It will be another intriguing friendly clash for Martin O’Neill’s men.
Ireland’s first game after the disappointment of missing out on a place in next summer’s World Cup will be a friendly against Turkey.
O’Neill’s side will travel to Antalya to face Mircea Lucescu’s team on Friday, March 23.
The announcement comes a week after the FAI confirmed a friendly against France in Paris on May 28.
BREAKING: Ireland 🇮🇪 will travel to Antalya to face Turkey 🇹🇷 in March. #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/VwSaXeEg8P
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) December 21, 2017
The squad will assemble in Dublin on March 18 before departing the following day. It will be the first time Ireland have played in Turkey since the heartbreak of losing to them in the Euro 2000 play-offs. Turkey recorded their first ever win over Ireland when the countries last met in May 2014, with a 2-1 victory at the Aviva Stadium.
It should be an interesting 2018 for international football with the launch of the UEFA Nations League in September, the draw for which will take place on January 24.
