John Egan has an attempt on goal. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
23 mins ago
8:13PM
26 mins: Azaz goes on a mazy run on the edge of the area and is fouled by at least one North Macedonia player as he dribbles towards goal.
The same player blasts the subsequent free kick a few inches over.
25 mins ago
8:11PM
24 mins: Parrott gets his first half-chance.
But the striker’s header from the edge of the area is easily saved by Dimitrievski.
27 mins ago
8:09PM
21 mins: Bardhi’s free kick takes a slight deflection off the Irish wall.
Nonetheless, Kelleher can parry it behind comfortably enough for a corner.
29 mins ago
8:07PM
20 mins: Ogbene is penalised for a foul on Herrera on the edge of the area.
This feels like the first chance for North Macedonia to threaten.
31 mins ago
8:05PM
18 mins: As it stands, this very much feels like the unwanted friendly it was perceived as.
The crowd are quiet, with very little to get excited about in the game so far.
35 mins ago
8:01PM
15 mins: Ogbene’s shot from the edge of the area is deflected over.
That again came from an O’Shea delivery into the box that caused problems.
38 mins ago
7:58PM
10 mins: Ogbene’s low cross is deflected out for a corner.
The ensuing set piece is half cleared before it falls to O’Shea, whose clipped delivery into the box is headed off target by Egan from a difficult angle.
42 mins ago
7:54PM
7 mins: The North Macedonians have seen plenty of the ball in the early stages.
They’ve mostly played in front of the Irish defence and midfield, though.
44 mins ago
7:52PM
5 mins: Molumby clips a ball over the top, but Parrott is adjudged offside.
Replays confirm the AZ Alkmaar star ran slightly too early.
Ireland's Manager Heimir Hallgrímsson ahead of the match. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
59 mins ago
7:37PM
The Ireland boss, Heimir Hallgrímsson, gives his thoughts to RTÉ ahead of the game.
‘We want to finish with a good performance’ – Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson expects a big performance from his side pic.twitter.com/mWX8AFQBW7
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 31, 2026
1 hr ago
7:11PM
Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.
With less than an hour until kick-off, it’s a subdued atmosphere at the Aviva.
Ireland ideally would have been playing Denmark now for a place at the World Cup, but the semi-final heartache against Czechia means they have ended up in this friendly for playoff losers.
It will, at least, be a chance for the Aviva to express their gratitude to experienced players like Seamus Coleman and John Egan who have served their country with distinction for years. This is the first game on home turf since the memorable defeat of Portugal in November.
It could also be a potentially memorable night for the likes of Bosun Lawal, Millenic Alli and Josh Keeley, who will be hoping to make their senior international debuts.
The North Macedonians, meanwhile, are likely to also be less-than-enthused about the prospect of this match, having been well beaten 4-0 by Denmark on Thursday.
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LIVE: Ireland v North Macedonia, international friendly
Ireland 0-0 North Macedonia
So half-time, and perhaps, unsurprisingly, it hasn’t been the greatest of spectacles.
Ireland have at least looked solid defensively, with the North Macedonians posing few problems.
The hosts began to look more dangerous as the half wore on, without seriously pressurising the visitors.
There has been just one shot on target (registered by Ireland), which emphasises the lack of attacking quality on display thus far.
HALF-TIME: IRELAND 0-0 NORTH MACEDONIA
44 mins: Parrott clips the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net, but he’s penalised for being offside.
Replays reveal it was a correct (if marginal) decision.
It was a lovely through pass from Azaz to set him up.
Better from Ireland.
Azaz lofts a ball towards the box.
Velkovski makes a mess of his attempted clearance.
But again, Parrott can’t hit the target with his finish.
Moments later, the 24-year-old is on the end of a rough tackle from Fetai, but looks like he’ll be alright to continue following treatment.
37 mins: Promising moment for Ireland.
Molumby slips through Parrott. The Dubliner wriggles away from two defenders, but his finish goes well over the bar.
Here’s a look at that Azaz free kick…
26 mins: Azaz goes on a mazy run on the edge of the area and is fouled by at least one North Macedonia player as he dribbles towards goal.
The same player blasts the subsequent free kick a few inches over.
24 mins: Parrott gets his first half-chance.
But the striker’s header from the edge of the area is easily saved by Dimitrievski.
21 mins: Bardhi’s free kick takes a slight deflection off the Irish wall.
Nonetheless, Kelleher can parry it behind comfortably enough for a corner.
20 mins: Ogbene is penalised for a foul on Herrera on the edge of the area.
This feels like the first chance for North Macedonia to threaten.
18 mins: As it stands, this very much feels like the unwanted friendly it was perceived as.
The crowd are quiet, with very little to get excited about in the game so far.
15 mins: Ogbene’s shot from the edge of the area is deflected over.
That again came from an O’Shea delivery into the box that caused problems.
10 mins: Ogbene’s low cross is deflected out for a corner.
The ensuing set piece is half cleared before it falls to O’Shea, whose clipped delivery into the box is headed off target by Egan from a difficult angle.
7 mins: The North Macedonians have seen plenty of the ball in the early stages.
They’ve mostly played in front of the Irish defence and midfield, though.
5 mins: Molumby clips a ball over the top, but Parrott is adjudged offside.
Replays confirm the AZ Alkmaar star ran slightly too early.
3 mins: It’s been an uneventful opening.
Neither team has created anything of note.
We’re underway…
The Ireland boss, Heimir Hallgrímsson, gives his thoughts to RTÉ ahead of the game.
Who do you think will win?
Poll Results:
And confirmation of the North Macedonia team here…
Confirmation of the Ireland starting XI below…
Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.
With less than an hour until kick-off, it’s a subdued atmosphere at the Aviva.
Ireland ideally would have been playing Denmark now for a place at the World Cup, but the semi-final heartache against Czechia means they have ended up in this friendly for playoff losers.
It will, at least, be a chance for the Aviva to express their gratitude to experienced players like Seamus Coleman and John Egan who have served their country with distinction for years. This is the first game on home turf since the memorable defeat of Portugal in November.
It could also be a potentially memorable night for the likes of Bosun Lawal, Millenic Alli and Josh Keeley, who will be hoping to make their senior international debuts.
The North Macedonians, meanwhile, are likely to also be less-than-enthused about the prospect of this match, having been well beaten 4-0 by Denmark on Thursday.
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Friendly Heimir Hallgrímsson Live Liveblog Minute-by-Minute north macedonia Ireland Republic