Ireland will be based in Gdynia in Poland for Euro 2012, the Football Association today confirmed
Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli visited Poland this week to sign off on the base camp for the finals.
Gdynia is located in the Pomeranian region of Poland and is part of a metropolitan area around the city of Gdansk, known as Tricity. The team will be located at the Sheraton Sopot Hotel.
Trapattoni said: "I am very happy that we have been able to secure Gdynia as a base camp for Euro 2012. This base meets and exceeds all of our criteria, having a good training ground, being close to the airport and being based in Poland.
"The hotel and training facilities are excellent and provide us with a well-positioned base with all of the facilities required for the championships."
The Irish team will train at the Municipal Stadium in Gdynia, a new ground with a capacity of 15,000.
Ireland's first match will see them transfer to the Municipal Stadium in Poznan to face Croatia on 10 June.
Ireland will then play Spain in the Gdansk Arena on 14 June and in the final Group C match, Ireland will take on Italy in Poznan on 18 June.
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has won the Philips Manager of the Year award after guiding the national side to their first major championship finals in 10 years.
The Italian was in competition with Dublin football manager Pat Gilroy, who led the capital side to their first All-Ireland title in 16 years, Brian Cody, who lifted the Liam McCarthy trophy with Kilkenny, and Leinster's Heineken Cup-winning coach Joe Schmidt.
But the award, which was announced at a ceremony in the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin on Wednesday afternoon, was given to the 72-year-old in recognition of his achievement of guiding the 'Boys In Green' to second place in Group B and the subsequent 5-1 aggregate win over Estonia in the play-offs.
The last time the award went to an international football manager was in 2001 when Mick McCarthy brought Ireland to the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan/Korea.
The FAI has agreed a new two-year contract with Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni and his assistant Marco Tardelli.
The new deal was announced in a statement today. It will begin in July 2012 and continue for the duration of the World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign. Fitness trainer Fausto Rossi will also continue in his role.
Trapattoni has secured his new contract on the back of Ireland's successful qualification for Euro 2012.
Commenting via an official FAI statement, the 72-year-old said: "I am very happy to continue my job with the FAI. I have always said that Marco and I believe very strongly in the work that we are doing to grow and develop the Irish team.
"It is a huge honour and a privilege to represent the Irish team and we look forward to continuing this important task."
FAI chief executive John Delaney said: "On behalf of the FAI Board of management, we are very happy to agree a contract extension with Giovanni Trapattoni and his team of Marco Tardelli and Fausto Rossi.
"They have done fantastic work with the squad, bringing us to qualification for a major tournament for the first time in ten years, increasing our world ranking to 21st and introducing many new players for the future.
"Giovanni's experience, professionalism and achievement in qualifying for EURO 2012 has impressed everyone including the players and the FAI Board."
Commenting on O'Brien's financial support, Delaney added: "The FAI Board of Management are particularly grateful to Denis O'Brien for his continuing contribution which gives the Irish team and supporters the benefit of Giovanni's services into the next World Cup campaign."
O'Brien also commented on the deal. He said: "Giovanni Trapattoni has done a tremendous job in bringing Ireland to qualification for the Euros for the first time since 1988.
"His professionalism, experience and close working relationship with the players has developed a squad which has grown in self-belief and determination.
"The squad is showing plenty of potential for further improvement during the coming campaign. I am delighted to continue my partnership with the FAI, Giovanni Trapattoni and the Irish squad."
FAI President Paddy McCaul said: "I am delighted that we have been able to retain the services of Giovanni Trapattoni. He brings a wealth of experience and a great working relationship with the FAI and the players.
"The fact that we have gone into the last two campaigns as third seeds and have finished second in both, as well as being seeded for the play-offs in EURO campaign, speaks volumes about his ability to deliver.
"I would like to congratulate Giovanni, Marco and Fausto on this renewed appointment"
Ireland are in the fourth group of seeds for the Euro 2012 finals draw, UEFA confirmed today.
Giovanni Trapattoni's 'Boys In Green', who completed a 5-1 aggregate play-off win against Estonia last night, have been drawn alongside Denmark, France and Czech Republic in Pot 4.
Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland and Ukraine, who have already been allocated to groups A and D respectively, are in the top group of seeds alongside reigning world and European champions Spain and 2010 World Cup finalists the Netherlands.
England have been allocated a spot in the second pot alongside Euro 2008 runners-up Germany, 2006 world champions Italy and Russia.
Pot 3 contains shock Euro 2004 winners Greece, Croatia, Portugal and Sweden.
The pots have been decided on the countries' UEFA coefficient rankings, except for the co-hosts.
The draw for the finals, which will be broadcast live on RTÉ Television and RTÉ.ie, will be made in Kiev on 2 December.
