John O’Shea boosted his cause to become Republic of Ireland manager on a permanent basis after a 2-1 win over Euro 2024-bound Hungary. Troy Parrott scored a last-minute winner to earn O’Shea his first win as interim manager in a low-key affair at the Aviva Stadium. Adam Idah headed home the opener in the 36th minute before Adam Lang equalised four minutes later when he converted from close range.
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Ademola Lookman scored a sensational hat-trick as Atalanta ended a 61-year trophy drought while devastating Bayer Leverkusen’s dream of an unbeaten season in the Europa League final at a boisterous Aviva Stadium. Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen had not lost in 51 games this season and were only two matches from perfection. But former Charlton Athletic winger Lookman had other ideas scoring a superb hat-trick for La Dea.
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The Republic of Ireland fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat by Euro 2024-bound Switzerland in a low-key friendly in Dublin. Xherdan Shaqiri struck the winner in the 23rd minute when he curled a free-kick into the bottom corner. Granit Xhaka hit the post from 40 yards as he almost capitalised on a poor clearance by Gavin Bazunu.
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Evan Ferguson missed an early penalty for the Republic as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Belgium in a friendly at the Aviva Stadium. In John O’Shea’s first game as interim manager, Ferguson saw his tame spot-kick saved by Belgium goalkeeper Matz Sels. The Boys in Green more than impressed albeit against a much changed Belgian side that was without the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne.
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For the second year in a row Ireland have been crowned Guinness Six Nations champions on home soil, and for the second year in a row they survived a few scares along the way to seal it. Andy Farrell’s side completed back-to-back championships with a 17-13 defeat of Scotland on the final day of the campaign, overpowering the visitors in the final quarter after what had been an error-strewn first hour.
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