The first match is scheduled for Dublin at Home Farm FC pitch (Whitehall, Dublin 9) on May 29 2010, 3pm kick-off with the return leg taking place in Slovakia on September 11. The winners will qualify for the European deaf football championships in Denmark June 2011.

The stakes are high for the Irish lads who are widely regarded as one of the best deaf footballing sides in the world. Indeed Ireland impressed at the previous European finals in Portugal 2007, high profile victories were recorded against Russia, Ukraine, Belgium and Germany before having to settle for a 3rd place finish following a somewhat unlucky 3-1 defeat to Great Britain. Slovakia however will provide a stern test having narrowly lost to eventual tournament winners France in qualifying for the 2007 championships and have continued to progress.

Ireland Deaf Men's football director Sean Herlihy is looking forward to the contest, 'The lads have been working hard in anticipation of the game. It's a vital match but hopefully we can give our best performance on the day and fingers crossed that will be good enough to see us through'.

The Irish squad has a useful blend of seasoned campaigners mixed with exciting youngsters. Captain Darren Dunne plays for Arsenal Deaf FC whilst players like record goalscorer Joseph Watson, Richard Dougherty and Roy McKee have all played at the top tier of league of Ireland/Irish league football. Flying winger Andrew Wynne will also have a big part to play against Slovakia whilst teenagers Kevin Dudley and Jason Maguire are exciting up and coming prospects in what is a strong squad with fierce competition for places.

Republic of Ireland Squad:

1. Darren Dunne (Arsenal DFC, London, UK)
2. Kevin Dudley (Bohemian FC, Dublin)
3. Andrew Wynne (Valley Park United, Dublin)
4. Patrick Maher (St Vincents DFC, Dublin)
5. Damien McMahon (St Vincents DFC,Dublin)
6. Eamon Byrne (Freebooters FC, Kilkenny)
7. Roy Keating (St Vincents DFC, Dublin)
8. Colm Keogh (Lorcan Celtic F.C, Dublin)
9. Eoin Burns (Fulham DFC, London, UK)
10. Jason Maguire (St Vincents DFC, Dublin)
11. Christopher Corcoran (Leeds F.C, Cork)
12. Michael Walsh (Dungarvan United F.C, Waterford)
13. Joseph Watson (Tranmore F.C, Waterford)
14. Paul O Callaghan (St Vincents DFC, Dublin)
15. Jonathan Cosgrave (Knockainey FC, Limerick)
16. Ryan Lewis (Everton DFC, Liverpool, UK)
17. Mark Sinclair (Doncaster DFC, East Midlands, UK)
18. Bryan Moore (Fulham DFC, London, UK)
19. Noel O'Donnell (Belfast Deaf United FC, Belfast)
20. Richard Dougherty (Belfast Deaf United FC, Belfast)
21. Roy McKee (Belfast Deaf United FC, Belfast)
22. Richard Beattie (Belfast Deaf United FC, Belfast)
23. Stephen Millar (Glasgow AFC, Glasgow, Scotland)