Playoff dates: For those that may need to book time off etc

**MariborKev** · 15/08/2009, 12:44 PM

Hardly jumping the gun, but some of us may need to book the dates in advance

"Play off dates
Should Ireland finish second and have to play an extra 2 qualifying matches. The matches have been scheduled for Saturday, 14 November and Wednesday, 18 November 2009. The draw to determine the home and away match assignments will be conducted in Zurich on Monday, 19 October 2009."

**stiffler** · 15/08/2009, 3:58 PM

Cheers.

Will the block booking still count for the home play off ? (in the event of us reaching it)

**gspain** · 15/08/2009, 6:54 PM

Originally Posted by stiffler

Cheers.

Will the block booking still count for the home play off ? (in the event of us reaching it)

Definitely.

**jbyrne** · 19/08/2009, 5:19 PM

isnt croke park being used for a rugby match on sunday 15th november? will this affect a possible home play-off the day before??

**gspain** · 19/08/2009, 5:41 PM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

isnt croke park being used for a rugby match on sunday 15th november? will this affect a possible home play-off the day before??

I assume that is why the Australia game is on the Sunday. I don't see why it should.

If anything I'd be more concerned about the state of the pitch if we were at home on the following Wednesday.

**Greenforever** · 19/08/2009, 7:44 PM

Originally Posted by gspain

I assume that is why the Australia game is on the Sunday. I don't see why it should.

If anything I'd be more concerned about the state of the pitch if we were at home on the following Wednesday.

Shouldnt be an issue, pitch was only layed after the U2 gigs, should have no problem even with a rugby game a few days before.

**theworm2345** · 20/08/2009, 1:42 AM

Will the draw determine who plays at home first or does the position the teams finish determine that? I'd like to try to come over if the Ireland's home match is the one on Saturday but can't if its on Wednesday.

**Greenforever** · 20/08/2009, 2:08 AM

As of today it's an open draw ie unseeded,with first team out playing 1st leg at home, BUT it is UEFA so don't be surprised if all changes based on who is in the play offs

**Junior** · 21/08/2009, 4:05 PM

Originally Posted by Greenforever

Shouldnt be an issue, pitch was only layed after the U2 gigs, should have no problem even with a rugby game a few days before.

November weather would surely play a big impact on how a pitch would look after the egg chasers have been on it?

**Greenforever** · 21/08/2009, 6:00 PM

Originally Posted by Junior

November weather would surely play a big impact on how a pitch would look after the egg chasers have been on it?

Where have you been all summer????????

Surely we won't have more rain in November than we've had recently

**tetsujin1979** · 23/08/2009, 12:03 PM

I was at the hurling semi final last week (it's going to take a while to get over that one) and the pitch was looking threadbare in patches. I know it was relaid after the U2 gig, but 3 weeks later it should have been fine.