/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F37%2Fwelcome-to-sports-mole-transparent-click-area.png "Welcome to Sports Mole")
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F20%2F31%2Fsports-mole-favicon-32x32.png "Sports Mole FAVICON"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F12%2Froilog.png "Republic of Ireland national football team")
International Friendlies
Sep 10, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F12%2Fbullog.png "Bulgaria national football team")
3-1
Reaction
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F18%2F52%2Faaron-connolly.jpg "Aaron Connolly in action for Brighton & Hove Albion on July 24, 2018")
Mick McCarthy talks up teen striker Aaron Connolly
The 19-year-old scored twice in Brighton's Premier League win over Tottenham.Oct 7, 14:55
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F37%2Falan-browne.jpg "Alan Browne celebrates scoring for Ireland on September 10, 2019")
Alan Browne: 'I've given my all for Ireland'
The midfielder opened the scoring with his first senior international goal.Sep 11, 08:44
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F37%2Fjames-collins.jpg "James Collins celebrates scoring for Ireland on September 10, 2019")
Luton striker James Collins staying grounded after maiden Ireland goal
Collins is thinking only of Luton's league trip to QPR.Sep 11, 08:39
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F31%2Ftroy-parrott.jpg "Troy Parrott in action for Spurs on July 30, 2019")
Mick McCarthy: 'Troy Parrott needs to get into Spurs first team'
The Ireland boss is unlikely to turn to the nation's youngsters just yet.Sep 11, 04:40
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F36%2Fmick-mccarthy.jpg "Mick McCarthy pictured on September 5, 2019")
Mick McCarthy praises "effective" Jack Byrne
Ireland scored twice in the final seven minutes to seal the win.Sep 11, 04:31
Build-up
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F15%2Fconor-hourihane.jpg "Aston Villa's Conor Hourihane celebrates scoring their second goal against Bristol City on April 13, 2019")
Conor Hourihane to play at left-back when Republic of Ireland host Bulgaria
The Aston Villa man has started all five qualifiers in midfield.Sep 10, 08:54
Jack Byrne: 'Crazy to be on verge of Ireland debut'
The midfielder was signed by Manchester City as a 14-year-old.Sep 10, 08:33
Ireland vs. Bulgaria: Five talking points ahead of friendly
McCarthy remains unbeaten in the five games since he returned to the hot-seat.Sep 9, 12:32
Mick McCarthy refuses to raid Ireland Under-21 squad for friendly
McCarthy drafted Robbie Keane and Damien Duff into the senior set-up as Ireland boss.Sep 9, 12:29
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F37%2Fkrasimir-balakov.jpg "Krasimir Balakov at a Bulgaria training session on September 6, 2019")
In Focus: Ireland's next opponents Bulgaria
Krasimir Balakov's men arrive in Dublin fresh from Saturday's 4-0 drubbing by England.Sep 9, 09:43
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F21%2Fjohn-egan.jpg "Sheffield United defender John Egan pictured in March 2019")
Sheffield United defender John Egan ready to step up for Ireland
The defender has made an impressive start to life in the Premier League.Sep 8, 15:14
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F36%2Fdarren-randolph.jpg "Darren Randolph during an Ireland training session on September 4, 2019")
Darren Randolph unapologetic over defensive Ireland
The Middlesbrough keeper has conceded only two goals during the campaign to date.Sep 7, 11:47
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F35%2Fcallum-robinson.jpg "Callum Robinson celebrates scoring his first Sheffield United goal against Chelsea in the Premier League on August 31.")
David McGoldrick, Callum Robinson withdraw from Ireland squad
The Sheffield United pair have returned to their club for treatment.Sep 6, 16:43
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/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F06%2FGambleAware%20Secondary%20Main%20Grey.png "on February 3, 2024"){kind=small}