REPORT | UEFA Regions' Cup | Ireland 8-0 Malta

Nov 4 2026

A fast start helped Ireland to record a 8-0 win over Malta in their second game of the 2026-27 UEFA Regions' Cup in the Munster FA Turner's Cross Stadium.

After losing 2-1 to Belarus in their first outing of this three-game series, Head Coach Jason Purcell freshened up the team by making seven changes to the starting line-up.

Midfielder Conor Kilgannon, who plays for Villa in Waterford, opened the scoring inside two minutes when he headed in from close range after Malta failed to clear the danger.

College Corinthians attacker Keelan Crowley made it 2-0 on 14 minutes by converting a rebound from a stinging shot delivered by Rockmount's Eoin Murphy.

Malta attempted to pull one back with a shot on goal on 42 minutes but Midleton goalkeeper Shane Hallahan was on full alert and blocked the effort with his foot.

Just before the interval, Ireland got their third goal when Villa defender John Tamen steamed forward on an overlapping run and applied a neat finish into the far corner of the net.

Ireland notched their fourth goal of the game on 54 minutes when Newmarket Celtic forward Eoin Hayes found himself unmarked at the back post to head in after the ball was deflected into his path.

Coachford's Luke Casey added a fifth goal on 64 minutes when his low cross was turned into the back of the net by the Malta goalkeeper.

On 70 minutes, the home team were celebrating again. Kilgannon got his second of the game after meeting a free-kick from Crowley with a deft header.

Crowley then polished off a fine team performance with two late goals to complete his hat-trick - the first after he slid in to connect with a Tamen cross and the second from the penalty spot.

Ireland will next take on Croatia on Saturday, November 7th in the same venue. Croatia currently sit top of Group 8 following two wins, so it comes down to this game to see who will advance to the Finals Tournament.

Ireland: Shane Hallahan; Jake Dillon, Christopher McCarthy (Sean Guerins 74), Cian Murphy (Jason Cross 79), John Tamen; Matt Keane (Jack Cairns 79), Conor Kilgannon, Jamie O'Sullivan; Eoin Murphy (Luke Casey 46), Eoin Hayes (Conor Coughlan 68), Keelan Crowley.

Goalscorers: Conor Kilgannon 2, 70, Keelan Crowley 14, 89, 90 pen, John Tamen 45, Eoin Hayes 54, Luke Casey 64.

Head Coach: Jason Purcell.