Republic of Ireland 3 - 0 Gibraltar | 2024 - UEFA European Qualifiers | 2036362

European Qualifiers Qualifying - Group B | Aviva Stadium, Dublin
19 June 2023 - 19:45

Republic of Ireland 3 - 0 Gibraltar

Johnston(52) Ferguson(59) Idah(90+2) full-time
Republic of Ireland Gibraltar

REPORT | Ireland 3-0 Gibraltar - 100 up for Jimmy

With a 3-0 victory over Gibraltar, the Republic of Ireland collected their first points of the UEFA EURO 2024 qualification campaign.
2541500 (1).jpg
19th Jun 2023

Mikey Johnston and Evan Ferguson scored their first competitive goals for Ireland in the second-half, and Adam Idah scored his first competitive goal in additional time to give the hosts a much-needed victory in their bid to qualify for Germany.

Stephen Kenny made five changes from the side that post to Greece with Jamie McGrath, James McClean, Jason Knight, Dara O'Shea and Michael Obafemi all coming into the squad. McClean captained the side on a night in which he earned his 100th cap for the Republic of Ireland.

The first shot on goal came in the first minute when a cross into the Gibraltar area was met by Jamie McGrath, whose low effort was stopped by Coleing on the second attempt. Ireland kept pressing with Dara O'Shea having a shot on goal from the edge of the box, but his effort was well saved.

Following a brilliant pass from Jason Knight on the right, Michael Obafemi went close, but the ball narrowly avoided the on-rushing striker. When Evan Ferguson's curling effort had to be gathered on the second attempt, he forced a great Coleing.

He was to go close again as a McClean cross was met by the Irish forward, but his shot was just wide of the far post. McGrath forced another superb save from Coleing when his shot from the edge of the area was tipped over for a corner.

Early in the second half, a Will Smallbone free-kick deflected off the wall into the path of Mikey Johnston, who tucked it past Coleing to score his first senior goal for Ireland. They were to get their second after some patient build-up, Mikey Johnston and Jamie McGrath combined to give the ball to McClean, whose first-time cross was met by Evan Ferguson, who rose high to tip it beyond the oncoming Coleing.

In the space of 60 seconds, Troy Parrott, Mikey Johnston, and Dara O'Shea all had shots on goal, forcing Coleing into two superb stops to keep Ireland from adding a third. Following a goal effort by De Barr, John Egan was forced to make a defensive clearance for a corner.

This was followed by Hartman's goal effort from the subsequent corner, which forced Bazunu into a superb stop. Mikey Johnston almost scored a third after cutting in from the left and curling a shot just beyond the far post.

James McClean came agonisingly close to scoring on his 100th cap, but his shot was deflected by a corner. Jamie McGrath went close again from the subsequent corner, but his effort brushed the crossbar.

Evan Ferguson forced another fine save from Coleing, he was forced to scramble the ball behind following a precise cross from Alan Browne saw Ferguson head it powerfully towards goal.

Ireland added a third goal when McClean's cross found Adam Idah on the six-yard line and he nodded it past Coleing for his first international goal.

Republic of Ireland: Bazunu (GK), O’Shea, Egan, Cullen, Ferguson (Idah 83), Obafemi (Parrott 57), McClean ©, N. Collins (Johnston 46), Knight (Hendrick 83), McGrath, Smallbone (Browne 72).
Subs not used: Kelleher (GK) Travers (GK) Sykes O’Dowda, Molumby, Johnston, Lenihan, Scales
Gibraltar: Coleing (GK), Sergeant (Wiseman 46), Annesley, Pozo (Jolley 67), El Hmidi (De Barr 46), Bernardo Lopes, Hartman, Olivero, R. Chipolina (Mouelhi, 42), Ronan, Britto (Ballantine 72).
Subs not used: Banda (GK), Hankins (GK), J. Chipolina, Badr, Hernandez, J. Coombes, Peacock.
Booked: Sergeant (Gibraltar), Jolley (Gibraltar)
Sent Off: None
Man of the Match: Jason Knight
Referee: Marian Alexandru Barbu (ROU)
Attendance: 42,156

REPORT | Ireland 3-0 Gibraltar - 100 up for Jimmy

With a 3-0 victory over Gibraltar, the Republic of Ireland collected their first points of the UEFA EURO 2024 qualification campaign.
2541500 (1).jpg
19th Jun 2023

Mikey Johnston and Evan Ferguson scored their first competitive goals for Ireland in the second-half, and Adam Idah scored his first competitive goal in additional time to give the hosts a much-needed victory in their bid to qualify for Germany.

