Who is commentating Ireland v Qatar? RTÉ2, RTÉ Radio 1 and where to watch the friendly in Dublin

Match date: 28 May 2026

Ireland v Qatar is live on RTÉ 2 and RTÉ Player in Ireland, with coverage starting from 7.30pm ahead of the 7.45pm kick-off at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.[1] The match is also on RTÉ Radio 1, while RTÉ News and Virgin Media News will provide reporting around the game.[1][2]

The main television coverage on RTÉ 2 and RTÉ Player is fronted by Peter Collins, with Darragh Maloney on commentary and former Ireland midfielder Kenny Cunningham as co-commentator.[1] The pundit team includes Richie Sadlier and Stephen Kelly, with Tony O'Donoghue reporting from the stadium.[1] On RTÉ Radio 1, John Kenny is listed as the reporter.[2]

RTÉ’s line-up combines some of the broadcaster’s best-known football voices. Darragh Maloney has become one of RTÉ’s leading sports presenters and commentators across major international tournaments, while Kenny Cunningham brings the perspective of a long-serving Republic of Ireland defender and former captain. Richie Sadlier, a former Ireland international, is widely recognised in Irish broadcasting for his analytical work, and Stephen Kelly adds further international experience after his own Premier League and Ireland career. Peter Collins has also been a familiar face on RTÉ sport output for many years, particularly on live football coverage.[1][7]

For listeners, RTÉ Radio 1 will provide live match coverage through the station’s sports programming, giving supporters an alternative to the television broadcast.[2] RTÉ has confirmed that its online offering includes a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app, which should be useful for fans following the match while travelling or unable to watch live.[1]

The fixture is being billed as an international friendly rather than a competitive qualifier, but it still offers Ireland an important chance to build rhythm and test combinations at home in front of a Dublin crowd.[1] Qatar’s inclusion also gives the game an international flavour beyond the usual European opposition, and the Aviva setting should ensure a strong broadcast atmosphere for RTÉ’s cameras and microphones.[1]

RTÉ News will also carry coverage with Stephen Kelly as pundit and Tony O'Donoghue reporting, while Virgin Media News will have Bernard O'Toole on reporting duty.[1] That wider media presence reflects the level of interest in a home Ireland fixture, even when it sits outside a competitive tournament schedule.

For viewers in Britain or elsewhere, TNT Sports’ listings also carry the game as an international friendly starting at 19:45, underlining that the match has wider broadcast attention beyond Ireland.[3] More details on the competition context can be found through the football competition pages associated with the fixture.[3]

Article generated: 28 May 2026, 19:45 GMT