Tough start to World Cup qualifiers

The Republic of Ireland will start their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign with a tough double-header later this year.

Following a fixtures meeting in Sofia today between the teams due to compete in Group Eight, the Republic face Georgia on September 6 and then Montenegro four days later.

With Ireland still to announce a new manager, it was primarily down to Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney to negotiate matters.

In the wake of Steve Staunton’s sacking towards the end of the failed Euro 2008 qualifying programme last year, the FAI are still in the process of looking for a new boss.

The matter is currently in the hands of a selection panel that includes Don Givens, Don Howe and Ray Houghton.

A number of names have been speculated upon in recent weeks, with the panel expected to make their recommendation to the FAI Board of Management later this month.

The FAI remain hopeful the new manager will be in charge for the prestigious friendly with Brazil at Croke Park in Dublin on February 6.

Further friendlies are planned with Serbia at Croke Park on May 24, and then against Norway in Oslo on August 20 prior to the qualifying programme commencing.

Republic of Ireland World Cup Group Eight qualifying fixtures:

Sep 6 v Georgia (a)

Sep 10 v Montenegro (a)

Oct 15 v Cyprus (h)

Feb 11 v Georgia (h)

Mar 28 v v Bulgaria (h)

Apr 1 v Italy (a)

Jun 6 v Bulgaria (a)

Sep 5 v Cyprus (a)

Oct 10 v Italy (h)

Oct 14 v Montenegro (h)