Stephen Kenny made five changes from the side that post to Greece with Jamie McGrath, James McClean, Jason Knight, Dara O'Shea and Michael Obafemi all coming into the squad. McClean captained the side on a night in which he earned his 100th cap for the Republic of Ireland.

The first shot on goal came in the first minute when a cross into the Gibraltar area was met by Jamie McGrath, whose low effort was stopped by Coleing on the second attempt. Ireland kept pressing with Dara O'Shea having a shot on goal from the edge of the box, but his effort was well saved.

Following a brilliant pass from Jason Knight on the right, Michael Obafemi went close, but the ball narrowly avoided the on-rushing striker. When Evan Ferguson's curling effort had to be gathered on the second attempt, he forced a great Coleing.

He was to go close again as a McClean cross was met by the Irish forward, but his shot was just wide of the far post. McGrath forced another superb save from Coleing when his shot from the edge of the area was tipped over for a corner.

Early in the second half, a Will Smallbone free-kick deflected off the wall into the path of Mikey Johnston, who tucked it past Coleing to score his first senior goal for Ireland. They were to get their second after some patient build-up, Mikey Johnston and Jamie McGrath combined to give the ball to McClean, whose first-time cross was met by Evan Ferguson, who rose high to tip it beyond the oncoming Coleing.

In the space of 60 seconds, Troy Parrott, Mikey Johnston, and Dara O'Shea all had shots on goal, forcing Coleing into two superb stops to keep Ireland from adding a third. Following a goal effort by De Barr, John Egan was forced to make a defensive clearance for a corner.

This was followed by Hartman's goal effort from the subsequent corner, which forced Bazunu into a superb stop. Mikey Johnston almost scored a third after cutting in from the left and curling a shot just beyond the far post.

James McClean came agonisingly close to scoring on his 100th cap, but his shot was deflected by a corner. Jamie McGrath went close again from the subsequent corner, but his effort brushed the crossbar.

Evan Ferguson forced another fine save from Coleing, he was forced to scramble the ball behind following a precise cross from Alan Browne saw Ferguson head it powerfully towards goal.

Ireland added a third goal when McClean's cross found Adam Idah on the six-yard line and he nodded it past Coleing for his first international goal.

Republic of Ireland: Bazunu (GK), O’Shea, Egan, Cullen, Ferguson (Idah 83), Obafemi (Parrott 57), McClean ©, N. Collins (Johnston 46), Knight (Hendrick 83), McGrath, Smallbone (Browne 72).
Subs not used: Kelleher (GK) Travers (GK) Sykes O’Dowda, Molumby, Johnston, Lenihan, Scales
Gibraltar: Coleing (GK), Sergeant (Wiseman 46), Annesley, Pozo (Jolley 67), El Hmidi (De Barr 46), Bernardo Lopes, Hartman, Olivero, R. Chipolina (Mouelhi, 42), Ronan, Britto (Ballantine 72).
Subs not used: Banda (GK), Hankins (GK), J. Chipolina, Badr, Hernandez, J. Coombes, Peacock.
Booked: Sergeant (Gibraltar), Jolley (Gibraltar)
Sent Off: None
Man of the Match: Jason Knight
Referee: Marian Alexandru Barbu (ROU)
Attendance: 42,156

Match Preview | Ireland v Gibraltar

Republic of Ireland go in search of their first points of the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying campaign when they welcome Gibraltar to the Aviva Stadium tomorrow.
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19th Jun 2023

Ireland suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Greece in Athens on Friday night so will be looking to bounce back on Monday night against Gibraltar.

