Stephen Finn

Photo of 3-versus-3 football game

1/12 Really proud of this paper! We borrowed tools from biology to ask a simple question: does who you play with actually matter in football? (Spoiler: it does, a lot.) 🧬 🤝 ⚽

Paper here: authors.elsevier.com/a/1mUusArnpe...

Ireland U19 internationals Daniel Isichei & Billy Burrell on the bench for Birmingham City tonight ⚽️

I was in Tehran in 2001 & met so many friendly people. I support all these young people trying to escape the religious tyranny imposed by scared weak-minded men. A free & safe Iran would be a great thing for the world 🇮🇷

ANALYSIS: We need to talk about Evan Evan Ferguson has shown his goal-scoring capabilities on international stage for Ireland but his most immediate challenge is to become the main striker for AS Roma. I took a look at what the data shows and how Roma can get the best out of him.

Evan Ferguson has shown his goal-scoring capabilities on international stage for Ireland but his most immediate challenge is to become the main striker for AS Roma. I took a look at what the data shows and how Roma can get the best out of him.

ANALYSIS: We need to talk about Evan Evan Ferguson has shown his goal-scoring capabilities on international stage for Ireland but his most immediate challenge is to become the main striker for AS Roma. I took a look at what the data shows and how Roma can get the best out of him.

Evan Ferguson has shown his goal-scoring capabilities on international stage for Ireland but his most immediate challenge is to become the main striker for AS Roma. I took a look at what the data shows and how Roma can get the best out of him.

Illustration of the laneway down to Dalymount Park's enterance, with fans walking towards the stadium.

A scene from street level outside Richmond park at night time. Two kids playing football against the mural wall under a street lamp.

Illustration of the Entrance to The Showgrounds, home of Sligo Rovers, with some kids playing football.

illustration of the entrance to Tolka park on match night, some kids are climbing the wall to watch the game.

Hi, I'm Barry an artist from Ireland ⚽☘️

I drew that thing you like. A life long League of Ireland truther and enjoyer of old stadiums. Available for commissions in 2025, Lets work together 🤝

Portfolio: barrymasterson.com
Shop: shop.barrymasterson.com
Email: hello@barrymasterson.com

Totally agree with Ken on this. This is how we beat Portugal: futsalfinn.wordpress.com/2025/11/11/a...

Ken Early: Portugal may have defensive frailties, but Ireland need to leave their shell Hungary have put four past the group leaders in two games, but unlike Ireland, they had a right go

Ken Early: Portugal may have defensive frailties, but Ireland need to leave their shell

Here’s a deep dive into how Ireland can shock Portugal in the World Cup qualifiers this Thursday 🇮🇪⚽️🇵🇹

ANALYSIS: Ireland can beat Portugal if they bring back the back four IRELAND need to go back to a four-man defence if they want to shock Portugal and turn the momentum in their World Cup qualifying campaign on its head. It is my analysis that because Ireland produced a brave display to go down to a narrow, late defeat by Portugal in Lisbon last month, the Irish team management (and most pundits) would believe that a similar approach is the correct course of action to use when the sides meet in Dublin this Thursday. 

This a long read, so maybe read it with a cuppa in hand! Ireland face Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal colleagues in the World Cup qualifiers on Thursday. A win seems unlikely, but if we revert to a back four, I think we can win. This analysis shows how.

ANALYSIS: Ireland can beat Portugal if they bring back the back four IRELAND need to go back to a four-man defence if they want to shock Portugal and turn the momentum in their World Cup qualifying campaign on its head. It is my analysis that because Ireland produced a brave display to go down to a narrow, late defeat by Portugal in Lisbon last month, the Irish team management (and most pundits) would believe that a similar approach is the correct course of action to use when the sides meet in Dublin this Thursday. 

This a long read, so maybe read it with a cuppa in hand! Ireland face Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal colleagues in the World Cup qualifiers on Thursday. A win seems unlikely, but if we revert to a back four, I think we can win. This analysis shows how.

PUT EM UNDER PRESSURE: Ireland need to channel their Charlton era pressing power against Armenia While Ireland were definitely brave and well-organised in Lisbon on Saturday, my contention regarding this Ireland pool of players is that they are better suited to the higher pressing style associated with the Jack Charlton era than they are with playing deeper and trying to be cagey.  

Ireland's World Cup hopes will depend upon securing a win over Armenia tonight. Here is my analysis of how we can press our way to success.

