went just after the restart leaving the Austrians cheering and the Irish utterly dejected. In fairness a draw was probably a fair reflection of the match. This result left the three teams that were vying for the runners-up spot, Ireland, Austria and Sweden locked together on eight points.

In the return encounter, in a must-win match, Ireland were beaten 1-0 for the second time in four days. A late goal from David Alaba ended Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup finals. With those hopes also went Giovanni Trapattoni’s hold on the Republic of Ireland manager’s job. He resigned the next morning.

Ireland V Austria in 2016 World Cup Qualifiers

Ireland played Austria in Vienna in their first meeting in Group D of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in November 2016. Despite a very poor record against the Austrians Ireland achieved their first victory in Vienna in eight attempts. Derryman James McClean latched on to a Wes Hoolahan pass and nutmegged the Austrian /goalkeeper to give the Martin O’Neill’s team a vital away win.

Republic of Ireland Match Results Against Austria

Republic of Ireland v Austria Record Summary

Ireland v Austria Euro Qualifiers Record

Ireland v Austria World Cup Qualifiers Record

Ireland v Austria Friendly Matches Record