TROY PARROTT WILL lead the line for Ireland against Bulgaria in tonightโs Nations League first-leg play-off, with Evan Ferguson benched following a lack of game time at West Ham.
Elsewhere, Matt Doherty, Robbie Brady, Ryan Manning, Finn Azaz, Jason Knight and Mikey Johnston are all handed starting opportunities.
Caoimhรญn Kelleher, Dara OโShea, Nathan Collins, and Josh Cullen are the only surviving starters from Irelandโs most recent game, the 5-0 hammering away to England.
Doherty is likely to play at right-back, with Collins and OโShea at centre-back. Ryan Manning or Robbie Brady will be at left-back, with the other to be accommodated further forward. Cullen and Jason Knight will form the midfield with Azaz a little further forward, as Irelandโs chief creative spark.
Parrott will lead the line, supported by West Brom winger Mikey Johnston.
STARTING XI | Bulgaria v Ireland
โ Ireland Football โฝ๏ธ๐ฎ๐ช (@IrelandFootball) March 20, 2025
Troy Parrott, Mikey Johnston, Finn Azaz and Ryan Manning all start for Ireland in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League play-off ๐
Nathan Collins ยฉ with kick-off at 7.45pm (9.45pm local time) this evening ๐ฎ๐ช
Come on Ireland ๐ pic.twitter.com/blA8y8hwM0
Ireland must beat Bulgaria over two legs to avoid relegation to League C in the Uefa Nations League. The return leg takes place in Dublin on Sunday, where extra time and penalties will be played in the event of an aggregate draw. The away goals rule is not in effect.
dunnes have runners with four stripes and 4 is more than 3 so they must be betterโฆ.
@Liam Meade: well definitely make you go faster anyway. 33% faster
@Seaniecp: ahh, but only if they are go faster stripes Seanieโฆ.
@Seaniecp: or would addidas be 25% slower ?
@Liam Meade: yeah Striders man pee all over adidas any day
@Liam Meade: mine are faster because there Red.
OโNeillโs have had three stripes for donkeys years now!
@Darren Bates: only in Ireland though
@Noel Kelly: not in the north of Ireland thoโฆ Just the 26.
Youโll see most northern county jerseys and gear for sale to the public has only 2 stripes
@Aidan Mitchell: I have multiple jerseys from northern counties with 3 stripes so that canโt be true
@Aidan Mitchell: where did you just pull that from?
@Aidan Mitchell: Any OโNeillโs jerseys sent out to Australia only have 2 stripes also
@John Black: Sorry not jerseys shorts or socks. But tracksuits, hoodie, zippys, tshirts, , poloโsโฆ. Go to oneills.com and compare the 6 counties to the 26. No 3 stripes for sale in the 6.
And also look at club gear for international teams in USA, Canada, Australia. Mostly all 2 stripes. Ways around it tho..
@Darren Bates: oneills got away with it by claiming it was a white block with 2 stripes of colour on it istead of it being three stand alone white stripes. However they cant do it outside or roi
OโNeillโs can continue replicating their jerseys now
It seems a strange decision. I know 3 stripes is not that original. But that at the angle and going from short to long, thereโs no mistaken them for anything else. Itโs as recognizable as the Nike logo in my opinion.
@Thefallguy: Itโs not really that logo in the photo thatโs in question, rather the general practice of 3 parallel stripes denoting Adidas, eg running down a sleeve
@Squiddley Diddley: ahh I got you now. Cheers
My stripes were taken off me by the Mrs
Sweat shops for fakes are in overdrive everywhere now
I remember Kerry had a Adidas kit in 80โฒs classic for one year though as there was outrage about it
@Ossi Fritsche: gaa jerseys had a rule they had to be manufactured in Ireland, keeping jobs at home etc.
So kerry were effectively breaking the rules
@Aidan Mitchell: think because of that they had to be made under licence in Cork at the time
@Ossi Fritsche: especially when they washed it in a BENDIX !
@Valthebear: correct, so no sweatshop, no profit. Adidas lost money on them
Three strikes and youโre out!
Sergeants everywhere breathe a sigh of relief.
A Dream I Dreamt About Stripes
Can only get Bulmers jungle juice in Ireland โฆ
Everywhere else itโs Bleedin Magners
@Rodney Williams: on account of there being a different, unrelated, cider company in the UK called Bulmers. The chances!
@RhinoDino: Not actually unrelated, the Bulmers UK once owned 50% of the Irish company and increased production. Later on they sold their share back to the original Irish company. As Magner was the founder they went with that name when launching in the UK and internationally.
Why donโt you show an image of the relevant logo???? Misleading article
@Arya: Whether or not one wishes to comment upon the weather, it is hardly acceptable to replicate the very mentality that you so negatively allude to.
@Vocal Outrage: I am not replicating it. It was the irony in the comment. It was really hilarious.
ALDIdas will be thrilled. What a F#*k EU to anyone with a reputable brand. That Rloex crown is not distinctive enough either, come to think of it. Not sure if Iโm telling the time or sending a Hallmark card. FFS, Alfa Romeo are about the only ones safe from EU approved brand piracy. Being ruled by Belgium is awesome!
Those 3 Stripes are my Intellectual Property The have been on an old UNDERPANTS of Mine
3 Stripes and your out