Giovanni Trapatonni has spent his first night in County Clare as part of the FAI’s festival of football and ahead of this afternoon squad announcement to face Croatia.
The Republic of Ireland manager will give a press conference in Ennistymon this afternoon to announce the team for the friendly along with his assistant manager Marco Tardelli.
Trapatonni arrived in Ennis last night and was guest of honour at a Civic reception hosted by Clare County Council and Ennis Town Council – where presentations were made to the accomplished soccer manager and former AC Milan star – described as a "celebrity all over the world".
Afterwards Giovanni Trapatonni spoke exclusively to Clare FM and offered some words of advice to budding young soccer stars in Clare.
Also present at last night’s civic reception in Ennis was former Ireland soccer international Ray Houghton who was praised for his unforgettable goals during Ireland’s glory days of soccer.
Asked whether Irish soccer will return to such good times again, Houghton expressed confidence and told Clare FM that things are moving in the right direction
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