Updatedat at 19.50
THE REPUBLIC OF Ireland will take on Northern Ireland in a friendly later this year at the Aviva Stadium.
The fixture is scheduled for Thursday 15 November, and will mark the first meeting between the sides since May 2011.
It will also coincide with the Uefa Nations League, but with neither side having a competitive fixture that day, both teams will use the friendly to prepare for the final round of Group B matches coming up the following weekend.
Ireland will face Denmark away on 19 November, while Northern Ireland are due to host Austria in Windsor Park on 18 November.
Speaking after the announcement, Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill said:
“UEFA have made it mandatory that we play a friendly on that date and when we looked at the options across Europe, travelling to Dublin to play the Republic of Ireland made a lot of sense.
“It means that we can stay on the island for the week, train in our usual environment and play a game that will be a good test for us ahead of the Austria match.
“Both countries qualified for UEFA EURO 2016 and both narrowly missed out on qualification for Russia, so it will be an evenly matched and hard-fought contest. From a personal point of view I am looking forward to managing a team against Martin, a manager who I hugely respect and admire.
“Qualification for UEFA EURO 2020 is our number one priority now and with the UEFA Nations League a potential route to the tournament this game means that we will be as prepared as possible for the Austria match.”
Ireland will also take on Poland in an away friendly on 11 September, at a venue that’s yet to be announced, as well as a home friendly in July against opposition which will be confirmed later this week.
The home friendlies are included in the FAI’s season ticket package.
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As Gordon D’Arcy said on Sky, this was no fluke, no dodgy decision, no jammy break. Our lads simply outplayed NZ in all facets of play. To see our pack, 6kg a man lighter, destroying their scrum was a sight to behold. The confidence and belief on display was outstanding.
Congrats to everyone involved a truly historic achievement. Best of luck for the rest of the tournament.
Well done coach.
Fantastic day for Irish rugby. Carolan has done an amazing job with the under 20s. Their attitude and skill set are brilliant to watch.
Landmark day ! Remember this !!
First the women, then the boys, time for the men to step up in Chicago
As much as I think Nigel is great I have to correct him about being the first Irish Team to beat NZ . Nigel the Women’s Irish Rugby Team is the first team to beat NZ. In fact they beat them at the World Cup in France.
The piece said Irish men’s team. If you want to be picky Munster beat them in ’78 which makes them the first ever ;)
Nigels comment 3rd paragraph !!
Ow careless of Nigel to get caught up in the moment for making that slip of the tongue. Maybe you should start a petition to get him sacked. Or, you could get over it and move on (I think the second one would be better for the future of the game )
Ah Sineeeeaaaad!
Hi praise indeed from the NZ herald after todays fantastic match – doesn’t get better than this!
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11655099