Seedings for Euro 2012
Pot 1: Spain, Netherlands, Poland*, Ukraine*.
Pot 2: Germany, Italy, England, Russia.
Pot 3: Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Sweden.
Pot 4: Denmark, France, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland.
* Poland already allocated to Group A, Ukraine already allocated to Group D.
John O'Shea and Kevin Doyle are back in the Ireland team for tomorrow night's Euro 2012 play-off second leg against Estonia in Lansdowne Road.
Stephen Kelly at right back and Jon Walters in attack are the players that make way for the returning duo.
O'Shea comes back into the side following a hamstring injury, while Doyle returns from suspension to partner Robbie Keane in the Irish attack.
In a third change to the starting team from the first-leg encounter in Tallinn, Stephen Hunt takes Aiden McGeady's place on the wing, but Giovanni Trapattoni has indicated that Spartak Moscow man McGeady will play the second half of the game.
The Irish management team also confirmed that LA Galaxy requested Keane return to the United States following Ireland's 4-0 away win in A. Le Coq Arena. However, the team's captain has chosen to remain in international camp for the second leg.
LA Galaxy play Houston Dynamo in the final of the MLS Cup on Sunday, which explains the California team's desire to get the Ireland international back to the States.
Ireland assistant boss Marco Tardelli has told Ireland's players they could be preparing for the most important games of their lives as they attempt to book a trip to the Euro 2012 finals in Poland & Ukraine next summer.
Ireland face Estonia in a two-legged play-off over the next seven days with a place at next summer's tournament at stake.
A World Cup winner himself, Tardelli knows exactly what kind of exposure that can give a player even beyond the honour of representing their country on the big stage.
He said: "It's the match of their life for many players. It's important to qualify because the players need a boost as well in terms of new contracts and visibility.
"The European Championships give the players good visibility and for some players, maybe it is the last chance to be seen around the world.
"It's important, and it is important also for the Irish people.
"If a player plays in the Championship and maybe he plays well at the European Championships, it's possible to sign a new contract or play in the Premier League or in another country.
"This is important. I don't know for other players, but for me, it was very important because I am very close to my country, and I think these players are very close to their country.
"I felt very emotional when I stood on the pitch during the national anthem. I don't know for other players, but I think it's the same thing."
Whatever else qualification would bring - and contract extensions for manager Giovanni Trapattoni, assistant Tardelli and the rest of the staff could depend on it - it would end a 10-year wait for Ireland.
Not since Mick McCarthy's side reached the 2002 World Cup finals in the Far East via a fiercely-contested play-off against Iran has the nation contested a major finals.
There have been close calls, and no closer that two years ago when only William Gallas' controversial strike with the help of Thierry Henry's infamous handball in Paris saw France squeeze past Ireland before hitting problems in South Africa.
Those memories remain painfully vivid for many of the players, but Tardelli insists they must be consigned to history.
Asked if the events of that night still hurt, he said: "No, it's finished. We must focus on Estonia because it's very important."
Ireland head into the play-offs as favourites, although Tardelli has warned it would be dangerous for the players to believe that.
He said: "I don't think so. When we knew the draw, we were very happy because we drew Estonia, but Estonia thought the same thing. After the draw, Estonia were very happy because they drew Ireland.
"We are not favourites. We have a 50% chance like Estonia. We are not favourites - if we think we are favourites, that is very dangerous."
While skipper Robbie Keane was a welcome sight on the training pitch at Malahide this morning, keeper Shay Given and key defender Richard Dunne were absent, along with midfielders Keith Andrews and Keith Fahey.
However, Given was having treatment for a stiff neck and back and Dunne and Fahey for minor knee problems while Andrews was simply rested, unlike unfortunate Millwall keeper David Forde, who has returned to his club with a thigh problem, with Motherwell's Darren Randolph taking his place.
Tardelli said: "Shay Given and Richard Dunne needed a rest.
"Richard has a little problem with his knee and also Shay Given has a little problem with his back, but I think it is possible for them to return tomorrow."
Skysports are reporting that Championship side Peterborough United have tabled a bid for Dundalk star Daniel Kearns.
The Belfast born Ireland U21 international has been earning rave reviews for the Airtricity Premier League outfit and a number of clubs have been keeping tabs on his progress
Championship outfit Peterborough have held a long-term interest in Kearns and they have now firmed up their interest with a six-figure offer for the exciting attacking midfielder.
Posh boss Darren Ferguson is a big fan of the former West Ham youngster and is hoping to win the race for the 19-year-old's services.
However, Peterborough could face competition for Kearns with Scottish giants Celtic showing an interest in the skilful attacker after he impressed against Neil Lennon's side in the Dublin Super Cup last month.
Dundalk are thought to be considering Peterborough's offer with Kearns out of contract at the end of the Airtricity season in two months.
Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has hailed the great performances of replacements Shane Long and Keith Fahey as Ireland picked up a vital point last night in Slovakia.
Long was given his chance up front because of Kevin Doyle's knee injury, while Birmingham midfielder Fahey came in for his first competitive start after Liam Lawrence failed a late fitness test.
And both played their part in the 1-1 draw, with Fahey sending over the free-kick which resulted in Sean St Ledger giving the visitors the lead, while Reading forward Long was a constant menace to the Slovakia defence.
Trapattoni said: 'I thought Shane Long and Keith Fahey played great games. For the future we can have confidence in them knowing the options we have in the squad.
'We have time in the future, our next game is a friendly. I can maybe play one or two other young players and we can start the qualification again with more confidence.'
Last night's display capped a terrific international break for Long, who scored his first competitive goal in Friday's 3-2 defeat to Russia.
Trapattoni believes there is plenty the 23-year-old still has to learn about the tactical side of the game, but he is confident the raw ingredients are there.
'We thought about it in training because he's young,' Trapattoni added. 'We played a tactical game in training.
'He can show us pace but he is still young to master the tactical side of the game. He has technical quality and in the future he will understand.'
Group B looks set to be one of the tightest groups in the whole competition, with Russia now two points ahead of Ireland, Slovakia and Armenia courtesy of their lucky 1-0 victory in Macedonia.
Defeat to Slovakia would have left The Boys In Green with a major uphill battle but Trapattoni believes the reverse fixtures next year, when they play away in Russia then at home to Slovakia, are likely to prove decisive in sorting the final standings in the group..
'We have again this combination of games,' he said. 'Our group is very balanced. Russia won but only 1-0 and Macedonia missed a penalty.
'There are many situations that can happen. It's not about today or tomorrow, there are many games. It's important we believe in our performance, our attitude and our system.'
Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss agreed, adding: 'The group is very even and Ireland, Armenia and Russia all have great teams so it all depends on the next games.'
SSN are reporting that West Ham have now entered the race to sign Portsmouth captain Marc Wilson.
The 23-year-old Irish international defender is subject to interest from a number of top-flight sides, with West Brom having already had a £3million bid turned down.
Fulham are also keen, while Stoke are thought to be lining up a player-plus-cash deal for the defender - with Dave Kitson and Liam Lawrence discussing moves in the opposite direction - estimated to be worth around £3.5m.
But Avram Grant's West Ham have now also made an approach, as they are eager to shore up a leaky defence which has already conceded six goals in their opening two Premier League defeats.
Pompey boss Steve Cotterill previously admitting he would be powerless to prevent the County Antrim born defender from leaving Fratton Park if the club receive the right offer
In a decision sure to prompt anger in many European countries, European football’s governing body UEFA has confirmed that not only will the play-offs for the 2012 European Championships be seeded — but the seeded teams will then be guaranteed home advantage in the second leg.
The Irish Examiner has learned that FAI chief executive John Delaney has already written to UEFA to express his concern about the plan. While opposed in principle to the seeding of the play-offs, the FAI boss is understood to be especially concerned about the decision to give home advantage to the seeded team in the return leg.
With the dust on Ireland’s controversial defeat to France in the World Cup play-off still settling, the UEFA initiative will be widely interpreted as further evidence that, far from promoting concepts of fair play, football’s international authorities appear determined to load the dice in favour of the game’s big powers.
The FAI and Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni were dismayed when FIFA belatedly announced that the draw for the recent World Cup play-offs would be seeded, the decision from Zurich only confirmed in late September when it became clear that European football superpowers such as Portugal and France were unlikely to progress automatically to the cup finals in South Africa.
Then, in what was regarded by Trapattoni as a further obstacle to his team’s chances of progressing, the bad luck of the draw gave the French home advantage in the second leg — although, as things turned out in the Stade de France last Wednesday, it ultimately took a travesty of justice to ensure the home side’s progress.
But, for the play-offs for the Euro finals in Poland and Ukraine in 2012, the home and away factor will not even be left to chance, with UEFA yesterday confirming that the seeded teams will automatically get to play the return match at home.
In response to an inquiry from this newspaper, a UEFA spokesperson referenced article 7.07 of the governing body’s regulations for the 2012 European Championship. After stating that the eight runners-up in qualifying will contest play-off matches, Article 7.07 — with the devil, as ever, in the detail — continues: "The four ties are determined by means of a draw. The four runners-up with the best position in the UEFA national team coefficient ranking system are seeded for the draw. The play-offs are played according to the knockout system, with each team playing each opponent twice, in home and away matches. The seeded teams play the return match at home. The teams which score the greater aggregate of goals in the two matches qualify for the final tournament."
