The 42

Analysispicking up the pieces

Irish football has reasons for optimism despite crushing Prague defeat – it’s just hard to see them today

Heimir Hallgrimsson will have to use Thursday night’s pain to forge a better future on the road to Euro 2028.

7 hrs ago

Painful

'I’m not seeing many positives right now because we’re in the gutter'

9 hrs ago

misfortune

Ireland's heart and endeavour can't compensate for lack of quality

11 hrs ago

Selection

Connacht shake things up with 6 changes for Ospreys

7 hrs ago

Team news

McCloskey and Timoney return for Ulster trip to Zebre

7 hrs ago

Today's news

PodcastThe 42 Rugby Weekly

Troubling times for Munster and Leinster's Snyman setback

Prague

VIDEO: Coming to terms with the Pain of Prague

2 hrs ago

It's quiziness time

Know your sport? Take our weekly quiz

2 hrs ago

27m

Rugby

Andy Farrell not talking to RFU about England role ‘at present’ – Bill Sweeney

6 hrs ago

Analysispicking up the pieces

Irish football has reasons for optimism despite crushing Prague defeat – it’s just hard to see them today

Heimir Hallgrimsson will have to use Thursday night’s pain to forge a better future on the road to Euro 2028.

Gavin Cooney

reports from Prague

7 hrs ago

the 42

Ireland's Prague pain World Cup dream ends in penalty shootout defeat to Czechia

Match Report

Ireland's World Cup dreams are over after penalty heartbreak in Prague

Heartache

Ireland feel a brutal World Cup pain with ghosts that will stalk and linger

Ratings

Player ratings: How the Boys in Green fared against Czechia

Podcast

SNAP REACTION: Ireland’s World Cup dream ends in penalty shootout heartbreak

Reaction

'I feel pain' – Hallgrimsson's reaction to Ireland's latest play-off heartbreak

Support

Ireland’s penalty shootout heartbreak in Prague draws record numbers for RTÉ

7 hrs ago

Team news

McCloskey and Timoney return for Ulster trip to Zebre

7 hrs ago

Selection

Connacht shake things up with 6 changes for Ospreys

7 hrs ago

Tune in

Here's your essential TV guide for this weekend's live sport

8 hrs ago

Robins

Roy Hodgson back in football aged 78 after taking Bristol City job

8 hrs ago

Formula One

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri topples dominant Mercedes in Japanese practice

8 hrs ago

Painful

'I’m not seeing many positives right now because we’re in the gutter'

9 hrs ago

Update

Sammie Szmodics 'on the mend' after losing consciousness

10 hrs ago

misfortune

Ireland's heart and endeavour can't compensate for lack of quality

The Boys in Green suffered a heartbreaking World Cup playoff penalty shootout defeat to Czechia on Thursday night.

Paul Fennessy

11 hrs ago

Reaction

'I'm disappointed' - Jim Crawford reflects on Ireland U21s' qualification setback

11 hrs ago

excitement

'You don't get to Croke Park too often' - Longford's 14-year wait for league silverware tilt

13 hrs ago

Colour

Delight turns to despair in Dublin as Ireland's World Cup dream dashed

Night of noise and colour ends in grim silence.

Emma Duffy

reports from Dublin

13 hrs ago

soldiering on

'I almost did decide that this was going to be my last year'

13 hrs ago

PGA Tour

Late bogey takes a little shine off Seamus Power's promising start in Houston

18 hrs ago

Agony

'Stick with us,' Troy Parrott tells Irish fans in emotional post-match interview

19 hrs ago

Yesterday

26th March 2026

Reaction

'I feel pain' – Hallgrimsson's reaction to Ireland's latest play-off heartbreak

20 hrs ago

Opinion

Player ratings: How the Boys in Green fared against Czechia

20 hrs ago

heartache

Ireland feel a brutal World Cup pain with ghosts that will stalk and linger

From a position of control in the game and then the penalty shootout, the Boys in Green are unable to progress.

David Sneyd

reports from the Fortuna Arena, Prague

21 hrs ago

the end

Ireland's World Cup dreams are over after penalty heartbreak in Prague

Ireland blew a two-goal lead before falling to a shootout loss to Czechia.

Gavin Cooney

reports from the Fortuna Arena, Prague

21 hrs ago

As it happened

Czechia v Ireland, World Cup qualification play-off semi-final

Updated 21 hrs ago

139

End of the road

Play-off round-up: Wales crash out on penalties, Northern Ireland lose in Italy

22 hrs ago

Deflation

Ireland U21s' Euros campaign unravels in disappointing draw with Moldova

26 Mar

Team news

Manning and Taylor start as Hallgrimsson names his team to play Czechia

26 Mar

Talent

Bryn Ward signs senior contract with Ulster

26 Mar

College All Stars

University of Limerick claim seven spots on Fitzgibbon Cup team of the year

26 Mar

LA2028

Olympics bans transgender women from competing in female categories from 2028

26 Mar

Tough Times

Voluntary redundancies 'less than ideal' but McMillan urges Munster to stick in the fight

26 Mar

SUAF

Jack Crowley and Craig Casey start for Munster against Bulls

26 Mar

a nation holds its breath

A message from Troy Parrott's mam: 'He loves playing for his country, he loves Ireland'

Jennifer Parrott and all the family are gearing up for what could be a famous night in Prague.

David Sneyd

reports from Prague

26 Mar

URC

Andrew Porter returns as Leinster make 12 changes for visit of Scarlets

26 Mar

Changes

Uncapped Bosun Lawal left out of matchday squad for Prague play-off

26 Mar

'Get out': Verstappen bans reporter from Japanese Grand Prix press conference

26 Mar

danger here

On eve of crunch Irish match in Prague, Czech police arrest 32 in match fixing probe

26 Mar