Next Fixture List

[Greenforever]

Forecast fixtures:

Italy (a) Sep. '08
Cyprus (a) Sep. '08
Georgia (h) Oct. '08
Montenegro (h) Oct. '08
Georgia (a) Nov. '09
Italy (h) Mar. '09
Cyprus (h) Mar. '09
Montenegro (a) Sep. '09
Bulgaria (a) Sep. '09
Bulgaria (h) Oct. '09
I think the delegates will once again go for the big gun away early, so that will probably mean Italy away first, look for away games back-to-back then, and look for 7 games to be played by March. Most countries hate playing in June, so I guess we'll look to avoid it as well. The joker in the pack could be the last game back-to-back with the Bulgars. In most cases, the host of the meeting gets to choose their last fixture, but with our conditions this time, and with the FAI probably looking to finish with a big game at home, I think we'll finish at home to Bulgaria in October 2009, similiar to how we finished the Euro'88 campaign. And we know what happened then, don't we?

Wonder how many Mystic Mypost will get right? :)



THey nwont finish with home and away against Bulgaria thats for sure.

Also we will have 2 at home to finish one being Italy if at all possible as that will help to guarantee ticket sales for the double header.

I dont see them playing a game in Nov away if they play away in Sept. Nov is only a friendly date so problems with early release etc, only see them using this date if one away game in Sept. Given our recent poor form v Cyprus, I doubt if they will make that as part of an away double header with any one but Georgia, supposdly the weakest team in the group.

[shakermaker1982]

I think we need to hit the ground running and pick up points straight away - no real 'weak' teams but if forced to choose one I'd opt for Cyprus (please God let's hope lighting doesn't strike for a third time!) first and then look to pick up 6 points at home in October. Montenegro should be avoided early until they play a few games so we have had time to watch them live and on tape. They are an 'unknown'.

Sept - Cyprus (away)
Oct - Georgia (home)
Oct - Bulgaria (home)

[zenokelly]

Forecast fixtures:


Italy (a) Sep. '08
Cyprus (a) Sep. '08
Georgia (h) Oct. '08
Montenegro (h) Oct. '08
Georgia (a) Nov. '09
Italy (h) Mar. '09
Cyprus (h) Mar. '09
Montenegro (a) Sep. '09
Bulgaria (a) Sep. '09
Bulgaria (h) Oct. '09


I think the delegates will once again go for the big gun away early, so that will probably mean Italy away first, look for away games back-to-back then, and look for 7 games to be played by March. Most countries hate playing in June, so I guess we'll look to avoid it as well. The joker in the pack could be the last game back-to-back with the Bulgars. In most cases, the host of the meeting gets to choose their last fixture, but with our conditions this time, and with the FAI probably looking to finish with a big game at home, I think we'll finish at home to Bulgaria in October 2009, similiar to how we finished the Euro'88 campaign. And we know what happened then, don't we?

Wonder how many Mystic Mypost will get right? :)

There's no way we'll go away to Georgia in November, it's the depth of winter and we would'nt get enough prep time. And I don't see us having a Bulgaria double header either.

Predictions:
Montenegro (A) September 08'
Georgia (A) September 08'
Cyprus (H) October 08'
Italy (H) October 08'
Georgia (H) March 09'
Bulgaria (A) March/June 09'
Italy (A) September 09'
Cyprus (A) September 09'
Montenegro (H) October 09'
Bulgaria (H) October 09'

[mypost]

There's no way we'll go away to Georgia in November, it's the depth of winter and we would'nt get enough prep time. And I don't see us having a Bulgaria double header either.

Predictions:
Montenegro (A) September 08'
Georgia (A) September 08'
Cyprus (H) October 08'
Italy (H) October 08'
Georgia (H) March 09'
Bulgaria (A) March/June 09'
Italy (A) September 09'
Cyprus (A) September 09'
Montenegro (H) October 09'
Bulgaria (H) October 09'

Tradition is that we go for the most eastern place first in an away double header (Cyprus-Andorra, Georgia-Albania, Slovakia-CR), so I can't see them changing that this time with Georgia. Italy and Cyprus may be an exception, because they'll want Italy away early, and Cyprus the same for revenge. I can't see them wanting Bulgaria and Italy away in two games. Bulgaria away in June could be in 30c there, and not ideal. If it was a Northern European team, June away would be a runner, but there isn't, so I'll think they'll want to give that one a miss. Sofia and Podgorica would be handy enough for travelling, so getting them as a double header will probably be a priority.

[Paulie]

Does anyone know what time this meeting is scheduled for tomorrow?

[NeilMcD]

Its usually an all day thing. I would reckon it will start about 10 or 11 our time and go on until the evening.

[elroy]

Is this def on tomorrow, the bbc website has breaking news with England starting their campaign off against Andorra.

[Serb]

Yeah, just saw that, was wondering myself.

[Kingdom]

I presume the nov dates in 09 will be set aside for the playoff matches? Which would mean all games over by the 2nd OCtober fixture?

Anyway this is the way I think it could pan out. Wouldn't be too dissatisfied with it either.

