International Friendly Match Rep of Ireland vs Northern Ireland 24 May 2011

An International match beetween Republic v NI. The two neighbours last met in 1999 when Northern Ireland emerged as 1-0 winners, although the Republic boast the better record overall having triumphed in three of their nine match-ups.


The Republic are currently level on points with Scotland in the four-team group, which also includes Wales, following a round of matches in February.
Giovanni Trapattoni's men beat Wales 3-0 while Northern Ireland were defeated by the same scoreline against Scotland.
The Carling Nations Cup encounter is viewed by some as little more than a friendly and neither side will be anything near full strength.
Trapattoni will be without the likes of Anthony Stokes, who has incurred the Italian's wrath after opting to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad due to tiredness.
Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington, meanwhile, will be without several of his more recognised senior players and has been forced to give youth a chance, although defender Gareth McAuley will wear the captain's armband.
And Worthington is braced for a low turnout as Northern Ireland supporters are threatening to boycott the match because of travel arrangements put in place by the IFA, whereby they can only obtain tickets to the game if they travel there on approved coaches.
Republic of Ireland: S Given, P McShane, D Delaney, S Kelly, M Wilson, L Lawrence or S Coleman, K Andrews, K Foley or K Fahey, K Treacy, R Keane, S Cox.
Northern Ireland: A Blayney, A Thompson, C Cathcart, G McAuley, L Hodson, J Carson, S Clingan, S Davis, J Gorman, W Feeney, J McQuoid.

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