Ireland v Belarus - Tue May 31st, Turners Cross

[nigel-harps1954]

This is great to see. A packed Turners Cross will host a great atmosphere and will be great to see another international played outside Dublin.


The Republic of Ireland will take on Belarus in their final UEFA EURO 2016 warm-up game in a Three International Friendly at Turner's Cross on Tuesday, May 31.

Martin O'Neill's team recently played Switzerland, while they will host Slovakia on Tuesday, March 29 and Netherlands on Friday, May 27 - both at Aviva Stadium.

Following the match against Netherlands, the team will travel to Fota Island Resort in Cork for a pre-EURO 2016 training camp, from Monday, May 30 through to Friday, June 3.

The game against Belarus will take place on Day 2 of training camp.

The match with Belarus will be the first meeting between the teams. Alyaksandr Khatskevich's side are currently ranked 64th in the world and will be in action against Montenegro on Tuesday, March 29.

Ticket details for this Three International Friendly will be announced in due course.

[brendy_éire]

Good to see matches being moved outside of the capital. Realistically though, only Cork and Limerick are in a position to host games, unless the GAA changes their rules.

[backstothewall]

Belfast...

[NeverFeltBetter]

I remember going to the Australia friendly in Thomond. Terrible atmosphere. Might have had something to do with the score though.

[BonnieShels]

I remember going to the Australia friendly in Thomond. Terrible atmosphere. Might have had something to do with the score though.

Or the opposition. Australian matches always ted to be grim. I remember being bored stupid playing them at Lansdowne years ago. Clinton scored a ridiculous goal in that game too iirc.
I still can't take Oz seriously at soccer.
I'm all for provincial grounded games.

Walsall, I'd think in that hairy scenario Derry is getting first dibs on that game.

[CraftyToePoke]

I remember going to the Australia friendly in Thomond. Terrible atmosphere. Might have had something to do with the score though.

Yeah, was at that too and was so excited to see Ireland in Limerick and ended up very anticlimactic, it never lifted at all, dragged my father along, he wasn't converted.

[CraftyToePoke]

Belfast...

A fine concept. Where would you play it ?

[backstothewall]

Windsor wouldn't be likely to be available but Ravenhill has held football matches before and the facilities are more than adequate

[Real ale Madrid]

Walsall, I'd think in that hairy scenario Derry is getting first dibs on that game.

Great how the forum just refuses to recognize backtowalsall becoming backstothewall. It's like Dingle v An Daingean.

[nigel-harps1954]

Great how the forum just refuses to recognize backtowalsall becoming backstothewall. It's like Dingle v An Daingean.

In fairness, can't say he wasn't warned ;)

[backstothewall]

I've become a human form of Lansdowne Road.

I have to admit it makes me smile every time

[DeLorean]

You were always known as Backs-To-The-Wall to me.

[backstothewall]

I've been thinking about this today. There's no reason at all why a game couldn't happen in the North. We have played in London many times with no difficulties.

The usual suspects will have a problem, but they are easily ignored. We have a lot of fans in Limerick so we have taken games there. We have a lot of fans in London so we have taken games there. We have a lot of fans in Belfast so why not take a game there. Those usual suspects will have a hard time explaining why Belfast is different from London.

I would suggest Belfast first instead of Derry simply because if you have done it in Belfast, going to a League of Ireland ground in Derry wouldn't be remotely controversial. If you start in Derry though you have to go through the nonsense twice.

In the long term I think the nonsense would be worth going through though.

[nigel-harps1954]

Could always just play Northern Ireland in Windsor Park?

[BonnieShels]

I've been thinking about this today. There's no reason at all why a game couldn't happen in the North. We have played in London many times with no difficulties.

The usual suspects will have a problem, but they are easily ignored. We have a lot of fans in Limerick so we have taken games there. We have a lot of fans in London so we have taken games there. We have a lot of fans in Belfast so why not take a game there. Those usual suspects will have a hard time explaining why Belfast is different from London.

I would suggest Belfast first instead of Derry simply because if you have done it in Belfast, going to a League of Ireland ground in Derry wouldn't be remotely controversial. If you start in Derry though you have to go through the nonsense twice.

In the long term I think the nonsense would be worth going through though.

That's actually compelling logic. And don't forget we've played other teams in the States and Italy in Belgium!

I suggest we get ourselves nominated as the away side to really rub it in!!!

