KICK-OFF times for the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup play-off with France were confirmed by the FAI yesterday. Ireland welcome Raymond Domenech’s superstars to Croke Park on Saturday, November 14th with the match due to start at 8pm.
The lateness of the hour is unlikely to have been greeted too enthusiastically by staff at GAA headquarters who face a race against time to get the stadium ready for Ireland’s rugby international with Australia the following afternoon.
The return leg in Paris - on Wednesday, November 18th - will start at 9pm local time (8pm Irish).
Tickets for the Stade de France sold out within hours of going on sale last week and the decision not to make seats available to buy online or over the telephone should have ensured most remain in French hands.
The FAI received an allocation of just 8,500, meaning Irish fans are highly unlikely to have the same presence as in 2004, the last time the sides met in Paris, when up to 30,000 found a way into the stadium.
Republic of Ireland manager Trapattoni is due to name his squad for both games on Friday. The Italian has maintained since the draw was made that his side have little to fear having negotiated a qualifying group containing Italy and Bulgaria.
- Noel O’Reilly
