Plans afoot to bring England back to Dublin

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI is optimistic that Ireland will host England in a long-awaited friendly in Dublin next year — assuming, of course, that the two countries are not scheduled to meet in the European Championship finals, the draw for which takes place in Kiev on December 2.

FAI chief executive John Delaney said he too was confident a game would take place, given England “owe” Ireland one after their infamous last meeting, a friendly back in 1995, had to be abandoned after rioting by visiting fans at Lansdowne Road.

“Yes, maybe we have already this appointment,” said Trapattoni yesterday. “For two years we have asked and their diary was busy but now I think England will accept.”