Republic of Ireland V Nigeria - Friday, 29th May 2009 - Friendly - Craven Cottage

[DeLorean]

It just occured to me that this match in the day before the FA Cup Final and two days after the Champions League Final. I don't think that will have much of an impact in relation to Irish players being available really though with the clubs left in both. Gibson and O'Shea come to mind if United are in either. Nobody from Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool or any other European teams left in the Champions League. Not many Irish left in the FA Cup of note either ie. Fulham, Everton, Boro, Burnley, Coventry (Westwood but will probably be knocked out by Chelsea), Hull (Kilbane/Folan but will probably be knocked out by Arsenal). Our biggest problem could be if Reading/Wolves/Birmingham are involved in the playoffs but at least we'll get a look at some other players in that case. McGeady will also be out of the reckoning should Celtic reach the Scottish Cup Final.

It would be nice to get a ticket for the Cup Final seeing as we'll be in the locality but I'd say I'd be doing well to get one for the Irish match!!!

[RonnieB]

Think I will head over to this, fly out on thursday from knock to stansted returning saturday for 28euro all in.

[paul_oshea]

why wouldn't ye return the sunday? make a full weekend of it, thats not just you ronnie!!! :D ye can all stay at chez osheas....:D

[RonnieB]

Longford are playing Finn Harps the saturday night :)

[jok1]

Lads, what area of the ground are you buying tickets for?

[Drumcondra 69er]

About 20 of us heading over on my stag for it, should be a bit of craic! Had a great couple of days over there last year at the Columbia game.

[Stuttgart88]

Lads, what area of the ground are you buying tickets for?

I rang Fulham ticket office. Like last year, it looks like Ireland has been allocated Hammersmith End as well as certain sections of the Riverside Stand. I'm going for Hammersmith End, it's cheapest. It might be no harm someone else calling Fulham to confirm this.

[Sligo Hornet]

I rang Fulham ticket office. Like last year, it looks like Ireland has been allocated Hammersmith End as well as certain sections of the Riverside Stand. I'm going for Hammersmith End, it's cheapest. It might be no harm someone else calling Fulham to confirm this.

Its on the Fulham website.....if you go to Tickets you get a plan of the Stadium showing which areas are allocated to Irish fans,Nigera fans and Fulham fans.

You can also select the exact seat you require

[Claret Murph]

[QUOTE=BarelyLegal;1116391] Hull (Kilbane/Folan but will probably be knocked out by Arsenal). /QUOTE]



Forgive me but don't Arsenal have to win the game in the 5th round first or have they got a bye ?????????????????????????????????????????

[DeLorean]

Forgive me but don't Arsenal have to win the game in the 5th round first or have they got a bye ?????????????????????????????????????????

I did mention the presence of Burnley in the FA Cup in that same post. Like I say Hull will probably be knocked out by Arsenal. I hope I'm wrong;)

[Pauro 76]

fascinating fact, Fulham Broadway tube station is closer to Stamford Bridge than Craven Cottage...

[RonnieB]

I am intrigued, tickets booked btw Pauro, will be fun.

[NeilMcD]

fascinating fact, Fulham Broadway tube station is closer to Stamford Bridge than Craven Cottage...

Tried that last night as a chat up line and it did not work. So not really that fascinating!!!!:)

[Naitch]

Just booked the Ibis Earls Court. Just a few quick questions for you London lads if you dont mind. What is the handiest airport to fly into in terms of getting to the Earls Court area once you arrive? And the most important question, what good bars is there around the cottage?

[Stuttgart88]

I'd say Heathrow. Get Heathrow Express train (15 quid each way) to Paddington and the District Line direct to Earls Court.

Next, in terms of ease:

There's a fast train to Victoria from Gatwick and you can get a tube or cab to Earls Court within 30 mins.

City Airport: trains to Bank, then District Line from Monument (station adjoins Bank Station).

Luton: get coach to Victoria, or Thameslink train to Kings Cross, District Line west to Earls Court.

Stansted: 45 minute train to Liverpool Street, longish tube journey to Earls Court.

[seanfhear]

I'd say Heathrow. Get Heathrow Express train (15 quid each way) to Paddington and the District Line direct to Earls Court.

