Ireland face a considerable challenge tonight against a Senegal team ranked 19th in the world — 41 places above Ireland.
However, the visitors are understrength, with ex-Liverpool star Sadio Mane among the absentees.
However, as Heimir Hallgrimsson has alluded to, more important than the result tonight is that Ireland get some good preparation in, ahead of the World Cup qualifiers at home to Hungary and away versus Armenia in September.
With key players like Josh Cullen and Finn Azaz not in the squad, as expected, the Irish boss has named a somewhat experimental side with fringe players like Jack Taylor and Kasey McAteer getting a chance.
Kick-off at the Aviva is at 7.45pm.
6 Jun
7:04PM
Confirmation of the Irish team below…
STARTING XI | Ireland v Senegal
First starts in a green shirt for @LCFC winger Kasey McAteer and @IpswichTown midfielder Jack Taylor as Adam Idah starts up front 👏
Great to see Will Smallbone return to the starting line-up with kick-off at 7.45pm 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/R1SP0l7Oyg
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) June 6, 2025
Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson with strength and conditioning coach Pepe Lázaro Ramírez before the game. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
6 Jun
7:46PM
We’re underway…
6 Jun
7:51PM
5 mins: Early scare for Ireland.
Diatta’s corner deflects off the foot of O’Shea and goes narrowly wide.
6 Jun
7:55PM
8 mins: McAteer gets the ball in plenty of space, but then misplaces a simple pass as an Ireland counter-attack breaks down.
It’s been a disjointed start from the hosts.
6 Jun
8:00PM
12 mins: O’Shea finds McAteer with a good crossfield pass.
The winger’s cross eludes everyone, but it’s kept in play and Ireland win a corner.
The ensuing set piece from Smallbone goes straight into Diouf’s arms.
6 Jun
8:05PM
18 mins: McAteer bursts forward down the right.
The Leicester star is tackled, but the ball falls kindly for Smallbone.
However, the Southampton man’s shot from distance drifts well wide.
So half-time and it’s been a very scrappy affair, with sporadic moments of excitement.
Kasey McAteer has looked like Ireland’s liveliest attacker and was rewarded for his persistence with a goal around the midway point of the half, after good work from Nathan Collins and Ryan Manning in the build-up.
The hosts have had long spells without the ball, but their opponents have seldom threatened.
Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men have had a few half-chances aside from the goal and probably just about deserve their narrow lead.
6 Jun
8:46PM
Here’s a look at the opening goal…
Kasey McAteer has put Ireland 1-0 up against Senegal #COYBIG#IRLSEN
Sima robs O’Shea of possession, but his cross deflects harmlessly away from goal.
Down the other end, a Smallbone shot from the edge of the area is parried away before Manning’s effort on the rebound is deflected into the side-netting.
Senegal fans. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
6 Jun
8:56PM
52 mins: Senegal go close!
Diatta rises above Manning to meet a cross, but Kelleher does really well to tip the powerful header onto the crossbar as Ireland breathe a sigh of relief.
That’s the first real save the new Brentford goalkeeper has had to make.
6 Jun
8:58PM
55 mins: Great skill by Manning on the left to nutmeg Mendy.
The Southampton star’s subsequent low cross is blocked, and it goes out for a corner.
6 Jun
9:01PM
57 mins: Dia’s goal-bound shot is deflected out for a corner via the trailing leg of O’Shea.
Senegal have definitely upped the tempo since the break.
Meanwhile, Ireland make a change — Jack Taylor, who picked up a knock in the first half, is replaced by Evan Ferguson, who is given a big cheer as he comes on.
6 Jun
9:04PM
60 mins: There are unsuccessful claims for a handball/penalty as McAteer tries to go past Diallo, it deflects off the latter near the arm area.
The Irish players are protesting vehemently, but having looked at two replays, it would have been harsh.
6 Jun
9:06PM
63 mins: Senegal make two changes now.
Diatta is replaced by Camara and Sarr is on for Sima.
