EAMON DUNPHY admitted he “couldn’t be happier to eat humble pie” as he showered praise on Heimir Hallgrimsson after Ireland’s famous win over Portugal. The former RTE

Portugal boss Roberto Martinez took a swipe at Heimir Hallgrimsson as he defended Cristiano Ronaldo, who saw red in his team's 2-0 World Cup qualifier loss to the Republic of Ireland.

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson noted Cristiano Ronaldo ’s influence on referees after Portugal’s 1-0 victory Ireland in Lisbon last month. Hallgrímsson said as much during a press conference earlier in the week ahead of Ireland’s 2-0 victory at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday night.

IRELAND were slick as a Parrott as they saw off Portugal as Cristiano Ronaldo saw red. Troy Parrott scored a first-half double before Ronaldo became the third visiting player in a row to be sent

If Ireland fail to beat Hungary, another major tournament will have eluded them, and they will have to wait until Euro 2028, where they are expected to qualify as co-hosts. But the Portugal win has provided a blueprint for this group of players’ future and proven they can compete with elite international sides.

Ridicule or redemption for both Hallgrímsson and the Irish players, comes next. If, somehow, they can secure four points from two matches in three days against Portugal and Hunga

JAMES McCLEAN has ruled out a return to the Ireland fold despite Heimir Hallgrimsson saying he was “in our minds”. The former Republic of Ireland international retired from