Soccer

Republic to take on Australia at Thomond

SOCCER: A little piece of history will be created this August when the Republic of Ireland take on Australia at Thomond Park…

PAUL GALLAGHER
Mon Mar 02 2009 - 00:00

SOCCER: A little piece of history will be created this August when the Republic of Ireland take on Australia at Thomond Park in the first senior soccer international to be played in Limerick.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) today announced the fixture for Wednesday, August 12th after agreement was reached with officials at the redeveloped 26,000 capacity stadium, Munster rugby’s home ground.

“I am very happy to have reached this agreement with Thomond Park Stadium,” said John Delaney, FAI chief executive. “I thank the Stadium’s management and Board for their foresight in opening up Thomond Park to other sports which will enable us to bring senior international football to Limerick for the first time.

“Thomond Park is a great sporting venue and we look forward to an exciting game against Australia in August.”

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The friendly will form part of Ireland’s preparations ahead of their World Cup qualifier away to Cyprus on Saturday, September 5th.

Before all that Ireland will take on Bulgaria in their next qualifier at Croke Park on Saturday, March 28th. The following Wednesday they travel to Bari to take on world champions Italy.

Another friendly will take place on May 29th when Ireland take on Nigeria at Fulham’s home ground, Craven Cottage in London. This match takes place before Ireland’s away trip to Bulgaria in their qualifier on Saturday, June 6th.

There is also a friendly fixture date available in September, but as yet nothing has been confirmed.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s side remain unbeaten in the qualifying campaign after their 2-1 comeback win over Georgia at Croke Park last month. They are joint top of Group 8 with 10 points alongside Italy.

Ireland is 29th in the Fifa world rankings, two places below Pim Verbeek’s Australian side.

Confirmed Republic of Ireland fixtures 2009

28/03/09 WCQ: Rep of Ireland v Bulgaria (Croke Park)

01/04/09 -WCQ: Italy v Rep of Ireland (Bari)

29/05/09 - Friendly: Rep of Ireland v Nigeria (Craven Cottage)

06/06/09 - WCQ: Bulgaria v Rep of Ireland (Tba)

12/08/09 – Friendly: Rep of Ireland v Australia (Thomond Park)

05/09/09 – WCQ: Cyprus v Rep of Ireland (Tba)

10/10/09 - WCQ: Rep of Ireland v Italy (Croke Park)

14/10/09 - WCQ: Rep of Ireland v Montenegro (Croke Park)