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Socceroos to play Ireland

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3 March 2009 | 01:30 - AAP

Australia will face the Republic of Ireland in a friendly at Limerick's Thomond Park Stadium in August, it was announced on Monday.


 

It will be the first time Ireland have played a senior international game in Limerick and the first time the recently redeveloped home of Munster Rugby has hosted a major football fixture.

Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland, currently level on points with Italy at the top of World Cup qualifying Group 8, will use the friendly - scheduled for August 12 - as preparation for their vital qualifier against Cyprus in September.

Australia have several World Cup qualifiers of their own in the Asian section before then.

They face Uzbekistan on April 1, travel to Qatar on June 5 and then host Bahrain and Japan on June 9 and 16.

John Delaney, chief executive officer of the Football Association of Ireland, said: "I am very happy to have reached this agreement with Thomond Park Stadium.

"I thank the stadium's management and Board for their foresight in opening up Thomond Park to other sports, which will enable us to bring senior international football to Limerick for the first time.

"Thomond Park is a great sporting venue and we look forward to an exciting game against Australia in August."

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