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Ireland Under-21s line up three friendlies in Marbella

The games also coincide with the mid-season break in the League of Ireland
The games also coincide with the mid-season break in the League of Ireland

Republic of Ireland Under-21s will take on their Swiss counterparts, Australia's Olympic football team and Denmark Under-21s in a series of friendlies in Marbella.

Ireland will travel to Spain on 27 May and face Switzerland on 30 May.

They then take on Australia on 2 June before ending the series of games with an evening fixture against Denmark on 5 June.

The three-game international window forms part of manager Jim Crawford’s preparations for the European Under-21 Championship qualifiers which begin for the Boys in Green in September against Bosnia & Herzegovina on 3 September.

Crawford said: "We were determined to get a number of games in the June international window for the players to have the best possible preparation for our qualifiers.

"It is excellent news that this has been confirmed, all three teams present exciting and challenging opposition to our team, and myself and the staff can’t wait to get back with the players to test ourselves against this standard of opposition."

Crawford has spoken previously about the importance of having a run of games in the summer international window to build squad cohesion.

He added: "I saw how the Toulon Tournament in 2019 gave a lot of the players involved in the Under-21s a platform for their club form and the confidence to go play at this level.

"Having these games in Marbella gives us an opportunity to give a talented group match minutes and a chance to come together over 10 days, work hard, work on our style of play and get ready for September."

Fixtures:

  • Switzerland v Republic of Ireland, 30 May, KO 11:00, Dama de Noche Football Centre, Marbella, Spain
  • Australia v Republic of Ireland, 2 June, KO 12:00, Marbella Football Centre, Marbella, Spain
  • Republic of Ireland v Denmark, 5 June, KO 17:00, Dama de Noche Football Centre, Marbella, Spain

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