Republic of Ireland Men's Football Team

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Ross County forward Ronan Hale is now eligible to play for Northern Ireland.

International clearance for the Belfast-born 26-year-old has come through from Fifa after a number of months of waiting for paperwork to be finalised.

Hale had previously represented the Republic of Ireland at under-19 and under-21 level.

The former Larne and Cliftonville forward, who has scored five times in 20 Scottish Premiership games for Ross County this season, is now available to be selected by Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill.

Hale, who started his career at Birmingham City, has also had spells will Derry City, Crusaders and St Patrick's Athletic.

He scored two goals in last season's Irish Cup final to help Cliftonville to their first truimph in the competition since 1979.

He then moved to Scottish Premiership side Ross County for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal.

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The Republic of Ireland will face Bulgaria in their Nations League relegation/promotion play-off in March.

Heimir Hallgrimsson's side are fighting to stay in League B after finishing third in Group B2 behind England and Greece.

The Republic's only two victories in the group came against Finland, who were automatically relegated to League C.

Their campaign ended with a heavy 5-0 defeat by England at Wembley.

Hallgrimsson said he was "lost for words" following the match and said his side "gave up" as England scored three goals in the space of five minutes following Liam Scales' red card.

Bulgaria finished second in Group C3 behind Northern Ireland.

Michael O'Neill's side lost 1-0 to Bulgaria in Plovdiv but ran out 5-0 winners at Windsor Park.

Bulgaria, who are ranked 84th in the world compared to the Republic in 63rd, twice drew with Belarus and had a win and draw against Luxembourg in the group.

The first leg of the play-off will take place in Bulgaria on Thursday, 20 March before the second leg at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, 23 March.