PUT EM UNDER PRESSURE: Ireland need to channel their Charlton era pressing power against Armenia While Ireland were definitely brave and well-organised in Lisbon on Saturday, my contention regarding this Ireland pool of players is that they are better suited to the higher pressing style associated with the Jack Charlton era than they are with playing deeper and trying to be cagey.  

Ireland's World Cup hopes will depend upon securing a win over Armenia tonight. Here is my analysis of how we can press our way to success.

Why Ireland can’t ‘park the bus’ against Portugal Let’s be honest, if Ireland could get a 0-0 draw at Estádio José Alvalade on Saturday, most Irish fans would not care a jot how it was achieved. 

Ireland travel with little expectation and not much hope for their next World Cup qualifier against Portugal on Saturday. The temptation is to try and be ultra conservative tactically but does that makes sense against Cristiano Ronaldo & Co? My analysis:

Why Ireland can’t ‘park the bus’ against Portugal Let’s be honest, if Ireland could get a 0-0 draw at Estádio José Alvalade on Saturday, most Irish fans would not care a jot how it was achieved. 

Ireland travel with little expectation and not much hope for their next World Cup qualifier against Portugal on Saturday. The temptation is to try and be ultra conservative tactically but does that makes sense against Cristiano Ronaldo & Co? My analysis:

He had great movement around the box & was a brilliant volleyer. Pity about the dissent issues 🇮🇪🇺🇸

Gary Howlett! ⚽️🇮🇪

This is one of the most beautiful things I have witnessed, the craft here is impeccable.

Why would Spotify suggest this pod with this subject to me? I just listen to music & sports podcasts. Promoting an interview with this criminal sewer rat seems at odds with my interests 🤔

Terenure Rangers Football Club It is with the greatest sadness that we share the passing of our dear friend Mark Milligan — a true Terenure Rangers legend. Mark was the heart and soul of Terenure Rangers for over 40 years,...

Very sad to hear this news. Mark Milligan was coaching Rangers FC in Terenure when I played for the club at U15s & was still involved his whole lifetime. facebook.com/terenurerang... RIP Mark. Condolences to Jean & family ⚽️💔

Futsal finish. No doubt he has played it in his youth. Unlucky not to score ⚽️

Futsal is strongly referenced in FAI’s revamped Coach Ed plan. We need to see this pushed properly nationwide ⚽️🇮🇪

I’m expecting a tight playoff between Ireland & Bulgaria this week. It may even go to penalties 🇮🇪⚽️🇧🇬

ANALYSIS: Ireland may need an Olympian effort to overcome Bulgaria AS international rivalries go, Ireland-Bulgaria goes back more than 100 years and there is probably as much fanfare around their meeting this week as there was when they first met at the Paris Olympics in 1924. In May last year, the FAI opted to recognise that encounter at Olympique Yves-du-Manoir a century ago as the first official fixture of the Irish Free State.

International football returns this week. Ireland meet Bulgaria in a UEFA Nations League play-off. Here is my analysis of a tricky tie in the offing for the Irish #football #soccer #ireland #uefa #NationsLeague #analysis

ANALYSIS: Ireland may need an Olympian effort to overcome Bulgaria AS international rivalries go, Ireland-Bulgaria goes back more than 100 years and there is probably as much fanfare around their meeting this week as there was when they first met at the Paris Olympics in 1924. In May last year, the FAI opted to recognise that encounter at Olympique Yves-du-Manoir a century ago as the first official fixture of the Irish Free State.

International football returns this week. Ireland meet Bulgaria in a UEFA Nations League play-off. Here is my analysis of a tricky tie in the offing for the Irish #football #soccer #ireland #uefa #NationsLeague #analysis

Still waiting to test this out myself as our Junior B team sadly struggling for numbers 😢

2027 U21 EURO qualifying dates

Qualifying group stage

▪ 17–25 March 2025
▪ 2–10 June 2025
▪ 1–9 September 2025
▪ 6–14 October 2025
▪ 10–18 November 2025
▪ 23–31 March 2026
▪ 21 September–6 October 2026

Play-offs

▪ 9–17 November 2026

2025-27 Under-21 EURO qualifying group stage draw | UEFA Under-21 2027 European Under-21 Championship 2027 qual. draw schedule confirmed. Find out who is facing who in European Under-21 Championship 2027 qual..

UEFA U21s 2027 draw is tomorrow 8am GMT. Ireland in Pot 2. First games are next month! uefa.com/under21/draw... ⚽️🇮🇪

Ireland’s men’s national team heads into 2025 with squad opportunities to be grabbed. How do LOI based options compare with those overseas? Here’s one suggestion on how to compare players across leagues 🇮🇪⚽️