The Ireland team during the Israel national anthem. ©INPHO

As it happened: Israel v Ireland, Nations League

Ireland faced Israel, after a fractious few days that divided players in the Boys in Green camp.

Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.

It’s a remarkable few days for Irish football, and the pervading controversy is unlikely to go away anytime soon, regardless of what happens on the pitch tonight.

This will be different from our typical liveblog.

Click on the link below to understand why.

An editorial note re: The 42’s reporting on the Uefa Nations League matches between Ireland and Israel is available to read here.

Here is the Ireland team for this evening…

There are five changes from Kosovo.

John Egan is out for Liam Kitching, who makes his debut.

Ryan Manning is in for Liam Scales at left wing-back.

Jack Moylan replaces Chiedozie Ogbene, Conor Coventry comes in for Jason Knight, and Finn Azaz drops to the bench, with Adam Idah offering more of a threat in attack alongside Troy Parrott.

From The 42′s David Sneyd, who is covering the game in Debrecen…

“The Ireland squad for this game just emerged for the warm-up and were greeted with boos and jeers from about 50 to 60 Israeli fans waving the country’s flag.

“As more Israeli fans made their way into the stadium and saw the Ireland players, there were more jeers.

“Some were still booing when the Israeli players took to the pitch at the other end.”

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There has already been a protest about this game today.

The 42‘s Emma Duffy was at Tallaght Stadium covering the Women’s FAI Cup final and provided the above pics along with the words below…

“About an hour before kick-off, there was a small group of protesters outside the stadium – which had a heavy Garda and security presence – ahead of Ireland’s Nations League game against Israel.

“They held a Palestine flag and a ‘Stop The Game’ banner, with another sign reading, ‘Gavin Bazunu, Irish hero.’”

RTÉ’s Tony O’Donoghue speaks to Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson ahead of the game.

The latest update from David Sneyd: “Former Minister for Justice and board member of the Israel Council on Foreign Relations, Alan Shatter has arrived just as the Ireland team finishes its warm-up.

“He takes his seat towards the back of the press box. He is here on behalf of the Jerusalem Post, according to the accreditation list.”

The two teams have walked out.

Ireland are wearing black armbands, which, according to the FAI’s chief, David Courell, are “in recognition of all the lives lost in the conflict” in Gaza.

The Irish players bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem.

There is no handshake between the teams, as expected.

The world-feed commentary vaguely notes that Gavin Bazunu has “chosen to make himself unavailable” without going into further detail.

The match is underway.

shane-robinson-paul-cooke-and-john-martin-in-the-stands-ahead-of-the-match Technical Director Shane Robinson, FAI President Paul Cooke and FAI director of football John Martin in the stands. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

a-view-of-israel-fans-ahead-of-the-match A view of Israel fans. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

From David Sneyd: “There also looks to be 12 Ireland fans together. Currently singing The Fields of Athenry.”

dara-oshea-aftering-shaking-hands-with-the-referee-team-ahead-of-the-match Ireland's Dara O'Shea aftering shaking hands with the German officials ahead of the match but not the Israel captain Manor Solomon. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

ISRAEL 0-1 IRELAND (TROY PARROTT 14)

ISRAEL 0-2 IRELAND (ADAM IDAH 16)

ISRAEL 0-3 IRELAND (JACK MOYLAN 25)

Jack Moylan took off his black armband, kissed it and raised it in the air as he celebrated.

This action was greeted by loud boos from the few Israeli fans in attendance.

paul-cooke-and-david-courell-duirng-the-israel-national-anthem FAI President Paul Cooke and FAI CEO David Courell pictured at the game. ©INPHO ©INPHO

a-view-of-ireland-fans-in-debrecen A view of Ireland fans in Debrecen ahead of the game. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

HALF-TIME: ISRAEL 0-3 IRELAND

The second half has begun…

a-view-of-israel-fans-during-the-match A view of Israel fans during the match. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

There has been palpable tension between the sides at times during this game.

In the latest instance, Adam Idah has clashed with Raz Shlomo after the defender effectively rugby-tackled the Irish star, although there was nothing more than some aggressive shoving and stern words exchanged.

Both players get the game’s first yellow cards as a result.

The latest update from David Sneyd: “65 minutes gone, and it’s still Israel 0-3 Ireland. ‘Home’ team fans still very vocal.”

tempers-flare-between-both-sides Tempers flare between both sides. ©INPHO ©INPHO

ryan-manning-interacts-with-gabi-kanichowsky-while-retrieving-the-ball-for-a-throw-in Ireland's Ryan Manning interacts with Israel's Gabi Kanichowsky while retrieving the ball for a throw-in. ©INPHO ©INPHO

a-view-of-ireland-fans-during-the-match A view of Ireland fans during the match. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

FULL-TIME: ISRAEL 0-3 IRELAND

Unsurprisingly, there were no handshakes between the two sets of players at the final whistle.

One final update from David Sneyd in Debrecen: “The game is over. Ireland players go over to the 15 or so fans who made it in. Jake O’Brien throws his jersey to a fan with a sign. And that’s that.”

players-of-israel-right-and-ireland-stand-for-the-anthems-before-the-uefa-nations-league-soccer-match-between-ireland-and-israel-in-debrecen-hungary-sunday-sept-27-2026-zsolt-czegledimti-via Another view of one of the defining images of the night, as Ireland players bow their heads during the Israeli national anthem. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Right, that’s all from me for now.

Thanks for reading and commenting,

We’ll have more reaction to follow on the site shortly.

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