Despite suffering a heavy three-nil defeat at the hands of Australia Giovanni Trapattoni has named an identical squad ahead of the Republic of Ireland’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Cyprus - the 24-man squad will also stand for the national side’s friendly against South Africa at Thomond Park next Tuesday.
The Republic of Ireland face Cyprus in Nicosia on Saturday, September 5 knowing a positive result would edge them closer to qualification - the Republic of Ireland currently lie second in group eight and remain unbeaten during their campaign.
A win in Nicosia would see the Irish end the Cypriots’ hopes of reaching the play-offs - the hosts are currently eight points behind Ireland, but with a game in hand.
The Republic of Ireland won the reverse fixture at Croke Park in October when Robbie Keane’s goal in the fifth minute proved the difference between the sides.
The friendly against South Africa will pit Giovanni Trapattoni’s men against the hosts of next summer’s tournament with the Irish manager keen to give some fringe members of his squad game time at Thomond Park.
As expected the Football Association of Ireland have revised their ticket-pricing structure for the up-coming international friendly at Thomond Park.
For the game against South Africa tickets, including a family-friendly children’s ticket, went on sale on August 24 - tickets will are available from the following outlets: www.fai.ie, Gleeson Sports Scene, Mahon House, 25 Upper William Street, Limerick and the Thomond Park ticket office. Tickets will be priced - schoolboy €7, North and South Terrace €20, East and West Terrace €30, East and West Stand €40, Child Stand ticket (under-16) €20. South Africa will include a number of well-known players in their squad, such as Benni McCarthy of Blackburn, Steven Pienaar of Everton and Aaron Mokoena of Portsmouth.
The Bafana Bafana will play Ireland three days after taking on Germany in Munich on September 5, the same day as Ireland’s World Cup qualifier in Cyprus.
Slightly more than 19,400 soccer fans turned up to see the Republic of Ireland lose three-nil to Australia mere weeks ago at Thomond Park.
Ireland were completely out-classed on the night when Pim Verbeek’s side stroked the ball effortlessly across a pristine Thomond Park and threatened Shay Given’s goal at will - two first half strikes from Tim Cahill and a late David Carney effort from 30 yards gave Australia their deserved win.
Squad: Shay Given, Kieren Westwood, Joe Murphy, John O’Shea, Kevin Foley, Richard Dunne, Stephen Kelly, Kevin Kilbane, Eddie Nolan, Sean St Ledger, Aiden McGeady, Damien Duff, Darron Gibson, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Liam Miller, Stephen Hunt, Andy Keogh, Liam Lawrence, Caleb Folan, Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane, Shane Long & Leon Best.
Brian McDonnell
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