Sept 08: Cyprus away
Oct 08: Bulgaria Home , Georgia Home (double header)
Nov 08: Montenegro Home, Italy Away

Mar 09: Montenegro Home Cyprus Home
June 09 Montenegro Away

Sept 09 Georgia Away, Bulgaria Away
Oct 09 Italy Home.

[tetsujin1979]

I presume the nov dates in 09 will be set aside for the playoff matches? Which would mean all games over by the 2nd OCtober fixture?

Anyway this is the way I think it could pan out. Wouldn't be too dissatisfied with it either.

Sept 08: Cyprus away
Oct 08: Bulgaria Home , Georgia Home (double header)
Nov 08: Montenegro Home, Italy Away

Mar 09: Montenegro Home Cyprus Home
June 09 Montenegro Away

Sept 09 Georgia Away, Bulgaria Away
Oct 09 Italy Home.

Don't think Italy will want to play away as their last game after having to go to Scotland and win in the Euro qualifiers

[NeilMcD]

Is this def on tomorrow, the bbc website has breaking news with England starting their campaign off against Andorra.

Eh Scotlands was done in Novembers o not sure what Englands has got to do with it. Not all meetings are done on the same day. They can have them basically whenever they like within reason.

[Kingdom]

Don't think Italy will want to play away as their last game after having to go to Scotland and win in the Euro qualifiers

Thats fair enough but if there's a double header in Oct 09 who's to say it will be Italy's last game? I'd imagine they'll wrap things up with Georgia or Cyprus in Italy.

[Noelys Guitar]

Full England Schedule
http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2008/01/WCQ_fixturesagreed.htm

[elroy]

Eh Scotlands was done in Novembers o not sure what Englands has got to do with it. Not all meetings are done on the same day. They can have them basically whenever they like within reason.

Alright fair enough, just thought they might have been all done on the same day. Looks like we've to wait a little longer so

[Kingdom]

Does anyone know the exact dates set aside for fixtures by UEFA or FIFA ?, I want to do some pre-fixture meeting flight resaerch so I prepared for fast bookings

I've been doing this for the two Sept dates in the chance we play either Georgia and Bulgaria away and while they aren't easy to get to, they certainly aren't to hard either.
I'm completely suspicious over these type of things with regards to certain airlines, but if money is hard up, and it is in my gaff, its cheaper flying to the capital of a Baltic country and flying onto Tbilisi with a Baltic Airline than it is to go with Turkish airlines via Istanbul. By about €400, when I worked it out on Sat.

[mypost]

Does anyone know what time this meeting is scheduled for tomorrow?

Sofia is +2hrs ahead of Dublin, so roughly 8am our time. Fixtures should be released around lunchtime our time. If so, flight fares will rocket up within minutes. If not known until the evening, you could get a bargain deal, before they rocket anyway.


Is this def on tomorrow, the bbc website has breaking news with England starting their campaign off against Andorra.

Irrelevant. The group fixtures are arranged on different days.


I presume the nov dates in 09 will be set aside for the playoff matches? Which would mean all games over by the 2nd OCtober fixture?

Qualifying games must be completed by 31.10.09, i.e. the Wednesday night game in October. November is reserved for play-offs.


Don't think Italy will want to play away as their last game after having to go to Scotland and win in the Euro qualifiers

Italy don't play away in the last match, and didn't in the last qualifiers either. After playing Scotland, they played the Faroes at home. Don't expect a change this time either.

[Greenforever]

Sofia is +2hrs ahead of Dublin, so roughly 8am our time. Fixtures should be released around lunchtime our time. If so, flight fares will rocket up within minutes. If not known until the evening, you could get a bargain deal, before they rocket anyway.

Minutes aAfter last fixtures were announced aerlingus had increased their fares to GErmany to E250 + taxes to all German cities. Ryanair wont increase prices as such but the cheap seats will sell quickly. Other airlines, BMI, Lufthansa, Aerfrance wont but likewise the small no of cheap seats will sell out by the weekend.

Meeting is scheduled for tomorrow but most of the bartering will be done today / and tonight, so dont be surprised if fixtures are announced before lunch tomorrow. Last fixtures meeting was extremely short as most dates had been agreed the night before.

Most likely to start away to Georgia or Cyprus.

[shakermaker1982]

which trip (other than Italy) will be most in demand? I fancy Montenegro and Bulgaria - I imagine the day trippers will keep clear of that one.

[0325422]

Does anyone know what time these fixtures will be availible at, ie what time i can start booking my holidays at. Will the stadium for the away match in italy be names today?

[aidz1]

what is meant by daytrippers??
surely all our fans have to fly in to the opposing city for the game and stay for the days/2 days etc?

[Block G Raptor]

Apparently Croker won't be available for 4 of the dates so the FAI's hand is largely being forced by this

[Jerry The Saint]

What has Don Givens done to justify the level of influence he has over the senior team:confused: His record with the U-21s is even worse than Poor Stan's. Anyone know the statistics?

