A BID OF ALRIGHT
WINDSOR DERBY MEETING NOT BEING RULED OUT IFA and FAI confident a joint push for 2023 U21 Euro tournament will prove to be winner
JOHN DELANEY is confident the FAI and IFA will meet infrastructural demands head on to host the under21 Euros in 2023.
But the two federations won’t rule out asking the GAA for a helping hand to seal the deal – if it is needed.
“We wouldn’t enter this if we thought we couldn’t do it,” said Delaney at Windsor Park in Belfast yesterday. “We’ll meet the criteria.”
Some of the proposed venues will need UEFA dispensation to make the grade yet there should be a sufficient number to go it alone without the GAA.
But Delaney said: “The GAA have always been very cooperative with the FAI in all of their dealings.
“When we were building Aviva Stadium, they opened Croke Park.
“We had Pairc Ui Chaoimh recently for the Liam Miller memorial game. If both of us needed support from the GAA, we would course look to speak to them.”
If this joint bid is successful, the already-revamped Windsor Park will host the final.
Aviva Stadium, a redeveloped Dalymount Park, Ballymena Showgrounds, Tallaght Stadium and Turner’s Cross are among the other venues put forward. The IRFU has said Thomond Park in Limerick and Kingspan Stadium in Belfast could also be used.
UEFA stipulates that stadia must have A RETURN to Belfast could be on the cards for the Republic of Ireland.
IFA chief Patrick Nelson “sees no reason” why the Boys in Green could not end their 24-year absence from Windsor Park.
They last played there in 1994 under Jack Charlton, winning 4-0 in a Euro 96 qualifier. A year before that, Alan Mcloughlin’s of a minimum 8,000 capacity to games at under-21 finals level.
The new Dalymount will only be a 6,000-seater venue when it opens in 2023, while Turner’s Cross in Cork has a capacity of 7,365.
Tallaght Stadium’s recently completed third stand has brought capacity to 8,000 and Delaney is “very hopeful” a fourth stand will be completed in time.
UEFA has granted San Marino dispensation to co-host next summer’s under21 Euro finals with Italy even though their stadium falls below the 8,000 capacity mark.
The other five stadia being used in Italy have capacity of over 20,000 while last year’s under-21 finals in Poland used four grounds with over 15,000 and one of over goal in a 1-1 draw paved the way for World Cup 94 qualification.
The sides have met three times in Dublin since then and will clash again at Aviva Stadium on November 15.
But Nelson is refusing to rule out a game in Belfast. He said: “We haven’t had discussions but there is no reason why that should not happen at some time.” stage 20,000. Yesterday, IFA chief Patrick Nelson appeared to rule out the Brandywell in Derry because of its artificial pitch.
Dalymount’s new pitch will be ‘hybrid’ – a technical game-changer in UEFA’S eyes – and Delaney was bullish the Phibsborough venue will be central to the bid.
The FAI chief – who sits on UEFA’S executive committee – revealed the under-21 Euros is likely to be expanded from 12 to 16 teams.
Neither the Republic nor Northern Ireland have qualified for the under-21 finals but are set to if the bid is successful and the tournament is expanded.
Delaney said: “We’re at detailed discussions but there is nothing decided. We’re well able to host a 12-team or 16-team tournament for sure.”
While no West of Ireland venue was flagged yesterday, Delaney said nothing was set in stone as yet.
A submission to host the 2023 tournament won’t be lodged until next year and UEFA will make its decision in 2020. NOEL KING’S eight-year stint as Ireland under-21 boss is expected to come to an official end next week.
It is widely believed King won’t be kept on and FAI chief John Delaney has confirmed an announcement is imminent.
Quizzed on King, Delaney said: “We’ll deal with that next week but he’s the current manager, I’ll leave it at that. We’ll deal with it next week.”
Ian Baraclough – the former title winning
Sligo Rovers boss – has just signed a contract extension to remain on as Northern
Ireland under-21 manager. Delaney merely said: “Well done to the IFA. We’ll deal with that next week.”
He also declined to answer questions on Irish senior team manager Martin O’neill who has found himself under pressure of late.