Reserve teams from Manchester United and Chelsea will be among the star attractions of English Premier and Football League teams visiting Ireland as part of pre-season tours.
Asia and the US remain the main attraction for the marquee players but the close proximity and loyal fan base in Ireland still makes it an attractive option for clubs, and a potential money spinner for the teams hosting them.
Man United will play against Longford Town on July 23rd and against Cork City at Turners Cross two days later.
A Chelsea XI will play Dundalk FC on Tuesday, August 14th while Liverpool and Blackburn sides will take on Bray Wanderers and Cork City two days before.
The head of Volkswagen in Ireland is a former director of Scunthorpe United and they are sponsoring a tour by the club taking in games at Bray Wanderers and Wayside Celtic while Wolves will also be coming as well as Watford with new manager Gianfranco Zola.
There was no reference in the list of approved pre season friendlies for a renewal of the Dublin Super Cup that brought Man City, Inter Milan and Celtic to the Aviva Stadium 12 months ago.  Endemol pulled out of this earlier in the year though it was hoped a tournament could be continued with.
Recent main stories on Sport for Business

Find out more about how Sport for Business can be of benefit to you
Subscribe today for the free Sport for Business daily news digest