I would say that he has some embarassing photos of John Delaney except every photo of John Delaney is embarassing. Here's another for the collection - http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0115/ireland.html :eek:

[drummerboy]

Givens is a golfing partner of Delaney

[aidz1]

already a thread on the ireland section going on regarding this. the venue of the italy game will not be named today..

[mypost]

So the pot draws:


Georgia (a)
Montenegro (a)
Cyprus (h)
Georgia (h)
Bulgaria (h)
Italy (a)
Bulgaria (a)
Cyprus (a)
Italy (h)
Montenegro (h)


From a football point of view, a good draw, from a travelling point of view, a disaster. No Sofia-Podgorica twinning, Bulgaria away in June, Cyprus away in September, causing heat issues.

From a football point of view, it's notable for a different tactic used, in NOT going for the big guns away early, but instead in the middle of the series. If we do well in the other games, the run in looks very favourable for qualification. The downside is that Italy and Bulgaria here are certain to be 3pm Saturday ko's :rolleyes:, making match atmosphere non-existent. :mad:

Another thing stands out: Last home qualifier v Cyprus, next home qualifier v Cyprus. Who could have thought it?? :eek:

[NeilMcD]

Germany at home on a saturday was at night, so no reason why those games cannot be moved for television if the Italians want it.

[mypost]

Italian tv wouldn't be that fussed over the ko time. If anything, playing in the afternoon, in a sporting library would suit their players better. They wouldn't have to quieten the crowd, the ko time would take care of that for them.

[galwayhoop]

Italian tv wouldn't be that fussed over the ko time. If anything, playing in the afternoon, in a sporting library would suit their players better. They wouldn't have to quieten the crowd, the ko time would take care of that for them.

is it not the home FA who pick the kick off time???

presumably after witnessing the difference between the Wales and Germany games, from an atmosphere view, the FAI will opt to play the games in the night.

[Stuttgart88]

I think money will be of more interest to them!

[galwayhoop]

I think money will be of more interest to them!

possibly but the time of the kick off doesn't have to be given until 30 days (or less - it could be 14 days - definitely not longer) before the game. our previous game V Cyprus is 35 days before. therefore i would expect that if qualification is still in the melting pot then the management may be consulted as to the most suitable time. anyway wouldn't the evening time be better for TV viewing figures anyway.

Besides lets not get bogged down on what time it is to kick off, we have 8 matches to play in the group, 21 months to wait and also to appoint a manager before it comes around (hopefully not in that order)!!!!!

[ShamrockIreland]

[quote=Jerry The Saint;853944]What has Don Givens done to justify the level of influence he has over the senior team:confused: His record with the U-21s is even worse than Poor Stan's. Anyone know the statistics?

I don't know the stats buts its fairly bad looking alright. I think the idea of even letting Givens onto that panel when hes already so far up JD's.... is ridiculous. I bet he's passing on Delaneys thoughts to the others. Don Givens gets his nose in everywhere.


I would say that he has some embarassing photos of John Delaney except every photo of John Delaney is embarassing. Here's another for the collection -

:D:p I have to admit even in a suit he just looks scruffy. Maybe its his mad hair or maybe its just old John. I shudder to think what some of the other people in the football circles think about us with him at the helm.

I heard Italy went into the fixtures meeting and threw down there chosen dates and said the rest off you can sort it out between you. As champions I suppose they held the cards. I heard Brian Kerr was the best at negotiating fixtures and would not budge when the French and Swiss were trying the old superior trick.

[NeilMcD]

Kerr did an even better trick. He did not go into the negotiations. He stayed outside and let Rooney with a few other delegates and they would report back to Kerr and Kerr would send them back in with instructions. He felt that in negotiations that you tend to soften the more you negotiate and that he would be able to take a harder line by sitting outside the process.

[Kingdom]

Kerr did an even better trick. He did not go into the negotiations. He stayed outside and let Rooney with a few other delegates and they would report back to Kerr and Kerr would send them back in with instructions. He felt that in negotiations that you tend to soften the more you negotiate and that he would be able to take a harder line by sitting outside the process.

In fairness all the fixtures fell well for us in that campaign. everything was in our own hands. If ever there was a missed chance for this group of players to have pushed on.
I regularly wonder what would have happened had those Cyprus draws turned to wins.

[Newryrep]

Could the FAI, if they read this for the next Euro fixtures meeting arrange it ASAP, so as to give the fans the first opportunity for cheap travel/hotel bookings. The Scots had the fixtures agreed before Xmas which gave them first go at flights hotels/especially budget airlines and England had at least 24 hours notice on us.

The fact that England are in Croatia when we are in Montenegro hasnt helped anybody going via Dubrovnik, but it could cause problems in moderately difficult places to get to. eg.The Scots seem to be using Sofia as a base for Macedonia, so if we had Bulgaria on the same Saturday all the cheap flights/hotels/best deals are gone

Just a thought

[Reddladd]

Don't know if anyone has mentioned it but Delaney was quoted as saying in yesterday's Independent that he brought up the issue of ticket prices with the other associations. He was pushing the point that ticket prices should be the same for Ireland fans as it is for home fans.
He has to be congratulated for arguing this point! Tickets to the Cyprus away match comes to mind!