The FAI have announced that the Republic of Ireland men’s senior team will set up a pre-Euro 2016 training camp at the Fota Island Resort.
The Co. Cork facility will provide Martin O’Neill and his squad with the ideal setting to prepare for the European Championships in France this summer. Management, playing squad and backroom staff will be based at Fota for a five-day build-up to UEFA Euro 2016, from Monday, May 30 and running through to Friday, June 3.
Announcing the news today, Ireland manager Martin O’Neill said that he had visited Fota Island Resort with assistant manager Roy Keane last year, and had been impressed with the sporting facilities on site. “I’ve been to a number of potential sites in Ireland and overseas, and we’ve decided on Fota Island Resort because it offers everything we need right here on our doorstep,” said O’Neill.
“I visited Fota Island Resort recently, with Roy Keane, and I know that it has a good pedigree as a base for sporting teams and, in particular, football squads. The players will be in France for what will be a long enough period, so it’s good to keep them closer to home for the build-up to such a huge competition, and in a familiar environment.”
Fota Island Resort has played host to a number of leading teams in the past, including senior and academy sides from Liverpool, Manchester United and West Ham United, as well as some of Ireland's underage international squads, and FAI Coach Education courses have also been held there.
Fota Island also has three golf courses which will help the players relax in any down time. The resort has hosted the Irish Open on three occasions, most recently in 2014.
The Irish squad will be based in Versailles when the arrive in France and will be based outside Paris for the duration of the tournament.
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