Croke Park will play host to a third international soccer friendly this year, it has emerged.

The Republic of Ireland played Brazil at Croke Park in February and are set to host Serbia at GAA headquarters on Saturday, May 24th. The game will mark Giovanni Trapattoni's first game in charge.

After permission from GAA Central Council, the FAI have been allowed to bring one of the games scheduled for 2009 forward to this November.

"Their intention is to play an additional friendly game in November which will mean they'll have three friendly this year and one in 2009," said GAA Director General Pauric Duffy.

"That's because they have four scheduled games in 2009 as part of World Cup qualifying so they've brought a friendly game forward and Central Council approved that at the weekend."