Ireland meet Italy in Deaf Olympics

IRELAND’S football team play Italy today in the quarter-finals of the Deaf Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.

Although beaten 2-0 by Britain in the opening game of the group stages, Ireland bounced back with a 3-1 victory over Greece and an 11-0 hammering of hosts Australia, to qualify for today’s knock-out tie.

Meanwhile, Premiership referee Matt Messias will take charge of Ireland’s friendly with Portugal at Lansdowne Road on February 9 (7.30).

The Republic’s U21s will play their Portuguese counterparts in a friendly in Alcochette on Tuesday, February 8.