FAI firm up summer friendlies

Ireland look set to face Costa Rica as well as Portugal in the US in June

Republic of Ireland   manager Martin O’Neill. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho

The FAI looks set to add a game against Costa Rica on June 7th to Ireland's summer schedule, with Boston the most likely venue.

The association has been looking to set up a second game in the US after having provisionally agreed to play Portugal in New Jersey on the 10th and, while contracts have not been signed for either game, tickets are already on sale through Ticketmaster for the later one and both now look very likely to go ahead.

Martin O’Neill had previously seemed keen on games for the team but cool about the idea of keeping the group together until so far into June, given the extent to which such a prolonged post season gathering would have on his players’ summer break.

The association, however, was anxious to make any trip across the Atlantic pay and the Costa Rica game should now ensure that the additional games are profitable from its perspective.

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The only game actually confirmed at this stage is the one against Turkey on May 25th but the game against Italy, expected to be played at Craven Cottage six days later, should also be firmed up in due course.

Ireland’s provisional end of season schedule

v Turkey, May 25th, Dublin

v Italy, May 31st, London

v Costa Rica, June 7th, Boston

v Portugal, June 10th, New Jersey

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone is Work Correspondent at The Irish Times