Fixtures Announced

[lionelhutz]

They may need to beat us to stay in it. don't be so sure Italy will top group. don't be surprised if we get the right manager and win the group

Isnt the optimism wonderful??

I think the fixture list will suit us very well. If we could get a win in Georgia in the 1st game - which is a very tough place to win, ask Scotland - confidence will be sky high and i think we'd win the next 3 games. 12 points from 12 going in to the game against Bulgaria at home and the atmosphere will be electric. I believe its all about getting a win in Georgia and things could take off from there.......

I'm really looking forward to it now......

[shakermaker1982]

We're a mediocre team - every game is intimidating!

Loads of marginal games there - games that are tough to call, but, let's be positive, they are winnable.

Both the two early away games are winnable, as are the next 3 home games. It's a big big ask, but I hope the new manager dopesn't adopt the conservative "draw away win at home" mentality. Every game is a cup final.

There isn't one 'gimme' in our group and it's a group that will go right down to the wire IMO because there isn't a San Marino or Andorra which in theory would be a guaranteed 6 points for the other decent sides. Montenegro are the dark horses - an unknown quantity but at least we'll get to see em play Bulgaria before we meet.

At home we aren't a bad side (Cyprus exempt) but our away form needs to improve for us to have any chance. Like you say I hope the new manager changes our mentality when playing away. If we are to qualify we need away wins in every destination bar Italy (and probably Bulgaria) where a draw would be an excellent result.

[Maroon 7]

Well first thing is if we could get 4 points from the first two away games it would be a decent start. Three home games in a row after that and those home games all have to be won. That would leave us on 13 points at the half way stage but with the two games against Italy and the away trip to Bulgaria to come in the more difficult second half of the fixtures. Not to mention the away trip to Cyprus.

[aidz1]

grand fixture list

going to give the georgia game a miss.
will book montenegro shortly i think..

wont be able to book any of the games for 2009 for another 6+months

[Lionel Ritchie]

I know they play us second but does anyone know who Montenegro pop their competetive international cherry against?

[lionelhutz]

From those games? Say we get 4 from Bulgaria and none aginst Italy? Even share the spoils with Bulgaria?

I can see us matching Bulgaria head to head, so maybe nicking a point from Italy could be crucial, but realistically it's maximising points from the lowest seeded teams that'll determine our fate.

Agreed. if we can him at home against Bulgaria and beat the weaker teams early on - which is a massive ask for Ireland, i know, but should be achievable - then we're in a excellent position. Anything got in Italy is a bonus

[Jerry The Saint]

I know they play us second but does anyone know who Montenegro pop their competetive international cherry against?

Bulgaria at home - right before we play there.

[Lionel Ritchie]

Bulgaria at home - right before we play there.

Balls. I'd have rathered they'd an easier ride first time out.

[Noelys Guitar]

I wonder if our new manager whoever that may be had any input from a distance on the fixtures? Looking forward to the group kicking off and happy enough with our fixtures. We need maximum points from our first 5 games to have a real chance of winning the group.

[Claret Murph]

I would say if we win the first two up it would give us a great lift , looking forward to it already .

[tetsujin1979]

15th October 2008: Republic of Ireland v Cyprus

Will there be a friendly attached for the same week, or November? It'll be hard to sell tickets against Cyprus as a standalone fixture.

[Stuttgart88]

I dunno. New manager, start of a campaign, clean slate and all that.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Will there be a friendly attached for the same week, or November? It'll be hard to sell tickets against Cyprus as a standalone fixture.

It'll be sold within the package of qualifiers, you have to confirm numbers from the off and then pay them in installments, they won't be sold in pairs.

[onephillyhughes]

Personally, would be delighted with 4 points from those first 2 games. Look what Georgia did to a high flying Scotland. We're notorious for struggling in the eastern bloc, so I'd have someones hand off if they handed me 4 points from those 2. Beating Cyprus is a must. They'll fancy it big time, our boys will have to be seriously fired up.

I'm struggling to be overly optimistic, hopefully the appointment of erm..Deschamps will change that.

[eirebhoy]

Bulgaria's full fixture list:

06.09.2008 Montenegro (a)
11.10.2008 Italy (h)
15.10.2008 Georgia (a)
28.03.2009 Ireland (a)
01.04.2009 Cyprus (h)
06.06.2009 Ireland (h)
05.09.2009 Montenegro (h)
09.09.2009 Italy (a)
10.10.2009 Cyprus (a)
14.10.2009 Georgia (h)

[Lionel Ritchie]

Bulgaria's full fixture list:

06.09.2008 Montenegro (a)
11.10.2008 Italy (h)
15.10.2008 Georgia (a)
28.03.2009 Ireland (a)
01.04.2009 Cyprus (h)
06.06.2009 Ireland (h)
05.09.2009 Montenegro (h)
09.09.2009 Italy (a)
10.10.2009 Cyprus (a)
14.10.2009 Georgia (h)

You'd have to think Bulgaria will be happy with having us in june and finishing off with two quite winable games as well.

[fergalr]

Balls. I'd have rathered they'd an easier ride first time out.

No - in fact its perfect that our main rivals get the banana skin fixture. We can go there and pick up three points while they are still hungover from their first ever competitive win.

[Stuttgart88]

It could be all over or absolutely game on for either Bulgaria or ourselves after only 4 games.

[citizenerased]

Good fixtures esp if get 3 pts in the first game...

lads nightmare to get to these games from a double header point of view goin to cost a bomb..

[fergalr]

Bulgaria's full fixture list:

06.09.2008 Montenegro (a)
11.10.2008 Italy (h)
15.10.2008 Georgia (a)
28.03.2009 Ireland (a)

With optimistic hat on ....

Tough opening 4 games there - easy to see them dropping points. Hopefully us beating them at home will then open up a good gap which means that we can travel to Italy and Bulgaria knowing that getting anything from those two games will be a super extra bonus party.