List of Republic of Ireland international footballers

Following the creation of the Irish Free State, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) was set up and it picked its own national team.

During the 1958 FIFA World Cup qualification, a late goal by England allowed them to qualify at Ireland's expense.

Disappointing qualifying campaigns for both UEFA Euro 1984 and the 1986 FIFA World Cup followed, ending Hand's time in charge.

Ireland then appointed Jack Charlton, who led the team to its most successful period, qualifying for two World Cups and a European Championship.

Draws in the group stage against England, Egypt and the Netherlands was enough to earn a place in the second round, in which the team beat Romania on a penalty shootout.

[1] Under new manager Mick McCarthy, Ireland missed out on the next two major tournaments, losing play-offs to Belgium and Turkey.

[1] Despite the loss of captain Roy Keane due to an infamous public spat in Saipan,[4] the team progressed to the second round.

[16] With the Good Friday agreement of 1998 confirming that citizens of Northern Ireland could self-identify as British, Irish or both, a small number of players from that territory have been selected for the FAI team; however, the vast majority of players born outside the Republic of Ireland have been recruited from the large Irish diaspora in Great Britain.