See photos as Wicklow school comes alive for annual open evening

'It's not about football': Ireland, Israel and a game that can't be won It's been seven turbulent months since it was confirmed that the Republic of Ireland would face Israel in the Uefa Nations League. What began as a football fixture has since become one of the most divisive and politically charged moments in Irish sporting history. Since the draw was announced in February, protests, campaigns and fierce public debate have intensified, with pressure mounting on all sides. Just days ago, Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson sparked anger in Israel after saying his team would not be playing 'with genocide, but against genocide' when the sides meet in Hungary on Sunday. The controversy has also reached the players themselves as protesters gathered outside the squad's training base in Castleknock this week, urging the team not to fulfil the fixture. Despite the growing scrutiny, the match is set to go ahead, albeit with a significantly scaled-back television broadcast. So, have the Ireland players been placed in an impossible position? And what can supporters expect when the teams finally take to the pitch? We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism.