Euro 2012 qualifiers:Andorra will be the first competitive visitors to the new Aviva Stadium when they face the Republic of Ireland in the Euro 2012 qualifiers on September 7th, four days after Giovanni Trapattoni's side open the campaign away to Armenia.
Ireland will hosts top seeds Russia at their new home a month after that, with the return leg nearly a year later in September 2011.
Trapattoni has already declared himself satisified with the draw, though he made no mention of a very tricky away date in Macedonia in June, when sweltering heat may well be an issue.
“I am happy with this draw and the early fixtures represent good opportunities for us and it is always good to finish at home (against Armenia).
"On balance, these fixtures are better than those we had in the previous World Cup qualification campaign.
"I also think the squad will have benefitted from the significant steps forward made against top sides like Bulgaria, Montenegro, Italy, France and Brazil.”
From a logistical point of view, the FAI and fans will be disappointed none of the away trips are grouped together, but after failing to reach agreement with their fellow opponents on fixtures there was always going to be an element of the unexpected in the draw conducted by Uefa in Tel Aviv this afternoon.
Skopje in June averages around 27 degrees Celsius, so an evening kick-off will be a priority for Trapattoni. The Italian will want to minimise the chances of another nightmare visit to the Macedonian capital.
There have been two so far, most recently in the Euro 2000 qualifiers when a late goal cost Ireland a place in the tournament on a night that has since been etched into the psyche of players and fans alike.
On paper, at least, Trapattoni's side is the more accomplished, with Russia and Slovakia the real dangers in footballing terms.
A relief, then, that they do not travel to Moscow in October, though a trip to Bratislava immediately after a tough home tie against Russia in September is not ideal.
Uefa EURO 2012 Championship — Group B Fixtures
Friday, September 3rd, 2010
Armenia v Republic of Ireland
Tuesday, September 7th, 2010
Republic of Ireland v Andorra
Friday, October 8th, 2010
Republic of Ireland v Russia
Tuesday, October 12th, 2010
Slovakia v Republic of Ireland
Saturday, March 26th, 2011
Republic of Ireland v Macedonia
Saturday, June 4th, 2011
Macedonia v Republic of Ireland
Friday, September 2nd, 2011
Republic of Ireland v Slovakia
Tuesday, September 6th, 2011
Russia v Republic of Ireland
Friday, October 7th, 2011
Andorra v Republic of Ireland
Tuesday, October 11th, 2011
Republic of Ireland v Armenia