Ireland are in Murcia, Spain, to take on Grenada in a friendly, with Heimir Hallgrímsson set to hand appearances to several uncapped players.
Heimir Hallgrímsson with Chiedozie Ogbene and Adam Idah(Image: INPHO/Ryan Byrne)
It’s a far cry from Prague, but a noisy group of Ireland fans are making themselves heard in the Spanish city of Murcia ahead of Saturday evening’s friendly against Grenada.
Estimates of the number of supporters attending the game range from 800 to 1,500.
That’s a far cry from the thousands that made it to the World Cup play-off between Czechia and Ireland, which ended in a heart-breaking penalty shootout defeat.
But those who have travelled have been doing their best to get an atmosphere going in this sleepy city.
Heimir Hallgrímsson has called up nine uncapped players, with former Under-21 international Will Ferry the most recent arrival, after Dundee United allowed him to travel.
While it’s a game that lacks the prestige of a World Cup play-off, there are still plenty of intriguing plots and sub-plots to keep people engaged.
Here are some of the main details ahead of the game…
What time is kick-off?
The game has a 6pm kick-off local time, so that’s 5pm Irish.
Where can I watch it?
If you aren’t in Murcia, then the RTÉ Player is your only option. The broadcaster might have had 40-plus members of staff in Prague for the play-off, but this one won’t be on your telly.
Where is the game being played?
The venue is the Estadio Nueva Condomina, Murcia
Has the team been named?
Yes, but with one caveat. Heimir Hallgrímsson is waiting on the fitness of Brighton defender Erin Cashin, who missed Tuesday’s behind-closed-doors game with Real Murcia’s B team.
Max O’Leary; Dara O’Shea (captain), Mark McGuinness, Erin Cashin; James Abankwah, Jayson Molumby, Conor Coventry, Tayo Adaramola; Chiedozie Ogbene, Jack Moylan; Adam Idah.
Who’s in charge?
Seth Galia of Gibraltar will referee this one.
Who are the uncapped players?
Goalkeepers Josh Keeley (Luton Town) and Killian Cahill (Leyton Orient), defenders Erin Cashin (Brighton), Tayo Adaramola (Crystal Palace) and Will Ferry (Dundee United), midfielder Rory Finneran (Newcastle), and forwards Jack Moylan (Lincoln City), Millenic Alli (Portsmouth) and Aidomo Emakhu (Oxford United).
Two more uncapped players were named in the original squad, but Jaden Umeh (Benfica) and Joel Bagan (Cardiff City) had to withdraw.
What’s our head-to-head record like?
This is the first-ever meeting between Ireland and Grenada.
So, how have Grenada done against European teams?
This is just the fourth time Grenada have faced a European nation. Their previous results include a draw with Gibraltar and narrow losses to Norway and Andorra.
Anything else to look out for?
If Rory Finneran debuts at 18 years and 77 days, he will become Ireland’s seventh-youngest player ever and the youngest debutant since Evan Ferguson in November 2022.