THE Republic of Ireland will face Northern Ireland in a behind closed doors training match at the Aviva Stadium in summer.
The fixture will be played on Thursday, June 4, three days before Martin O’Neill’s side host England at the same venue, the FAI confirmed.
It also comes almost a week ahead of his side’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland on Saturday, June 13.
Speaking today, Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill said, “With the season ending early for a lot of our players, we see this as a mutually beneficial exercise for both sides.
“It represents an ideal opportunity to build the intensity of our preparations, leading into the England friendly, and before the important qualifier against Scotland.”
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill believes that the game will offer flexibility to both teams to make appropriate changes ahead of the group clashes.
He said: “It was important for us to get a quality game before the EURO 2016 qualifier against Romania at home on June 13 and this game provides the perfect scenario on the back of the Qatar friendly.”