[osarusan]

If the IFA have to sign off on it (I believe they do, as it's their jurisdiction, but I might be wrong), I can't imagine it ever happening.

[CraftyToePoke]

If the IFA have to sign off on it (I believe they do, as it's their jurisdiction, but I might be wrong), I can't imagine it ever happening.

I suppose they would have some say on who plays in the place alright, now you mention it :) there must be some clause or sub paragraph in the rules of it.

Danny ? You are up I believe

[SwanVsDalton]

First they came for our players, then they came for our fans etc ad infinitum forever.

It won't happen, and us up here would be the ones who'd have to listen to it over and over again.

[BonnieShels]

You were always known as Backs-To-The-Wall to me.

Lick.


First they came for our players, then they came for our fans etc ad infinitum forever.

It won't happen, and us up here would be the ones who'd have to listen to it over and over again.

But they done do that anyway.

[BonnieShels]

Further to this playing in the territory of the IFA:




Members and their Clubs may not play on the territory of another Member
without the latter’s approval.

http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/generic/02/58/14/48/2015fifastatutesen_neutral.pdf
Page 58

So yeah, IFA approval needed.

[backstothewall]

It would have to be in Windsor Park then. The only possible way to get the IFA to agree would be if the Linfield mafia were pushing it. It sounds unlikely but they would be the ones getting paid for the rental of the ground, so maybe not impossible.

[osarusan]

There isn't a hope in hell of getting the IFA to sanction a home game in Windsor against any international team other than Northern Ireland.

[CraftyToePoke]

Well, yes, probably, but it would be funny to make them say no publicly to the request all the same and watch them falling over their words. These kind of intrusions from their neighbours aren't their strong point like.

[backstothewall]

If you ask often enough you never know. They relented to letting Derry join the League Of Ireland eventually

[Gather round]

If you comedians want a (suburban) Belfast venue, the Carrickfergus International Arena may be available- but you'll have to install 4G and do car parking deals with the Health Centre and Prince Andrew Swimming Pool.

On a similar theme, how many of your projected Euros squad have actualy lived in the country?

[CraftyToePoke]

Like a moth to the flame there GR, welcome, always welcome here. You must have heard us calling you :)

[Gather round]

Aye, I look in most weeks for a welcome trolling/ mopery treat ;)

PS answering my own question, I'll guess at 15.

[CraftyToePoke]

I am guessing, as you have raised this a few times you know exactly, and in some headcount of Irishness you are claiming in this instance to be more Irish then we as you have more in yours ?

You Sir, may have that one if it be the case & how you wish to quantify it :)

[Charlie Darwin]

There isn't a hope in hell of getting the IFA to sanction a home game in Windsor against any international team other than Northern Ireland.
What if we proposed playing Northern Ireland in Windsor but letting us be the home team?

[osarusan]

What if we proposed playing Northern Ireland in Windsor but letting us be the home team?

Black hole swallows everybody except the pig flying overhead.

[Gather round]

I am guessing, as you have raised this a few times you know exactly, and in some headcount of Irishness you are claiming in this instance to be more Irish then we as you have more in yours ?

You Sir, may have that one if it be the case & how you wish to quantify it :)

Well obviously I don't know exactly, I doubt Mad Mart does at this stage.

But yes, it's a fairly safe bet you'll have about twice as many English and Scots in your squad as we will. Not to mention cross-border emigrants from up here.

Sorry to repeat myself, I though it was obligatory on this thread?

[SolitudeRed]

It would have to be in Windsor Park then. The only possible way to get the IFA to agree would be if the Linfield mafia were pushing it. It sounds unlikely but they would be the ones getting paid for the rental of the ground, so maybe not impossible.

Maybe in a few years time they will actually have sorted out the redevelopment of Casement and it could be played there and sure no need to worry about FIFA/IFA just play a club team or even the Basque or Catalan 'National' teams and that wouldn't be an issue then :D


If you comedians want a (suburban) Belfast venue, the Carrickfergus International Arena may be available- but you'll have to install 4G and do car parking deals with the Health Centre and Prince Andrew Swimming Pool.


That is a novel idea but given the send off Cliftonville fans got from the locals on Tuesday night, I don't think that idea would go down too well with them and they would no doubt throw an even bigger sh*tfit complete with even more bottles and fireworks for good measure!