Perhaps the only small consolation is that, at least this time, the FAI, in common with all the other European associations, have been appraised of the play-off rules well before their national teams even start out on the long road to Poland and Ukraine.
Giovanni Trapattoni also knows that his team already faces an uphill task before the qualifying draw takes place in February, with UEFA having confirmed last week that Ireland will be third seeds when the balls go into the pots in Warsaw, alongside Northern Ireland, Scotland, Israel, Bulgaria, Finland, Norway, Austria and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The UEFA coefficients which determined these seedings are based on a complicated system involving performances in the 2006 World Cup finals and preceding qualifying campaign, Euro 2008 and its qualifying campaign and 2010 World Cup qualifying. But, although UEFA say that "more recent results are given greater consideration", Ireland’s unbeaten run in the regulation World Cup qualifying campaign was still evidently not enough to get them a place as second seeds alongside the likes of Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden and Turkey — all of whom failed to even make the play-offs.
The qualifying campaign for Euro 2012 will comprise six groups of six teams and three groups of five. The nine winners and best runner-up will qualify directly for the finals, with eight remaining runners-up contesting the play-offs. As co-hosts, Poland and Ukraine qualify automatically.
The draw takes place in Warsaw on February 7.
Ireland have been forced to admit defeat in their efforts to be granted a replay of their World Cup play-off clash with France.
Having seen FIFA reject their appeals to have the second leg of the tie replayed because of Thierry Henry's handball in the run-up to William Gallas' decisive goal, the Football Association of Ireland, backed by both French skipper Henry and Ireland captain Robbie Keane, had turned to the French Football Federation.
However, the FFF have ruled out the possibility, and France will now take their place in next summer's finals in South Africa while Ireland will remain at home, the victims of what they believe has been a gross miscarriage of justice.FAI chief executive John Delaney said today: 'We regret that despite our best efforts for a replay, which would have restored the integrity of the game in front of a world-wide audience, our calls appear to have fallen on deaf ears at the French Football Federation.
'Without doubt, the credibility of fair play has been damaged by this incident in front of a worldwide audience.
'Despite our deep disappointment, we thank our players, the wonderful Irish fans and the Irish public at large for their support, as well as the solidarity of the French people.
'We will continue to call on FIFA to take action to ensure that such damaging examples of cheating are not allowed to recur
Ireland captain Robbie Keane has urged the team to become national heroes by beating France in the World Cup play-off.
Giovanni Trapattoni's side host France at Croke Park on Saturday before Wednesday's return leg in Paris.
"If you look on paper, they have got world-class players all over the pitch," said Keane.
"But the one thing we do have is desire and commitment, and a team that's desperate to do well."
Keane believes qualifying for the finals at the expense of such a star-studded team would be remembered forever as Ireland's greatest achievement.
French manager Raymond Domenech can call upon a collection of global stars such as Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka and William Gallas.
However, Keane's believes Ireland's sheer bloody-minded determination can earn Trapattoni's men a place in next year's finals in South Africa.
"There are players who have never been in this situation before, players who play in the Championship who may never have the opportunity they have now," added Keane.
"They are fortunate enough to be able to leave players like Patrick Vieira out of the squad.
"We just can't do that, that's the gulf between the two nations."
Trapattoni also called on his troops to raise their game from the battling display in last month's 2-2 draw against Italy at Croke Park.
"We need the same spirit, we need the same performance, we need the attitude we have had in the games throughout qualification - but we have to add some more," added the Republic boss.
"Every player must in these 180 minutes add something more to his performance.
"We must avoid nervousness. These are important games and, in important games, in my experience, some players can lose their cool.
"They have to keep their heads and play as we have done until now and, with this mentality, we can play on an equal footing with France."
Trapattoni was in relaxed mood as he conducted his pre-match press conference in a packed suite at the Grand Hotel in Malahide.
He opened by enquiring, with a smile, where the French journalists were in the room and, after a show of hands, said apologetically: "I don't speak French," before adding: "I don't speak also English."
But, despite his humour, his resolve was clear as he contemplated the task ahead of his players.
Shay Given will captain Ireland in Wednesday night's final World Cup qualifier against Montenegro as he wins his 100th senior international cap.
Manager Giovanni Trapattoni has handed the 33-year-old Donegal man the captain's armband as he and full-back Kevin Kilbane each complete a century to leave themselves only two adrift of Steve Staunton, Ireland's most-capped player.
The Manchester City keeper takes over from Robbie Keane, who may play only 45 minutes at Croke Park as Trapattoni attempts to keep his players fresh for next month's play-off.
Given goes into the game knowing he must avoid a second caution of the qualifying campaign if he is to make himself available for the first match of the play-off.
Midfielders Keith Andrews and Aiden McGeady are likely to be rested for just that reason, while striker Leon Best is also on a yellow card.
