Unusually for international friendlies, there's a genuine feeling of anticipation for Ireland's games against Switzerland on Good Friday and Slovakia next Tuesday.
Of course, that has much to do with our qualification for Euro 2016 and the chance which the games provide to see some of the fringe players such as Harry Arter and Alan Judge.
Not everybody is a fan of this international break. Included in that category is Sam Allardyce. After Sunderland's 1-1 Tyne-Wear derby draw with Newcastle on Sunday, Big Sam decried the scheudling of the friendly games.
We have got another goddamn two weeks to wait before we play again. We had a long wait to play this one when I wanted a game next week. Now we have got another goddamn two weeks for football associations to make money with stupid bloody friendlies.
With Sunderland on a run of one loss in six games, Allardyce would obviously prefer to keep what little momentum his side has right now going as they attempt to drag themselves out of the relegation
The international break means their next game is not until April 2nd against West Brom.
Picture credit: Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE
