What time is the game due to start?
Kick off is 1pm, Thursday in the Aviva Stadium.
Will we be able to watch it?
No, the game will strictly be behind closed doors. No tickets have been sold to the public and there will be no media presence or TV coverage.
Is it a full international friendly?
No, it is a training match. This will give both managers the flexibility to make as many substitutions as they like, among other things.
What’s the point of the game?
Both teams face crunch Euro 2016 qualifiers next week — Ireland against Scotland, and Northern Ireland against Romania. The game will give players some much needed match time, particularly those Championship players whose club season finished over a month ago.
It’s “very much about fitness,” Martin O’Neill said on Wednesday.
Will Ireland name a strong side?
Martin O’Neill said he intends to utilise all of the players available to him. Twenty-three of the 27-man squad trained in the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday — Robbie Keane, Wes Hoolahan, Jon Walters and Darren Randolph will link up later — and all of those players can reasonably expect to feature.
Which team will wear green?
Ireland.
Originally published on 3 June at 18.41
Huge game, no doubt the lads will stand up and be counted. Come on Ireland….
It’s a tough time for those on the sidelines waiting to play. In fact, I cannot imagine any of the 33 Irish players not wanting to play week in, week out. It’s tough for those who don’t make the matchday squad but turn up every week to support those who do. Andy Farrell has put together a great squad, with everyone looking out for each other and building confidence in the squad.
I’m looking forward to the game on Saturday evening and hope my blood pressure and heart keep working normal. That SA game was a tough one on the body ;0)
C’mon Ireland!