Gibraltar come into the game on the back of a 3-0 defeat to France at home as they're also looking for their first points of the campaign.

Match Details

Fixture: Republic of Ireland v Gibraltar
Competition: UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying
Date: Monday, June 19
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Venue: Aviva Stadium
TV: RTE
Tickets: Available here - Limited Availability

Match Officials

Referee: Mihai Marica (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Imre Laszlo Bucsi (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Ovidiu Haţegan (ROU)
Fourth Official: Sebastian Colţescu (ROU)
Video Assistant Referee: Cătălin Popa (ROU)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Sebastian Colţescu (ROU)

Team News

Matt Doherty has been suspended following his red card against Greece so will not feature. Stephen Kenny has no other injury concerns but has confirmed James McClean will be captain of the side for his 100th cap.

Kenny is also set to make a number of changes from the Greece defeat with the tight turnaround in between the two fixtures.

What he said - Ireland manager Stephen Kenny

"My contract is up 'til the end of the campaign, and whether it’s renewed will depend on how people feel the campaign went overall, but certainly I fully expect to be.

"We want a positive result tomorrow and that’s firmly what I’m focused on.

On Qualification: "It would have been a lot easier if we had won on Friday, we made life difficult for ourselves and we are just going to have to get some exceptional results between now and the end of the season.

"France, I think will win the group, that's pretty clear, Greece have to play Holland twice, we have to play Holland twice, play Greece in Dublin, so there's still a lot of football to be played. I said at the time of the draw there are four teams that are capable of qualifying.

"They all got to play each other. We got to take the set-back on the chin and bounce back, get a victory tomorrow and take it from there."

What he said - Defender James McClean

“Representing Ireland is incredible. Being able to do that just once was special. I’ve never hidden the fact of how proud I am to be Irish. To be given the opportunity to step on the pitch and effect games for your country, that’s what I’m proudest of.

"To get 100 caps and join the illustrious names on that list will be pretty special. Not just for everyone but my family and for everyone who has helped me to make that happen. It’s certainly one I’ll enjoy.”

WATCH FULL PRESS CONFERENCE HERE

Opta Stats - Republic of Ireland v Gibraltar

- Republic of Ireland have won all four of their matches against Gibraltar by an aggregate score of 14-0, with all games coming in European Championship qualifiers.
- This is the third consecutive European Championship qualifying campaign to see the Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar face off – the Boys in Green scored 11 goals against them in Euro 2016 qualifying, but only netted three times against them in Euro 2020 qualifying.
- Republic of Ireland lost their first home European Championship qualifier of this campaign against France but haven’t lost consecutive home Euro qualifiers since May 1971, losing to Italy and Austria.
- Gibraltar have lost all 41 matches they have played in qualifying rounds for a major tournament (World Cup/Euros), conceding 186 goals and scoring just 12 in these games. Only once have they conceded just one goal in a match, with that coming against Republic of Ireland in March 2019.
- Republic of Ireland have only scored 15 goals in their last 18 home qualifying matches, since beating Gibraltar 7-0 in October 2014. They've scored more than once in just two of these 18 games, but haven't netted more than twice in any of them.
- Gibraltar have faced 112 shots in their three qualifying matches for Euro 2024 so far, an average of 37 per game.

Republic of Ireland Squad - Gibraltar

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth).
Defenders: Mark Sykes (Bristol City), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Nathan Collins (Wolverhampton Wanderers), John Egan (Sheffield United), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Darragh Lenihan (Middlesbrough), Liam Scales (Celtic).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jason Knight (Derby County), Jamie McGrath (Wigan Athletic), Jack Taylor (Peterborough United).
Forwards: Adam Idah (Norwich City), Michael Obafemi (Burnley), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Troy Parrott (Tottenham Hotspur), Mikey Johnston (Vitória de Guimarães, on loan from Celtic).

UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying - June Fixtures

16/06 - Greece 2-1 Ireland, OPAP Arena, 7.45pm
19/06 - Ireland v Gibraltar, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm

Tactical Lineups

Republic of Ireland

1 Bazunu (G) 4 O'Shea 5 Egan 6 Cullen 7 Ferguson 9 Obafemi 11 McClean (C) 12 Collins 17 Knight 18 McGrath 21 Smallbone

Coach

Stephen Kenny

Gibraltar

23 Coleing (G) 4 Sergeant 5 Annesley 7 Pozo 9 El Hmidi 10 Bernardo Lopes 11 Hartman 12 Olivero 14 Chipolina (C) 17 Ronan 20 Britto

Substitutes

  • 1 Bradley Banda (G)
  • 13 Jaylan Hankins (G)
  • 2 Ethan Jolley
  • 3 Joseph Chipolina
  • 6 Scott Wiseman
  • 8 Mohamed Badr
  • 15 Scott Ballantine
  • 16 Aymen Mouelhi
  • 18 Anthony Hernandez
  • 19 Tjay De Barr
  • 21 Jamie Coombes
  • 22 Dylan Peacock

Coach

Julio Ribas

Officials

  • Referee Marian Alexandru Barbu
  • Assistant Referees Mihai Marica
  • UEFA Delegate Duško Grabovac
  • Assistant Referee Two Imre Laszlo Bucsi
  • Fourth Official Sebastian Colţescu
  • Video Assistant Referee Ovidiu Haţegan
  • Referee Observer Uno Tutk
  • Assistant Video Assistant Referee Cătălin Popa

