Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Pat Bonner said today he is looking forward to the newly-sponsored Carling Nations Cup coming to the Aviva Stadium in Dublin in the new year, RTE reports.
The tournament involving the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will be played at Dublin's new Aviva Stadium, with each side having one fixture on Feb. 8-9 and then two per team in the week commencing Monday, May 23.
The biennial tournament will be played in the other competing nations in future years.
Bonner, who played in the 1990 and 1994 World Cup finals, said: “The Carling Nations Cup is going to be a fantastic new tournament for fans of the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and also gives our international teams a chance to compete against each other in a wonderful new stadium.”
The Donegal-born ex-Celtic star added: “There is always a special atmosphere when international teams from Ireland and Britain play against each other and now we don't have to rely on being drawn together in World Cup or European Championship qualifying groups. It's all very exciting.”
