Associations' Tournament dates released

Provisional dates for the six matches of the Four Associations' Tournament have been agreed today following a meeting in Copenhagen.

The tournament, which will take place in Dublin in 2011, will be operated on a league basis with six matches to be played between the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Provisional agreement was reached that the first two games of the tournament involving all four teams will take place on February 8 and February 9, 2011 while it was agreed that the remaining four games would take place three months later on May 24, 25, 27 and 28.

The tournament is expected to attract thousands of supporters and will provide a major boost to Irish tourism along with the UEFA Europa League final which will take place at Aviva Stadium on May 18, 2011.

Welcoming confirmation of the dates, FAI chief executive John Delaney said: “The Four Associations’ tournament will be the first ever tournament to be hosted by the FAI in Dublin.

“We expect huge numbers of fans to travel and alongside the UEFA Europa League Final which will also be hosted in Dublin in May, the tournament will be a major boost for the tourism and hospitality industry.

“Both events will make for a real festival of football and will provide a fitting celebration for Aviva Stadium which is on schedule for completion next year.”