Ballots were applied for, flights and ferries were booked, and days off work were claimed as Irish fans scrambled to get their trip to France for Euro 2016 sorted, but Martin O'Neill and the FAI have also been planning ahead for next summer.
Basecamps for the Irish squad will always bring up memories of Saipan, as an example of how badly wrong they can go, so you would hope that greater care would be taken with the logistics ever since that troublesome time.
It seems that extra care is indeed being taken, as the FAI have presented O'Neill and his team with a number of options, and the Republic of Ireland manager was in good form when asked about how the planning was going:
I've been happy with the work the (FAI) staff have put in France. They've done great work on our behalf and making some choices at the end was actually quite simple. We're hoping to be able to nail down something in the foreseeable future but I'm more than happy with the work they've done.
Even Roy is happy with the facilities so that's a major plus. But no bibs are allowed. Absolutely no bibs!
Well played.
According to Independent.ie it was Versailles that O'Neill and Keane inspected last weekend, and they liked what they saw, so there is a chance that a deal will be agreed soon.
Regardless, it's great to see O'Neill in such good humour ahead of the tournament.
Roll on 2016.
via Independent.ie
