The 24-year-old Ipswich frontman, who is currently on loan at Derby, was hurt in a collision with defender Stepan Chaloupek just two minutes after his introduction as an extra-time substitute at the Fortuna Arena, sparking concerned medics to rush to his aid.

Ahead of the biggest game in Irish football in years, take our quiz to test your knowledge on some of our biggest footballing moments.

The 37-year-old defender was part of the team which snatched a 3-2 victory over Hungary in Budapest with the last kick of the game three days after defeating Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in Dublin

Whether it was our first tournament at Italia 90 or the last time we qualified in 2002, there have been plenty of great memories for fans to cherish down through the years.

The Czech football association, the Fotbalova Asociace Ceske Republiky (FACR), revealed on Tuesday that it had initiated 47 disciplinary proceedings against players, club officials and referees largely on suspicion of bribery and match-fixing following a series of dawn raids.

On Thursday evening in Prague, the 24-year-old AZ Alkmaar striker will attempt to fire his country one step closer to a first World Cup finals appearance since 2002 when they head into a play-off battle with the Czech Republic at the Fortuna Arena.

Ireland travel to Prague to face the Czech Republic on Thursday with all eyes on this summer's World Cup

Ireland travel to Prague to face the Czech Republic on Thursday with all eyes on this summer's World Cup

Striker Troy Parrott completed his hat-trick in almost the final act of the game to secure the play-off against the Czech Republic.

The Icelandic boss will lead the team in their play-off semi-final against the Czech Republic in Prague next Thursday as they look to seal a place at this summer’s tournament, and he revealed at his squad announcement that he had just signed on the dotted line.

Josh Cullen. Evan Ferguson and Mikey Johnston are all ruled out through injury.

After the heroic wins against Portugal and Hungary, fans across the country have dared to dream of the World Cup this summer.

Former Ireland boss Brian Kerr and current Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley are among those who have called for a boycott of the two games

Paul McGrath bumped into two other famous former teammates in Manchester Airport recently

Daera Minister Andrew Muir has previously revealed the spend on bTB compensation for the 2025/2026 financial year is over £56 million.

Ireland play the Czech Republic in their World Cup play-off semi-final in Prague on March 26th, in what will be Koubek's first game in charge.

Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson was in attendance to watch his star striker bring his tally for the season to 24 goals

National Crime Agency chief executive Graeme Biggar revealed the extent of criminal activity as he briefed the Policing Board in Belfast.

Ireland plays the Czechs on Thursday, March 26th, 2026, and either Denmark or North Macedonia on Tuesday, March 31st.

The Republic of Ireland will be bottom seeds if they qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America

Ronaldo cleared to play opening matches at World Cup

Ireland are in Path D

Keane and Rooney were speaking on the Stick to Football podcast

Ireland hosts Portugal on Thursday, before travelling to Hungary on Sunday, who are currently in the play-off spot.

Evan Ferguson has been ruled out of the Portugal game on Thursday, but remains in contention to face Hungary on Sunday.

Belgium took 39 minutes to cancel out Ireland’s two-goal advantage through Tessa Wullaert’s brace on home soil but substitute Larkin pounced in the final minutes to hook the ball home from close range for only her second goal in 30 internationals.

Ireland face a difficult task in Portugal, while three Irish provinces are in URC action.

All three candidates participated in a debate on RTÉ’s The Week In Politics.

Parrott's injury or his period of recovery have not been revealed by the FAI or his Dutch club AZ Alkmaar.

The 26-year-old will provide competition for England keeper Jordan Pickford.

The Girls in Green will now face a promotion playoff against one of the third-placed teams in League A in October.

The 35-year-old man was extradited on Friday and is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court.

James Donegan, 67, of Bruce Manor, Arvagh, Co Cavan, appeared before Newry Magistrates’ Court after being extradited from the Republic of Ireland.

Joseph James Porter, a part-time UDR soldier, was killed in Armagh in 1979.

A nationwide status-orange wind warning will be in place between 2am and 5pm on Friday.

The 31-year-old is wanted to stand trial for the offence of dangerous driving causing death over a crash in Co Donegal in April 2017.

Eileen Gleeson's side lost 2-1 to Wales at the Aviva Stadium in their play-off final second-leg

At full-time, the scoreline stood at 1-27 to 1-16 in Ballygunner's favour.

The two sides meet in the Nations League at Wembley on Sunday.

Ireland went ahead on the cusp of half-time after Ferguson headed in a cross to score his fourth international goal.

The former Celtic and Sunderland striker, who was over the alcohol limit, drove at an estimated 160 km/h and nearly collided with another motorist shortly after midnight on January 6th, 2023.

Mary Lou McDonald is hoping to lead Sinn Fein into government in Ireland after the election on November 29.

A "loyal" football supporter has successfully sued the FAI, claiming he was "treated like muck" after a rescheduled international away game left him out of pocket