Ireland hosting Switzerland was never going to be the most attractive of friendlies to supporters, unless Ireland defeat Bosnia and Herzegovina in their play-off and Euro 2016 fever begins to take hold.
Even then, neither side is known for their attacking football but the FAI may have found a fail-safe in the chosen date for the game, March 25th, or Good Friday.
The Aviva Stadium has an exemption to sell alcohol on the holy day for sporting events, a fact which may make thirsty fans much keener to make the trip.
The news may mean publicans may seek to replicate a 2010 court ruling which allowed Limerick pubs to open on Good Friday for a Munster-Leinster clash in Thomond Park.
An Irish Examiner report from the time noted that: “In his ruling, Judge Tom O’Donnell said it would be absurd to have drink available in Thomond Park while local pubs would be closed.”