Soccer: Ireland go Dutch instead of mini US tournament

FAI chief Fran Rooney yesterday announced that Ireland will play the Netherlands on Saturday, June 5, in Amsterdam in preference to playing in a mini tournament in America.

The match will serve as an important test for the Dutch who will compete in the European Championship finals in Portugal later that month.

And Ireland jumped at the opportunity of playing one of Europe's elite teams as part of their preparations for the World Cup qualifiers in September.

Mr Rooney was speaking at the Berkeley Court Hotel where he was amongst the guests at the Irish Examiner's junior sports stars awards, where he was a guest.

Ireland had planned to spend three weeks in America but the opportunity of playing the highly rated Dutch was more attractive to the Irish management team as part of their preparations for the World Cup qualifiers in September.

Cutting back on travel to ensure players had a break after the club season was also a consideration.

Mr Rooney said they now intended to seek another top-quality challenge against European opposition.

It is possible Ireland might play a game at a venue in Britain possibly the Millennium Stadium in anticipation of Lansdowne Road being closed for re-development.

Old Trafford and Anfield are other possible alternatives. for the Irish who may be forced to play some 'home' matches outside of Dublin when work commences on Lansdowne Road.

Manchester City starlet Willo Flood was honoured at the function as the winner of the Examiner's award for soccer. He follows a long line of distinguished former winners like Damien Duff, Robbie Keane, Roy Keane and Andy Reid.

Last weekend Flood played his first match for Rochdale where he is on loan for a month.

Flood, who is 19, played central midfield for Rochdale under the watchful eyes of his manager at City, Kevin Keegan.

He said: "It went well for me. The manager said he was pleased with my performance. He said I used the ball well and I'm hoping that in a month's time I'll be given my chance in the Premiership with City."

Flood, who first came to prominence with Dublin schoolboy club, Cherry Orchard, has been three years at City and is already a regular member of Ireland's U-21 squad. He was a star in the Irish team that reached the last 16 of the World Youth Cup in the UAE last November.