Let's use this thread to discuss the upcoming series of matches: vs England at Wembley (F), vs Georgia in Dublin (F), vs the Faroe Islands in Dublin (WCQ) and vs Spain at Yankee Stadium (F).
Let me begin with a question: Is anyone on here thinking of going to the Spain fixture in New York? I have been trying to figure out how to get tickets without having to buy them for the Man City-Chelsea match the previous week as well. As far as I can tell, they are only being sold as part of a bundle.
Yeah we bought tickets and we had to buy the bundle. We are trying to sell the city-chelsea tickets online.
I'll probably go although I will wait until the last minute to buy tickets on Stubhub. I don't expect a sellout so tickets should be easy to come by.
According to the Yankee Events twitter account, individual match tickets go on sale this Thursday! Republic of Ireland squad: Goalkeepers: David Forde (Millwall), Keiren Westwood (Sunderland), Darren Randolph (Motherwell). Defenders: John O'Shea (Sunderland), Sean St Ledger (Leicester City), Damien Delaney (Crystal Palace), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Marc Wilson (Stoke City), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Stephen Kelly (Reading), Darren O'Dea (Toronto), Paul McShane (Hull City). Midfielders: Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), James McCarthy (Wigan Athletic), Paul Green (Leeds United), Jeff Hendrick (Derby County), Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Anthony Pilkington (Norwich City), James McClean (Sunderland), Robbie Brady (Hull City), David Meyler (Hull City), Andy Keogh (Millwall). Forwards: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Shane Long (West Brom), Connor Sammon (Derby County), Jon Walters (Stoke City), Simon Cox (Nottingham Forest), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City). No major surprises here. Kevin Doyle and Ciaran Clark are injured. I think the squad will be cut next week depending on injuries/availability.
Starting XI for tomorrow: Forde, Coleman, O'Shea, St. Ledger, Kelly, Walters, Whelan, McCarthy, McGeady, Keane, Long. 4-4-2.
Decent 1-1 draw at Wembley! We still struggled badly to retain possession, but England never really looked like breaking us down until the final five minutes. Thought Coleman was immense... Forde and McCarthy too.
Hoolahan should have done enough today against Georgia to get into the match against the Faraoes. His distribution in the second half was sublime.
Yes, Ireland were much-improved in the second half last night. The first half was shocking, but the introduction of Keane at half time (or perhaps the withdrawal of the awful Andy Keogh) made a big difference. The match was over as a contest when Georgia went down to ten men, but it should at least make everyone a little bit sharper for the Faroes on Friday.
Starting XI v Faroe Islands tomorrow: Forde, Coleman, O'Shea, St. Ledger, Wilson, Cox, Whelan, Hoolahan, McGeady, Walters, Keane.
FYI tickets for the Spain game on Tuesday are on Groupon now: http://www.groupon.com/deals/gl-new-york-yankees-2013
Why does Trappatoni insist on sticking with Simon Cox? McLean set up two goals against Georgia on Sunday, yet Cox gets the Nod. Should be a straight forward win regardless.
We're in section 136. Looking forward to it now as its a great stadium. Anyone know what hotel in Manhattan the team will be based?
Unfortunately I can't make the game due to work. All my U.S. based male family members will be there though (you can count the number on one hand).
If Robbie gets his 60th in front of me at Yankee Stadium I will be so happy! Thought we actually played quite well tonight.. with better finishing, it could have been five or six. Austria are gone in terms of goal difference now... we will have to beat them on points outright. The two September matches are massive! Off to NYC bright and early tomorrow morning. It's actually my first trip - very excited.
Ireland starting XI v Spain: Forde, McShane, St. Ledger, O'Dea, kelly, Hendrick, McCarthy, Coleman, Keogh, Keane, Sammon Coleman will move into midfield to make way for McShane at the back? Keogh is chosen over McLean? The back four is weak IMO...hope it's not a repeat of last years Euro disaster. Enjoy the match those that are going.