Ireland friendly with England 'unlikely'

Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney has admitted a friendly against England before Euro 2012 is unlikely.

Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney has admitted that a friendly against England before Euro 2012 is unlikely.

The Republic of Ireland could meet England in the quarter-finals of next summer's tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

There had been suggestions the teams could meet in the build-up to the finals.

But Delaney told Ken Doherty's show on Sunshine FM: "The England game is looking less likely for May.

"The fact from the English perspective that we could play them in the quarter-finals...they're not that keen to do it in May, but they're keen to come sooner rather than later after that.

"But it's highly unlikely that it would be May now."

Ireland have been drawn in Group C at Euro 2012 alongside Spain, Italy and Croatia, while England are in Group D with France, Sweden and Ukraine.