Tennis balls are cleared off the Aviva Stadium pitchGetty Images

The game was briefly stopped twice in the first half

At a glance

  • Nathan Collins heads early Republic of Ireland winner

  • Republic of Ireland fans throw tennis balls on to pitch in protest against upcoming Israel fixtures

  • Jack Moylan sent off on home debut just before half-time

  • Qatar's Almoez Ali also red carded late on

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

The Republic of Ireland's friendly win over Qatar in Dublin was twice briefly disrupted by fans protesting against the home side's upcoming fixtures with Israel.

After Republic of Ireland captain Nathan Collins headed the game's only goal, tennis balls featuring the Palestine flag were thrown on to the Aviva Stadium pitch around the 10-minute mark.

When tennis balls again rained down on the field for the second time after 20 minutes, the players used the stoppage as a hydration break on the sidelines.

After the game, RTE reported that protesters were ejected from the ground.

The Republic of Ireland are set to face Israel in Group B3 of the Nations League at an expected neutral venue on 27 September before the return fixture in Dublin on 4 October.

Pressure has grown in Ireland for a boycott of those games because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign having held a protest at the Dáil (Irish parliament) on Tuesday.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) confirmed the games will go ahead, with CEO David Courell saying the governing body had "no choice" and could face "serious consequences" if it pulled out of the games.

Earlier this week, Collins said that if individual players felt strongly enough to boycott the games, "we are not going to stand against them", while manager Heimir Hallgrimsson feels it's "unfair for the players to be in this position".

Experienced defender Seamus Coleman also said the situation "should have been dealt with above us".

The protest sparked memories of a similar incident in 2019 when the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2020 qualifying win over Georgia in Dublin was disrupted by Irish fans throwing tennis balls on to the pitch in protest against John Delaney remaining in the FAI hierarchy.

Asked about the protests after the game, Hallgrimsson told RTE: "I would have liked to have it in the second half, if they do it again just to kill time in the second half, when we were killing time.

"Everybody has a right to protest, it just kills the game.

"If they want to destroy the game for us, so be it. It is obviously not fun to see especially for us who are trying to think about the football side."

Heimir Hallgrimsson clears a tennis ball off the pitchGetty Images

Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson helped clear the tennis balls off the pitch

Republic of Ireland analysis: Red card cuts short impressive Moylan home debut

Despite it being a low-stakes end-of-season friendly for the Republic of Ireland, Hallgrimsson fielded a strong side featuring eight players who started the World Cup play-off defeat by the Czech Republic in March.

And when Collins glanced a Jack Moylan free-kick into the corner after just five minutes, the 28,891-strong crowd perhaps expected a barrage of goals.

But it was not to be. Despite the interruptions in the first half, the hosts dominated the game, but their standout player Jack Moylan's home debut ended in tears when he was shown a straight red card just before half-time.

Moylan was dismissed by referee Jamie Robinson for a studs-up challenge on Qatar's Jassem Gaber, which Hallgrimsson called "the wrong decision".

The 24-year-old Lincoln City forward was visibly upset as he left the field as an eye-catching display was unceremoniously cut short.

In addition to setting up Collins' goal, Moylan - who scored a debut hat-trick against Grenada earlier this month - had been a livewire in the Irish attack, his willing runs giving the home side a decent outlet.

His early exit paved the way for a largely uneventful second half, although both teams finished the game with 10 men after Almoez Ali was red carded for an off-the-ball clash with Jayson Molumby 12 minutes from time.

While a second goal eluded the hosts, the World Cup-bound visitors - managed by former Real Madrid, Spain and Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui - were unable to find an equaliser.

And as the game petered out, Hallgrimsson handed debuts to Lecce's Corrie Ndaba, Benfica's Jaden Umeh and Tottenham forward Mason Melia.

What's next?

  • The Republic of Ireland travel to Montreal to face World Cup co-hosts Canada on 6 June (00:30 BST)

  • Qatar face El Salvador in their final game on 6 June before taking on Switzerland, Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the World Cup group stage

Player of the match

J. Moylan
7.80
8 J. Moylan
7.80
11 J. Umeh
7.09
22 N. Collins
7.00
3 L. Scales
6.97
9 M. Melia
6.96
10 J. McGrath
6.86
21 C. Ndaba
6.85
2 S. Coleman
6.77
5 J. O'Brien
6.70
1 C. Kelleher
6.60
4 D. O'Shea
6.58
6 J. Molumby
6.57
7 T. Parrott
6.48
20 C. Ogbene
6.31
12 J. Abankwah
5.94
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