Soccer: Armenia first up for the Irish Republic

Irish News
March 26, 2010 Friday

Sport – Armenia first up for the Republic

The Republic of Ireland will begin their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign
with a trip to Armenia and a home clash with Andorra in September.

After the opening away game on September 3, Andorra will be the
Republic’s first competitive opponents at the Aviva Stadium

"I am happy with this draw and the early fixtures represent good
opportunities for us and it is always good to finish at home," said
manager Giovanni Trapattoni.

"On balance, these fixtures are better than those we had in the
previous World Cup qualification campaign.

"I also think the squad will have benefitted from the significant
steps forward made against top sides like Bulgaria, Montenegro, Italy,
France and Brazil."

Friday, 3 September, 2010: Armenia (A)
Tuesday, 7 September, 2010: Andorra (H)
Friday, 8 October, 2010: Russia (H)
Tuesday, 12 October, 2010: Slovakia (A)
Saturday, 26 March, 2011: Macedonia (H)
Saturday, 4 June, 2011: Macedonia (A)
Friday, 2 September, 2011: Slovakia (H)
Tuesday, 6 September, 2011: Russia (A)
Friday, 7 October, 2011: Andorra (A)
Tuesday, 11 October, 2011: Armenia (H).