Thomond set for second soccer friendly

THOMOND PARK is set to stage its second international soccer friendly after it was announced yesterday that the Republic of Ireland will face World Cup hosts South Africa in a friendly on Tuesday, September 8.

The match follows on from August’s arrival of Australia to the Limerick venue and will serve as further preparation for Giovanni Trapattoni’s side in advance of October’s closing World Cup qualification clashes against Italy and Montenegro in October. It also comes three days after the visit to Cyprus who succumbed 1-0 at Croke Park last October.

The ‘Bafana-Bafana’ will provide a useful test for the Irish, who currently lead Group 8, and they are likely to call on players such as Blackburn Rovers pair Benni McCarthy and Aaron Mokoena and Everton’s Steven Pienaar.

Ireland have only ever taken on the South Africans once, a 2-1 victory in Giants Stadium during the 2000 United States Cup.

McCarthy was on the scoresheet that day, ensuring an early lead for his side but Ireland responded thanks to strikes from Stephen McPhail and Niall Quinn, his 20th and penultimate international goal, putting him level with Frank Stapleton.

After the announcement, Thomond Park Stadium Director John Cantwell, said: “We are delighted to announce the second fixture with the FAI and particularly pleased that they would consider Thomond Park to host two senior international games over such a short space of time. The South Africa international will ... demonstrate the flexibility of the stadium.”

Meanwhile, Ireland’s Women’s face a tough qualifying campaign for the 2011 Women’s FIFA World Cup after Noel King’s charges were drawn in Group 6 along with Russia, Switzerland, Israel and Kazakhstan.

The draw, which was held in Nyon, Switzerland yesterday, means the Girls in Green will renew rivalries with Russia and Switzerland who they faced in the 2007 qualifying competition. Group games begin on September 19.