6 Jun
9:10PM
66 mins: More Ireland changes.
Doherty and Manning are off, Jake O’Brien and Killian Phillips come on.
It’s a debut for the former Drogheda player Phillips, who has just joined St Mirren on a permanent deal after impressing on loan in the Scottish Premiership.
6 Jun
9:12PM
68 mins: Another big chance for Senegal.
A hopeful shot deflects off Dia and comes back off the post.
The visitors have had the better of this second half.
6 Jun
9:15PM
71 mins: Smallbone flights in a free kick from deep, but Ferguson’s header from well away from goal is off target.
Ireland have had very little joy from an attacking perspective in this second half.
6 Jun
9:20PM
77 mins: More Senegal changes.
Dia and Camara are off, Sabaly and Ndiaye come on.
6 Jun
9:22PM
80 minutes: This game has hit a lull in recent minutes.
The raft of substitutions haven’t helped.
6 Jun
9:23PM
81 mins: Two more changes for Ireland.
Smallbone and McAteer are replaced by Festy Ebosele and Andrew Moran.
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As it happened: Ireland v Senegal, international friendly
Ireland 1-1 Senegal
Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.
Ireland face a considerable challenge tonight against a Senegal team ranked 19th in the world — 41 places above Ireland.
However, the visitors are understrength, with ex-Liverpool star Sadio Mane among the absentees.
However, as Heimir Hallgrimsson has alluded to, more important than the result tonight is that Ireland get some good preparation in, ahead of the World Cup qualifiers at home to Hungary and away versus Armenia in September.
With key players like Josh Cullen and Finn Azaz not in the squad, as expected, the Irish boss has named a somewhat experimental side with fringe players like Jack Taylor and Kasey McAteer getting a chance.
Kick-off at the Aviva is at 7.45pm.
Confirmation of the Irish team below…
We’re underway…
5 mins: Early scare for Ireland.
Diatta’s corner deflects off the foot of O’Shea and goes narrowly wide.
8 mins: McAteer gets the ball in plenty of space, but then misplaces a simple pass as an Ireland counter-attack breaks down.
It’s been a disjointed start from the hosts.
12 mins: O’Shea finds McAteer with a good crossfield pass.
The winger’s cross eludes everyone, but it’s kept in play and Ireland win a corner.
The ensuing set piece from Smallbone goes straight into Diouf’s arms.
18 mins: McAteer bursts forward down the right.
The Leicester star is tackled, but the ball falls kindly for Smallbone.
However, the Southampton man’s shot from distance drifts well wide.
IRELAND 1-0 SENEGAL (MCATEER 21)
McAteer scores on his first start for Ireland.
Manning crosses into the area. Collins heads it on, and McAteer’s initial header is saved before he fires home the rebound.
It’s been a messy enough start, but that’s a welcome boost for Ireland.
24 mins: Senegal are on the ropes now.
Doherty plays a lovely pass for Manning, whose cross is cut out for a corner.
25 mins: A low McAteer cross gets cut out.
The Leicester man has really been in the thick of the action in these opening stages.
31 mins: Senegal have calmed the storm in recent minutes.
The visitors have had plenty of possession without creating any clear-cut chances.
33 mins: There is a break in play as Jack Taylor is receiving treatment.
He appeared to jar his knee while attempting a tackle.
It looks like he’ll be alright to continue.
39 mins: It’s been a very scrappy last few minutes with little in the way of goalmouth activity.
This game has had the feel of an end-of-season friendly at times.
42 mins: Senegal have had really sustained spells of possession at times.
But Ireland are controlling this game without the ball — Kelleher has had almost no involvement at all yet.
44 mins: A cross is half-cleared and falls to Mendy on the edge of the area.
But the Senegal star can’t make a proper connection on his first-time shot, and the ball sails well off target.
HALF-TIME: IRELAND 1-0 SENEGAL
So half-time and it’s been a very scrappy affair, with sporadic moments of excitement.