Next, in terms of ease:

There's a fast train to Victoria from Gatwick and you can get a tube or cab to Earls Court within 30 mins.

City Airport: trains to Bank, then District Line from Monument (station adjoins Bank Station).

Luton: get coach to Victoria, or Thameslink train to Kings Cross, District Line west to Earls Court.

Stansted: 45 minute train to Liverpool Street, longish tube journey to Earls Court.
From Heathrow you can get the piccadilly line (tube) to central london much cheaper than Heathrow express.
Stuttgart88 do you realise there is a recession/depression on or are you trying to spend your way out of it.

[Stuttgart88]

True, but Heathrow Express takes 15 mins, the Picc Line takes forever!

[Naitch]

What good bars is there in Fulham?

[paul_oshea]

loads naitch brogans is a good spot

[Stuttgart88]

Yes, and Ireland has a 100% record when PO'S and I drink there before a game.

[NeilMcD]

Stutts thats the greatest act of charity anybody has done for this country of ours. Fair play to you, you are a hero.

[paul_oshea]

Stutts thats the greatest act of charity anybody has done for this country of ours. Fair play to you, you are a hero.

what having a drink with me before a game?!

[Stuttgart88]

Yeah, I see Neil's point.

Anyway, continuing the charitable theme, Paul - I'm watching Rovers vs Sligo in Corrib Rest on Friday evening (assuming it's on). Join me if you want.

[NeilMcD]

Ahhh Paull I will give you a big hug when I see you next.

[Sligo Hornet]

Ahhh Paull I will give you a big hug when I see you next.

Be careful paul if Neil's a bit grumpy

http://i41.tinypic.com/2lscncw.jpg

[paul_oshea]

Are you saying Neil looks like a bit of a bear SH?!

stutts if im around that night ill give you a shout.

[Greenforever]

Just booked Ryanair to Gatwick midday Friday, back 9pm Saturday for the sum of €27.50 inc all taxes, the taxi last time from Gatwick was €40 between 8, mind you only 2 of us on this flight....anyone else arriving into Gatwick at 1pm want to share a taxi??

[NeilMcD]

Yeah I am flying on that flight. Ryanair Dept. 11.35 arriving 12.50 Dublin to Gatwick

[Paulie]

We're on that flight too. I think we're getting a train into the city though.

[republicofwhite]

Naitch, just to let you know if your flying into Gatwick and want to get in on the cheap you can book an easybus online for 2 Pounds(Yes, JUST 2 pounds) that doesn't stop anywhere and drops you straight to Fulham Broadway Tube station. Earls Court is 5 minutes away from there by tube or if 20 minutes walk. The Gatwick Express only goes to Victoria and cost about 26 pounds aswell. Brogan's is a decent pub for match banter in Fulham Broadway but the Cottage is about half an hour walk away and is down on Putney Bridge, where there's way more variety of boozers custom built for pre match banter so just head there.

[paul_oshea]

how fast do you walk republicofwhite?

[Sligo Hornet]

how fast do you walk republicofwhite?

I'm guessing "normal" pace.......not in the same league as paul "usain bolt"_oshea:D

[republicofwhite]

I'll allow the eloquence of my spokesman Sligo Hornet to succinctly summarise my retort to that... It is a bit of a trek in fairness, but I'll round it off to twenty to thirty minutes just for your appeasement, but for those of us that are efficient there's always the 22 Bus...

[paul_oshea]

I'll allow the eloquence of my spokesman Sligo Hornet to succinctly summarise my retort to that... It is a bit of a trek in fairness, but I'll round it off to twenty to thirty minutes just for your appeasement, but for those of us that are efficient there's always the 22 Bus...

the joke was on me ROW, don't worry ;)

But,yes, with a keyboard at least he is rather eloquent

[theworm2345]

Nigeria's squad (a month early :confused:)

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Austin Ejide (Bastia, France), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda, Israel)

Defenders: Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Danny ****tu (Bolton, England), Obinna Nwaneri (FC Sion, Switzerland), Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille, France), Chidi Odia (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Elderson Echiejele (Rennes, France), Dele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam, Holland), Dennis Aogo (Hamburg, Germany), Olubayo Adefemi (SC Rheindorf Altach, Austria), Chibuzor Okonkwo (Bayelsa United)

