Busy week for Friendlies
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In recent years, many English clubs have chosen Ireland as their pre-season tour destination and this summer is no different as the busy period of friendly fixtures for League of Ireland clubs continues this week.
These games provide Irish clubs with the chance to test themselves against top quality opposition while hopefully increasing gate receipts in this difficult financial period for many of our clubs.
Over the next five or so days, Man United, Watford, Bradford, Stevenage, MK Dons and Port Vale are all on Irish shores to continue their preparations for the new campaign which is fast approaching.
The action kicks off on Monday evening when the Man United Reserves begin their short stay on the Emerald Isle with a trip to Flancare Park to take on Longford Town at 7.30pm. The travelling party includes new signing Reece James who joined from Preston and striker Joshua King. United then travel down to Cork on Wednesday to face Tommy
Dunne’s City at Turner’s Cross.
St. James’ Gate continue their 150th year celebrations by welcoming MK Dons to the Iveagh Gardens on Monday evening. Former Celtic and Hibernian striker Derek Riordan is expected to feature while ex-Leeds and Man United midfielder Alan Smith is also part of a strong travelling squad. The League One side then take on Whitehall Rangers on Wednesday before facing Bohemians in a behind closed doors game on Thursday morning.
It’s a busy week for Cork City as they play two friendlies as well as welcome Shelbourne to Turner’s Cross in the league. Their first friendly in two days sees the Rebel Army take on Championship side Watford, under the new management of Gianfranco Zola.
Bradford City will continue their preparations for the upcoming season with two friendlies against Wexford Youths and Bray Wanderers this week. Phil Parkinson’s side face First Division Wexford on Tuesday evening before completing Bray Wanderers’ “Festival of Football” at the Carlisle Grounds on Saturday at 3pm.
UCD host Stevenage on Tuesday evening as the League One side conclude their brief time in Ireland. Gary Smith’s squad overcame St. James’ Gate at the weekend and the fixture at the Belfield Bowl is their final action in Ireland before they return home to finalise
preparations for their opening league game with Carlisle United.
League Two promotion hopefuls Port Vale face Athlone Town and a Galway XI in the coming days. The trip has become something of an annual event for Mickey Adams’ side as they have made Ballygar, which is about 30km from Athlone, their training base.
Meanwhile, life under new boss Stale Solbakken got off to an impressive start for Wolves as an excellent second half performance saw them run out 5-1 winners over Bray Wanderers on Saturday. The game concluded the Championship sides’ week long trip to Ireland.
Not to forget about the Irish clubs in European action this week as Shamrock Rovers, St. Pats and Sligo all look to progress in the Champions League and Europa League qualifying rounds. Domestic matters continue on Friday to wrap up a week of non-stop football.
Monday 23rd July
St. James’ Gate v MK Dons
Longford Town v Man United XI
Tuesday 24th July
Wexford Youths v Bradford City
UCD v Stevenage
Athlone Town v Port Vale
Cork City v Watford
Wednesday 25th July
Cork City v Man United XI
Saturday 28th July
Bray Wanderers v Bradford City
Galway XI v Port Vale
