Ireland’s final game of their Women's European Championship qualifiers in July may have to be moved out of Dublin due to stadium restrictions.
Tuesday’s draw in Nyon pitted Ireland into the group of death against the sides ranked third (France), fourth (England) and fifth (Sweden) in the FIFA standings, statistically the best on the planet bar world champions Spain and their predecessors USA.
While the first-ever women’s qualifier to be staged at Aviva Stadium comes against England on Tuesday, April 9 and they’ll return for the visit of Sweden on Friday, May 31, the national stadium is unavailable in July.
The lockout, due to pitch maintenance following a run of concerts, also prevented Ireland facing the French last July in their farewell friendly before the World Cup in Australia.
Tallaght, recently expanded to a 10,000-capacity with the construction of a fourth stand, would be the fallback venue but July 16 clashes with Shamrock Rovers’ involvement in the first round of the Champions League.
As the Hoops won’t know until the draw in June whether their home leg is that week, and the FAI plan to release their season ticket next week, decision time is scarce.
The only potential tweak to facilitate Tallaght is Uefa delaying the Rovers fixture to Thursday, July 18 but they could go up against the European games of either St Patrick’s Athletic or Shelbourne, surely provoking one of Damien Duff’s trademark barbs against the governing body.
Alternatively, the FAI could switch venue, with Cork’s Turner’s Cross – where the U21 team stages their qualifiers – a possibility.
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