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Sani Kaita (FC Kuban, Russia), Seyi Olofinjana (Stoke City, England), Kalu Uche (Almeria, Spain), Yusuf Ayila(Dinamo Kiev, Ukraine), Ebenezer Ajilore (FC Groningen, Holland); Dickson Etuhu (Fulham, England)

Forwards: Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth, England), Obafemi Martins (Newcastle, England), Osaze Odemwingie (FC Moscow, Russia), Obinna Nsofor (Inter Milan, Italy), Ikechukwu Uche (Getafe, Spain), Chinedu Obasi (Hoffenheim/Germy), Joseph Akpala (Club Brugges/Belgium)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8017173.stm

[Stuttgart88]

Is that a good squad? :)

No John Utaka? Only asking cos I met him a few months back and didn't know who he was!

[NeilMcD]

Greenforever are you still organising that taxi from Gatwick to Fulham on the Friday around 1.

[Gather round]

Nigeria's squad (a month early :confused:)

Defenders: Dennis Aogo (Hamburg, Germany)

I saw Aogo score with a 30m spectacular in a U-21 qualifier against Northern Ireland at the start of this season.

He was playing for Germany then.

[Yard of Pace]

Seems like a decent squad, some well-known names there. And based in about 12 different countries!

[Bluetonic]

Nigeria's squad (a month early :confused:)
Defenders: Joseph Yobo (Everton, England)

Busy weekend for Joey - he'll be playing in the cup final in Wembley 15 hours after this game :)

[theworm2345]

I saw Aogo score with a 30m spectacular in a U-21 qualifier against Northern Ireland at the start of this season.

He was playing for Germany then.
Turns out he's actually ineligible (due to him playing for Germany) and will not be in the squad. Same thing happened with them and Carlton Cole last year...at least their trying though, wouldn't mind seeing Simon Cox or Kyle Naughton named regardless of their decisions. It could be embarassing though I suppose.

[the doc]

Any news as to when Trapp will be naming the same squad for this game?

[boovidge]

Turns out he's actually ineligible (due to him playing for Germany) and will not be in the squad. Same thing happened with them and Carlton Cole last year...at least their trying though, wouldn't mind seeing Simon Cox or Kyle Naughton named regardless of their decisions. It could be embarassing though I suppose.

Who? :confused:

[carloz]

Anybody know Craven Cottage well. Just wondering where it would be best to get seats. Ill be in London that week

[Stuttgart88]

No bad seat in the ground. Irish fans main section is Hammersmith End, Nigeria are in the opposite end. If you want to get in and out quick go to the main stand side on to the pitch but if it's a nice summer night there's no better place to be than the Riverside stand behind which you can buy bottled beer & drink it overlooking the Thames.

[NeilMcD]

Yeah thats what I am doing. I did it last year and enjoyed the few beers at half time.

[Paddy Garcia]

Yeah thats what I am doing. I did it last year and enjoyed the few beers at half time.

Me two

[paul_oshea]

No bad seat in the ground. Irish fans main section is Hammersmith End, Nigeria are in the opposite end. If you want to get in and out quick go to the main stand side on to the pitch but if it's a nice summer night there's no better place to be than the Riverside stand behind which you can buy bottled beer & drink it overlooking the Thames.

Ya ive been to most grounds in london at this stage, bar your local stutts, but Craven Cottage is def my favourite and why I have returned quite a few times.

[RonnieB]

Looking forward to this, got my tickets ages back from the very efficient Fulham FC, got a few together in the Hammersmith end. All I have to do now is figure out how to get around London, doesnt look that big on the map.. :)

I cannot imagine it any larger than Roscommon Town on a friday evening or after Mass on the Sunday..

[paul_oshea]

Looking forward to this, got my tickets ages back from the very efficient Fulham FC, got a few together in the Hammersmith end. All I have to do now is figure out how to get around London, doesnt look that big on the map.. :)

I cannot imagine it any larger than Roscommon Town on a friday evening or after Mass on the Sunday..

It depends whether or not canon ball was saying mass or not ;)