Republic of Ireland v Wales Football Results

The Republic of Ireland has played Wales 15 times with a win ratio of 40%. Of the 15 matches between the two countries the Irish and Welsh have only met four times in competitive matches, In the Euro 2008 qualifiers and the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Although the two nations are very close geographically it was not until September 1960 that they played a full international. This was a friendly match played at Dalymount Park.

Despite two goals from Fionan Fagan, of Derby County, the Welsh prevailed 2-3.

Jack Charlton’s First Match Was Against Wales

Ireland’s first non-Irish football manager, Jack Charlton, began his highly successful international career against Wales in March 1986. Unfortunately for the gregarious Englishman Ireland were beaten 0-1 by the Welsh at Lansdowne Road. The great Welsh and Liverpool forward, Ian Rush, scored the winner after 16 minutes.

The match was also notable for the fact that it marked the beginning of Charlton’s controversial exploitation of the so-called Granny Rule. John Aldridge and Ray Houghton made their international debuts in the match.

Another noteworthy aspect of the match was that Welsh goalkeeper Neville Southall broke his ankle on the atrocious Lansdowne Road surface.

First Competitive Match Between Ireland and Wales

After nine friendly matches Ireland and Wales met for the first time in a competitive match in March 2007. Stephen Staunton was the Irish manager at the time and the two teams met in a Euro 2008 qualifier . The occasion was hugely significant as it was the first ever international soccer match played at Croke Park.

Lansdowne Road was under re-development at the time and the GAA had magnanimously and generously agreed to make Croke Park available for FAI international matches. Ireland won the match courtesy of a 39th minute from the controversial Stephen Ireland.

The return match in Wales was played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. It was Ireland’s final match of that Euro qualification campaign. The match ended up as a 2-2 draw. The match was a dead rubber as neither team could have qualified for the finals in Portugal in 2008. Two goals from Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle were cancelled out by a brace of goals from Jason Koumas including a last minute penalty.

Republic of Ireland Match Results Against Wales

Republic of Ireland v Wales Record Summary

Ireland v Wales World Cup Qualifiers Record

Ireland v Wales Euro Qualifiers Record

Ireland v Wales Friendly Matches Record