Ireland v Senegal LIVE updates from the friendly match at the Aviva Stadium
Republic of Ireland welcome Senegal to the Aviva Stadium this evening in the first of two summer friendlies for Heimir Hallgrimsson's side.
Before the Boys in Green are released for their summer holidays, they are playing Senegal this evening ahead of trip to Luxembourg next Tuesday.
It is a final opportunity for Hallgrimsson to cast his eyes over his players before the start of the World Cup qualifiers in September.
Consecutive victories over Bulgaria in the Nations League in March gave Ireland some much-needed confidence and they will look to ride that momentum this evening.
The match is scheduled for a 7.45pm kick-off at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. And you can follow all the action right here on Irish Mirror Sport.
'It's a chance for us to grow, playing a team like this' Heimir Hallgrímsson gives his thoughts on tonight's clash ahead of kick-off at the Aviva pic.twitter.com/hD7Ycmfxt9
STARTING XI | Ireland v Senegal First starts in a green shirt for @LCFC winger Kasey McAteer and @IpswichTown midfielder Jack Taylor as Adam Idah starts up front Great to see Will Smallbone return to the starting line-up with kick-off at 7.45pm pic.twitter.com/R1SP0l7Oyg
Welcome to the Irish Mirror's live blog of Ireland's international friendly clash against Senegal from Aviva Stadium. Paul O'Hehir here with you for the evening, perched in our press box vantage point.This is the first of two June friendlies - Ireland are away to Luxembourg on Tuesday - that serve as preparation for the World Cup campaign that begins in September.It is the first time in 15 years that Ireland have played African opposition, with Senegal set to provide a tough test - but perhaps not quite as tough as expected? A number of their top stars are named on the bench, with a game against England to come next week. Senegal are 19th in the FIFA world rankings and are unbeaten in their last 20 games, and have one defeat in their last 30
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