SUNDERLAND will kick off their pre-season preparations in Ireland after agreeing to play a Munster XI at Thomond Park in Limerick in aid of the Shane Geoghegan Trust.

The Black Cats will travel to the principal city of County Limerick on Tuesday, July 13 (ko 7.45pm), taking on a specially selected team to raise funds for the charity which was launched by Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn in October 2009.

The game will be the first of the club’s preparations for the 2010-11 Premier League season, with a number of additional fixtures to be announced shortly.

The Trust was set up following the death of Limerick man Shane Geoghegan in 2008. Operating in a similar way to the SAFC Foundation, the Trust enhances the lives of young people in Ireland, raising aspirations through a variety of initiatives.

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn said: "We're really looking forward to travelling to Limerick.

"The SAFC Foundation, the club's official charity, has already been over to assist the Trust as it rolls out programmes that will help young people to make better life choices and to have enhanced aspirations in the area that Shane lived.

"We're now bringing the team over to support the ongoing work that the Shane Goeghegan Trust so valuably carries out.

"All funds from the night will go to this marvellous initiative and we hope to continue supporting it for a long time."

Owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union and with a rich history of hosting teams including Munster Rugby, Thomond Park has undergone significant redevelopment in recent years and now dominates its part of the Limerick skyline with signature roof arches.

The ground held two Republic of Ireland international friendlies last year, with the home side losing 3-0 to Australia and defeating this year's World Cup hosts South Africa 1-0.

Ticket details for the fixture will be announced in due course.

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