Soccer

Ireland to play Northern Ireland in closed doors match

Training fixture to prepare Martin and Michael O’Neill’s sides for vital Euro qualifiers

Martin O’Neill’s Ireland will take on Northern Ireland in a closed doors training match on June 4th as preparation for their Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland. Photograph: Inpho
Martin O’Neill’s Ireland will take on Northern Ireland in a closed doors training match on June 4th as preparation for their Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland. Photograph: Inpho
Mon Apr 27 2015 - 17:23

Ireland will play Northern Ireland in a training match behind closed doors on June 4th as part of both side’s preparation for vital Euro 2016 qualification games.

Martin O’Neill’s side currently sit in fourth spot in Group D, three points off the leaders Poland, and have a must win game against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on June 13th .

Meanwhile Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland have enjoyed a successful qualification campaign so far and are currently second in Group F, a point behind Romania who they also face on June 13th at Windsor Park.

The training match takes place just three days before Ireland welcome England to Dublin for a friendly on June 7th, and for a lot of Martin O’Neill’s squad it will present them with their first taste of competitive football in more than a month.

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He said: “With the season ending early for a lot of our players, we see this as a mutually beneficial exercise for both sides. Holding the match behind closed doors will give us the flexibility to make any changes we see fit ahead of the European qualifiers on June 13.

“The championship season ends on May 2, and if players are not involved in play-offs, that could be over a month without any games. It represents an ideal opportunity to build the intensity of our preparations, leading into the England friendly, and before the important qualifier against Scotland.”

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill said, “It was important for us to get a quality game before the Euro 2016 qualifier against Romania at home on June 13 and this game provides the perfect scenario on the back of the Qatar friendly (on May 31st).

“Having the game behind closed doors will allow both myself and Martin flexibility, which we wouldn’t have under normal international circumstances, and it will also help greatly in terms of our preparations for the important qualifier against Romania the following weekend.”