[Gather round]

Sorry to hear that SR. Hope all made it out of town safely.

I can't see a large stadium being rebuilt on the Casement site in the foreseeable future, especially after Caral n. C's recent difficulties.

[osarusan]

Well, yes, probably, but it would be funny to make them say no publicly to the request all the same and watch them falling over their words.
I'm not sure they'd have to say no publicly. I don't think there has been much/any publicity to accompany the FA's approval of our games in England. Perhaps a like in the announcement that the games were going ahead. The only time I recall any publicity was when they were apparently a bit bemused (http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/fa-questions-request-for-london-match-1.131972) by the first of such applications for friendlies nearly 20 years ago.

I suppose it could become public if the FAI made it become public by publicising the planned game and application for approval, and thereby generating interest in a public response from the IFA. But I can't imagine that even they are so stupid as to create publicity over something that would only make them look like idiots. Although maybe they are that stupid...

[Olé Olé]

But yes, it's a fairly safe bet you'll have about twice as many English and Scots in your squad as we will. Not to mention cross-border emigrants from up here.



I hope your tongue is welded to your cheek.

[tetsujin1979]

Can we move on from any discussion on a hypothetical friendly in Belfast? Please and thank you.

[backstothewall]

On a similar theme, how many of your projected Euros squad have actualy lived in the country?

Using the squad I would pick 16

Given (Donegal), Randolph (Wicklow), Forde (Galway), Coleman (Donegal), Duffy (Derry), O'Shea (Waterford), Wilson (Antrim), Ward (Dublin), Brady (Dublin), Whelan (Dublin), Hoolahan (Dublin), McClean (Derry), Hendrick (Dublin), Keane (Dublin), Long (Tipperary), Murphy (Waterford)

The others are Christie (England), Keogh (England), Clark (England), McGeady (Scotland), McCarthy (Scotland) & Arter (England).

I appreciate you'll probably want to have a moan about the lads form the 6 counties. There isn't a lot I can do about that and I'm not discussing any issue around that situation on this thread but the answer is that 16 or there abouts will qualify by virtue of birth without having to claim nationality by virtue of a grandparent etc.

[DeLorean]

Hopefully Westwood for Forde will shift the balance closer to the Brits.

[backstothewall]

Hopefully Westwood for Forde will shift the balance closer to the Brits.

Lets hope Judge doesn't keep Arter out then!

[Olé Olé]

Using the squad I would pick 16

Given (Donegal), Randolph (Wicklow), Forde (Galway), Coleman (Donegal), Duffy (Derry), O'Shea (Waterford), Wilson (Antrim), Ward (Dublin), Brady (Dublin), Whelan (Dublin), Hoolahan (Dublin), McClean (Derry), Hendrick (Dublin), Keane (Dublin), Long (Tipperary), Murphy (Waterford)

The others are Christie (England), Keogh (England), Clark (England), McGeady (Scotland), McCarthy (Scotland) & Arter (England).

I appreciate you'll probably want to have a moan about the lads form the 6 counties. There isn't a lot I can do about that and I'm not discussing any issue around that situation on this thread but the answer is that 16 or there abouts will qualify by virtue of birth without having to claim nationality by virtue of a grandparent etc.

Are Conor Washington, Jamie Ward, Oliver Norwood, Lee Hodson, Billy McKay and Paul Paton in with a shout of making the NI squad I wonder? Self-professed Ireland supporter, Niall McGinn, surely will anyway.

[Gather round]

I appreciate you'll probably want to have a moan about the lads form the 6 counties

Actually no, I wish them all well (if with tongue in cheek as suggested). I see both of us (and Scotland and Wales) continuing to use so many from England as a more serious issue.

[backstothewall]

Actually no, I wish them all well (if with tongue in cheek as suggested). I see both of us (and Scotland and Wales) continuing to use so many from England as a more serious issue.

It will be a problem, if one considers it that, that likely solves itself for us over time. With the exception of few years of economic crisis emigration rates from the south are well down on the bad old days. As years go by there will still be plenty of British kids playing football with names like Keogh & McCarthy, but a lot less of them are going to be with 3 generations of someone born in Ireland.

The weaker economy of the north and the constant flow of working class kids away to join the British military will maybe keep the conveyor going a while longer for you guys, but then if they qualify for you they will qualify for us as well ; )

The risk for us in the future could be losing kids to the likes of Poland and the Czech Republic.