Kasey McAteer has looked like Ireland’s liveliest attacker and was rewarded for his persistence with a goal around the midway point of the half, after good work from Nathan Collins and Ryan Manning in the build-up.
The hosts have had long spells without the ball, but their opponents have seldom threatened.
Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men have had a few half-chances aside from the goal and probably just about deserve their narrow lead.
Here’s a look at the opening goal…
The second half has begun…
46 mins: Straight away, Senegal get a chance.
Sima robs O’Shea of possession, but his cross deflects harmlessly away from goal.
Down the other end, a Smallbone shot from the edge of the area is parried away before Manning’s effort on the rebound is deflected into the side-netting.
52 mins: Senegal go close!
Diatta rises above Manning to meet a cross, but Kelleher does really well to tip the powerful header onto the crossbar as Ireland breathe a sigh of relief.
That’s the first real save the new Brentford goalkeeper has had to make.
55 mins: Great skill by Manning on the left to nutmeg Mendy.
The Southampton star’s subsequent low cross is blocked, and it goes out for a corner.
57 mins: Dia’s goal-bound shot is deflected out for a corner via the trailing leg of O’Shea.
Senegal have definitely upped the tempo since the break.
Meanwhile, Ireland make a change — Jack Taylor, who picked up a knock in the first half, is replaced by Evan Ferguson, who is given a big cheer as he comes on.
60 mins: There are unsuccessful claims for a handball/penalty as McAteer tries to go past Diallo, it deflects off the latter near the arm area.
The Irish players are protesting vehemently, but having looked at two replays, it would have been harsh.
63 mins: Senegal make two changes now.
Diatta is replaced by Camara and Sarr is on for Sima.
66 mins: More Ireland changes.
Doherty and Manning are off, Jake O’Brien and Killian Phillips come on.
It’s a debut for the former Drogheda player Phillips, who has just joined St Mirren on a permanent deal after impressing on loan in the Scottish Premiership.
68 mins: Another big chance for Senegal.
A hopeful shot deflects off Dia and comes back off the post.
The visitors have had the better of this second half.
71 mins: Smallbone flights in a free kick from deep, but Ferguson’s header from well away from goal is off target.
Ireland have had very little joy from an attacking perspective in this second half.
77 mins: More Senegal changes.
Dia and Camara are off, Sabaly and Ndiaye come on.
80 minutes: This game has hit a lull in recent minutes.
The raft of substitutions haven’t helped.
81 mins: Two more changes for Ireland.
Smallbone and McAteer are replaced by Festy Ebosele and Andrew Moran.
IRELAND 1-1 SENEGAL (SARR 82)
Senegal are level.
A low cross comes in and the initial effort is saved by Kelleher, but Sarr is on hand to blast home the rebound from close range.
85 mins: Both sides make another sub.
For Ireland, Liam Scales replaces Brady. For Senegal, Diouf is on for Jakobs.
As I type, a diving header from Sabaly goes just wide.
The visitors are finishing this game strongly.
90 mins: Senegal have a free kick on the edge of the area.
A goal-bound shot deflected off the arm of Phillips.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time.
90 mins: It’s getting a bit heated.
Idah and Ndiaye have got involved in a shoving match, with both players booked as a result.
FULL-TIME: IRELAND 1-1 SENEGAL
So that’s that.
It was a dour enough second half, with so many stoppages, as is often the case with friendlies.
Ireland got the better of the opening period, but the visitors improved in the second half and deserved a draw.
None of the subs had much of an impact for the hosts, with few players producing particularly strong performances.
Official player-of-the-match Kasey McAteer is probably the biggest positive tonight from an Irish perspective.
The Leicester star was bright in attack and took his goal well.
He may now be an outside bet to feature in the qualifiers in September, having come into this camp very much on the periphery of the squad.
Here’s a look at the Senegal equaliser…
Right, that’s all from me for now.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
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International Friendly Liveblog Minute-by-Minute Soccer Ireland Republic Senegal