Ireland's new away jersey will be launched in May

Ireland fans should not need any extra motivation to get themselves to the Aviva Stadium on Good Friday to watch Martin O'Neill's Euro 2016-bound men take on Switzerland.

The Boys In Green kick-start their Euro preparations with the first of two friendlies in four days against Vladimir Petković's side on March 25 followed by Slovakia on Tuesday, March 29.

And there is an added bonus for fans with confirmation that the Aviva bars will be open for business selling alcohol to the thousands in attendance. The Aviva will be licensed to sell alcohol because it is a friendly match and not governed by UEFA and bars will be open from 5.30.

Licensed Vintners’ Association have already called the Good Friday ban to be lifted.

“Every Good Friday we have tens of thousands of tourists wandering around Dublin asking why they can’t go into a pub for a drink,” said LVA chief executive Donall O’Keefe.

“Now we are going to have up to 50,000 soccer fans facing the same problem. Not to mention the tens of thousands who will want to watch the match in their local pub.”

Online Editors