The last 10 days has seen many of our first-team & academy stars in action for their respective countries, and we’ve put together a round-up of everything that happened across the world for Waterford FC Players & staff over this international window.
Republic of Ireland U21’s
Tommy Lonergan was called up once more to the Republic of Ireland U21 side for their UEFA Euro U21 double header at home to Moldova & away to Kazakhstan. Tommy was introduced from the bench with 20 minutes remaining at Tallaght Stadium in their 1-1 draw against Moldova, coming inches away with a header almost straight away to give Jim Crawford’s side the lead.
After an impressive showing on Thursday, he was rewarded with a start against Kazakhstan on Tuesday afternoon, making the almost 10,000 kilometre round trip with the Boys in Green. Tommy lead the line as the Irish scored an 89th-minute winner to pick up a important set of three points, with Lonergan playing 70 minutes in the Turkestan Arena.
Former Blue Romeo Akachukwu also started for the Boys in Green in Kazakhstan, as the current Colchester United loanee put in an excellent performance in the Irish midfield.
Current Waterford FC Men’s first-team kitman Ken Hennessy was also included in Jim Crawford’s backroom team for this international camp for both fixtures.
Northern Ireland U21’s
Sam Glenfield & Stephen McMullan were both called up to the Northern Ireland U21s for their double header against Germany & Latvia.
Glenfield suffered a knock in our last game before the international break at home to St. Patrick’s Athletic, and therefore pulled out of the squad to focus on his recovery, whilst Stephen McMullan also picked up a slight knock in training prior to their game away to Germany, and missed both games due to this.
Northern Ireland fell to a 3-0 defeat away to Germany in their first game of the window on Friday, before picking up all three points with an impressive 4-1 win away to Latvia on Tuesday evening.
Republic of Ireland U19’s
Mo Oladiti, who is currently on loan with Wexford FC from the Blues for the 2026 season, was named in the Republic of Ireland U19 squad for their first round of qualifiers for the 2027 U19 European Championships that took place in Glasgow over the last week.
The Boys in Green had draws against Poland (1-1) & Scotland (3-3) before a narrow 2-1 defeat against Italy rounded of their camp. Oladiti was an unused substitute in each of the three games.
Republic of Ireland U17’s
The Republic of Ireland Boys U17s created further history as, for the second year in a row, they secured qualification for the 2026 U17 FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year with a 7-0 win over Slovakia.
Waterford FC Men’s first-team performance analyst Shane Nolan is the current Republic of Ireland U17 performance analyst, as Mark Connors side finished second in their qualifying group to secure automatic qualification for their second-successive U17 FIFA World Cup.
Congratulations, Shane!
Republic of Ireland Girls U16s
Waterford FC’s WU17 midfielder Ruby Norris was called up to the latest Republic of Ireland U16s Girls squad for their double-header against Switzerland, with both games taking place at FAI HQ in Abbotstown.
The Girls in Green drew 1-1 with the Swiss in their opening game on Tuesday, with Ruby starting in the heart of the Irish midfield, as James Scott’s Ireland side prevailed 4-3 on penalties after the fixture finished level after 90 minutes.
Ruby and her teammates have their second clash against Switzerland to look forward to this afternoon, with kick-off at 11am this morning.
Republic of Ireland Schools
Last week saw four of our MU20 players in Jack Garrett, Noah O’Brien, Igor Bacela & Mason Murphy line out for the Republic of Ireland Schools side in their SAFIB Centenary Shield clash against Northern Ireland at the Athlone Town Stadium.
Noah O’Brien stole the show, as the powerful centre-back fired home two headers – one either side of half-time – to help the Boys in Green to a 4-0 win as O’Brien was named Player of the Match.
Jack Garrett & Mason Murphy were also named in the starting-eleven for the clash, with Igor Bacela included on the substitutes bench.
