Next Ireland friendly

**pete** · 02/11/2007, 12:36 PM

I heard Ireland due to host Italy next year...can any one confirm?

**eirebhoy** · 02/11/2007, 1:56 PM

Matches Set

The FAI will offer their new manager a triple-header Croke Park test against Brazil, Argentina and Italy next year.

John Delaney confirmed that he has concluded negotiations with the South American giants for Dublin visits.

Brazil are first up at Croke Park in February with world champions Italy set to follow in March and Argentina due in town next autumn.

�I have been negotiating with Brazil and Argentina to come to Croke Park and those games will happen,� said Delaney.

http://www.irishabroad.com/news/iris...ton031107.aspx

**jbyrne** · 02/11/2007, 2:12 PM

maybe overly critical but these games, except maybe v Italy, are nothing more than carnivals to make money. we should be concentrating on playing teams similar to what we will have in our group for the euro champ qualifiers. surely thats what friendlies are for

on the plus side, they may at least re-kindle a bit of interest in the team again with a new manager at the helm

**Wolfie** · 02/11/2007, 2:16 PM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Matches Set

The FAI will offer their new manager a triple-header Croke Park test against Brazil, Argentina and Italy next year.

http://www.irishabroad.com/news/iris...ton031107.aspx

Anyone aware of the phrase "Baptism of fire".

**Stuttgart88** · 02/11/2007, 2:39 PM

We'll lose all 3 and we'll all be going "Hiddink out, he hasn't a clue"

**Kingdom** · 02/11/2007, 2:43 PM

The most interesting thing that I picked out in that piece was that senior players want an input in the selection process. Come off it !

**Torn-Ado** · 02/11/2007, 2:45 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

We'll lose all 3 and we'll all be going "Hiddink out, he hasn't a clue"

Not at all. These are friendlies man.We win handsomely playing total football scoring suberb goals.

reder · 02/11/2007, 2:46 PM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

we should be concentrating on playing teams similar to what we will have in our group for the euro champ qualifiers. surely thats what friendlies are for

100% agree. Our biggest problem over the past few years in qualifying has been our away form. We should be arranging friendlies against eastern block countries away, as opposed to these money making glamour games which will be of no benifit when we play our next qualifier away from home.

**jmurphyc** · 02/11/2007, 2:52 PM

Originally Posted by reder

100% agree. Our biggest problem over the past few years in qualifying has been our away form. We should be arranging friendlies against eastern block countries away, as opposed to these money making glamour games which will be of no benifit when we play our next qualifier away from home.

That's the FAI for you. Money grabbing sc*m.

**CollegeTillIDie** · 02/11/2007, 2:57 PM

We played Italy last time they were World Champions at home back in 1985, Paul McGrath's debut. Let's hope we unearth another gem like him this time around.

**ifk101** · 02/11/2007, 3:02 PM

Originally Posted by jmurphyc

That's the FAI for you. Money grabbing sc*m.

Yes and no. I going to defend the FAI here - rental costs of Croke Park and the Lansdowne redevelopment mean that they need full houses for friendly games. To guarantee full houses they need big name teams who coincidently don't come cheaply.

**eirebhoy** · 02/11/2007, 3:06 PM

The last Italy match was one of Duff's best ever Ireland performances imo. They had 3 or 4 players on him by the end.

Just looking at the FIFA rankings. Off the top of my head I think we've played every team in the top 20 in the last decade bar England and Uruguay.

**jmurphyc** · 02/11/2007, 3:07 PM

Originally Posted by ifk101

Yes and no. I going to defend the FAI here - rental costs of Croke Park and the Lansdowne redevelopment mean that they need full houses for friendly games. To guarantee full houses they need big name teams who coincidently don't come cheaply.

But according to media reports they still managed to make a fortune from the 4 group games played there this year. And if you work out the approximate figures, the media are probably right. Why not just have one massive game at Croke Park and then have a few away friendlies. We've only had about 4 away friendles in the last 4 years (and that's only if you include the 2 american games in the summer).

Having a good shot at qualifying should be the first thing on the FAI's minds. If we manage to qualify then the FAI should easily get the lost money back.

**geysir** · 02/11/2007, 3:16 PM

Is it confirmed though? that is Cathal Dervan in Irish abroad.

At least it sounds promising.

**Jerry The Saint** · 02/11/2007, 3:19 PM

Three friendlies sounds a lot, throw in competitive games and I'm not sure how accommodating the GAA and, maybe more importantly, the local residents would be.

Maybe this is an indication that our early competitive games for the World Cup will be away matches?

**jmurphyc** · 02/11/2007, 3:25 PM

Originally Posted by Jerry The Saint

Three friendlies sounds a lot, throw in competitive games and I'm not sure how accommodating the GAA and, maybe more importantly, the local residents would be.

Maybe this is an indication that our early competitive games for the World Cup will be away matches?

I'm currently a local resident and I'd obviously have no problem with it. If there's a residents meeting in regards to these games I'll definitely be there and giving my opinion. I can't see it being an issue personally. The Germany and Cyprus games were relatively peaceful, although a glamour friendly may be another matter...

Besides, I assume the FAI have already conferred with the GAA on this matter if they're planning three friendlies.

**RogerMilla** · 02/11/2007, 3:37 PM

sounds a great idea to me , good opposition to blood in players and tactics. as for the away friendlies forget it , we won in denmark and in amsterdam under kerr and it did very little good once the real games came about , best preparation for an away win is having a confident panel flying to the game.

**jmurphyc** · 02/11/2007, 3:41 PM

Originally Posted by RogerMilla

sounds a great idea to me , good opposition to blood in players and tactics. as for the away friendlies forget it , we won in denmark and in amsterdam under kerr and it did very little good once the real games came about , best preparation for an away win is having a confident panel flying to the game.

But we also won home friendles before big games and it did us no good. Why are home friendlies a good idea but away friendlies aren't? If you have a full panel of players to choose from it shouldn't matter where the game is, and away games are surely much more testing to help blood new players into the team.

**irishfan86** · 02/11/2007, 10:20 PM

I'm all for these friendlies. They'll be against good opposition and they'll give Irish fans something to get excited about.

You all talk about arranging away friendlies, well what good did Denmark do for us?

May as well make the money if it's there to be had.