Ireland's days in the sun - November 17, 2000
The Republic of Ireland senior team will spend five days soaking up the Mediterranean sun next spring - but it's all part of the job of qualifying for World Cup 2002!
Ireland are due to meet Cyprus and Andorra away in crucial Group 2 qualifiers within four days next March - and that would mean adjusting from the cold and wet of the north Atlantic to the "scorchio" climate of the east Med.
It's expected to reach a baking 30 degrees in Cyprus when Ireland play there on March 24 - and the FAI have decided to stump up for five days of acclimatisation before the game.
Normally Irish squads assemble and train in Ireland before jetting out to away games 48 hours ahead of kick-off.
But an FAI spokesman said: "The team and the manager have left themselves in a very strong position after the draws in Holland and Portugal.
"It would be silly to put such a great start at risk by failing to get everything right before playing in the heat of Cyprus."