Kerr seals Turkey date as warm-up for Swiss clash

The Republic of Ireland will play a friendly international against Turkey at Lansdowne Road in September in what will be manager Brian Kerr’s final preparation game for the crucial Euro 2004 qualifier with Switzerland.

Ireland face Russia in the penultimate qualifier on September 6, three days before the clash with Turkey.

A favourable result against Russia would see the Republic will go into the final game with Switzerland in Basel on October 11 knowing that a good result would see Kerr’s team top Group 10 and qualify automatically for next year’s European Championship finals in Portugal.