JOINT BID FOR FINALS

THE IFA and FAI are expected to launch a joint bid to host the U21 European Championships in Ireland.

Ireland has never hosted a major tournament before, but the U17 Euros will be played in the south next year.

A “special announcement” will be made at a midday press conference at Windsor Park in Belfast tomorrow.

Neither country has ever qualified for the U21 finals but both would do so automatically as co-hosts.

A 2021 tournament in Ireland would coincide with the FAI’S centenary anniversary.

Italy is hosting the U21 Euros next summer but the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland both failed to qualify.