Minute by Minute Commentary

  • 1" The match is under way.
  • 1" Jamie McGrath (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
  • 1" Dayle Coleing (Gibraltar) blocks a shot.
  • 4" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 4" Dara O'Shea (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 16" James McClean (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 17" Dara O'Shea (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
  • 17" Dayle Coleing (Gibraltar) blocks a shot.
  • 17" John Egan (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Ayoub El Hmidi (Gibraltar).
  • 18" Ethan Britto (Gibraltar) takes the free-kick.
  • 18" Bernardo Lopes (Gibraltar) has an effort on goal.
  • 18" Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 21" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Niels Hartman (Gibraltar).
  • 21" Louie Annesley (Gibraltar) takes the free-kick.
  • 23" Evan Ferguson (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
  • 23" Dayle Coleing (Gibraltar) blocks a shot.
  • 29" James McClean (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 29" Bernardo Lopes (Gibraltar) blocks a shot.
  • 29" Jason Knight (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 30" Evan Ferguson (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 31" Ayoub El Hmidi (Gibraltar) is penalised for a foul on Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland).
  • 32" John Egan (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 35" James McClean (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 35" John Sergeant (Gibraltar) is penalised for a foul on James McClean (Republic of Ireland).
  • 36" John Sergeant (Gibraltar) is cautioned by the referee.
  • 37" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 39" James McClean (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 39" Jamie McGrath (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 41" Nicholas Pozo (Gibraltar) blocks a shot.
  • 41" James McClean (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 41" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
  • 41" Dayle Coleing (Gibraltar) blocks a shot.
  • 43" Aymen Mouelhi (in) - Roy Chipolina (out) (@@teamID)
  • 44" Jamie McGrath (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
  • 44" Dayle Coleing (Gibraltar) blocks a shot.
  • 45" James McClean (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 45+2" Ayoub El Hmidi (Gibraltar) is penalised for a foul on John Egan (Republic of Ireland).
  • 45+2" John Egan (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 45+4" The referee blows for half-time.
  • 46" The second half begins.
  • 46" Tjay De Barr (in) - Ayoub El Hmidi (out) (@@teamID)
  • 46" Scott Wiseman (in) - John Sergeant (out) (@@teamID)
  • 46" Mikey Johnston (in) - Nathan Collins (out) (@@teamID)
  • 47" Ethan Britto (Gibraltar) takes the corner.
  • 47" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 49" Mikey Johnston (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 49" Louie Annesley (Gibraltar) blocks a shot.
  • 50" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 50" Dara O'Shea (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 50" Ethan Britto (Gibraltar) blocks a shot.
  • 50" Michael Obafemi (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 51" Bernardo Lopes (Gibraltar) is penalised for a foul on @@player2 (@@team2).
  • 52" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 52" Niels Hartman (Gibraltar) blocks a shot.
  • 52" Mikey Johnston (Republic of Ireland) scores!
  • 53" Tjay De Barr (Gibraltar) takes the free-kick.
  • 55" Kian Ronan (Gibraltar) blocks a shot.
  • 55" Mikey Johnston (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 56" Tjay De Barr (Gibraltar) is flagged for offside.
  • 56" John Egan (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 57" James McClean (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 57" Troy Parrott (in) - Michael Obafemi (out) (@@teamID)
  • 59" James McClean (Republic of Ireland) assists.
  • 59" Evan Ferguson (Republic of Ireland) scores!
  • 65" @@player1 (@@team1) blocks a shot.
  • 65" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 65" Jayce Olivero (Gibraltar) blocks a shot.
  • 65" Jason Knight (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 66" Troy Parrott (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
  • 66" Dayle Coleing (Gibraltar) blocks a shot.
  • 67" Mikey Johnston (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
  • 67" Dayle Coleing (Gibraltar) blocks a shot.
  • 67" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
  • 67" Dayle Coleing (Gibraltar) blocks a shot.
  • 68" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Niels Hartman (Gibraltar).
  • 68" Ethan Jolley (in) - Nicholas Pozo (out) (@@teamID)
  • 68" Kian Ronan (Gibraltar) takes the free-kick.
  • 69" Evan Ferguson (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 69" Tjay De Barr (Gibraltar) has a shot blocked.
  • 69" Ethan Britto (Gibraltar) takes the corner.
  • 69" Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 70" Ethan Jolley (Gibraltar) is penalised for a foul on Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland).
  • 70" Ethan Jolley (Gibraltar) is cautioned by the referee.
  • 71" James McClean (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 72" Alan Browne (in) - William Smallbone (out) (@@teamID)
  • 73" Scott Ballantine (in) - Ethan Britto (out) (@@teamID)
  • 74" Mikey Johnston (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 75" James McClean (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 75" Mikey Johnston (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 77" Mikey Johnston (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 79" James McClean (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 79" Louie Annesley (Gibraltar) blocks a shot.
  • 80" James McClean (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 80" Jamie McGrath (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 81" James McClean (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 82" Evan Ferguson (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
  • 82" Dayle Coleing (Gibraltar) blocks a shot.
  • 82" Mikey Johnston (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 82" Alan Browne (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
  • 82" Dayle Coleing (Gibraltar) blocks a shot.
  • 84" Adam Idah (in) - Evan Ferguson (out) (@@teamID)
  • 84" Jeff Hendrick (in) - Jason Knight (out) (@@teamID)
  • 85" James McClean (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 85" Alan Browne (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 85" Bernardo Lopes (Gibraltar) blocks a shot.
  • 85" Mikey Johnston (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 86" Adam Idah (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Bernardo Lopes (Gibraltar).
  • 87" Dayle Coleing (Gibraltar) takes the free-kick.
  • 89" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Tjay De Barr (Gibraltar).
  • 90" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 90+2" James McClean (Republic of Ireland) assists.
  • 90+2" Adam Idah (Republic of Ireland) scores!
  • 90+4" The final whistle is blown.

Match Statistics

  • Republic of Ireland
  • Gibraltar

Corners Won

14 2

Shots on Target

13 1

Shots off Target

9 0

Fouls Committed

5 5
  • Republic of Ireland

    Gibraltar

  • 3Goals0
  • 0Yellow Card(s)2
  • 0Red Card(s)0
  • 13Shots on Goal1
  • 9Shots Wide0
  • 10Shot(s) Blocked1
  • 3Save(s)20
  • 32Total Shots2
  • 5Fouls Committed5
  • 14Corner(s)2
  • 0Offside(s)1