FAI expect All-Ireland clash to survive launch fiasco

The FAI expect a new ‘All-Ireland’ clash between the champions of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to go ahead – even though the announcement caught clubs on both sides of the border by surprise.

Competitions Director Fran Gavin used the launch of the 2019 League of Ireland season to announce the “creation of a new competition” featuring the league winners.

He later said that a sponsor had been sourced with the details becoming public at the beginning of March, with November 8 and November 12 pencilled into the diary as provisional dates for the twolegged affair.

Gavin also refused to rule out the expansion of the competition in the future, hinting at a replacement for the ill-fated Setanta Cup.

However, the FAI were duly left red faced by a statement from the Northern Irish Football League (NIFL) which said they were aware of talks but were not expecting a firm announcement.

“We look forward to consultation and receiving further detail regarding this opportunity, which we will consider with our member clubs,” said the NIFL, who are a separate entity to the IFA.

The IFA admitted discussions with the FAI had been ongoing, and welcomed exploration of the idea – but stressed nothing was confirmed.

FAI sources insist that the IFA knew Gavin was going to speak about the competition. Abbotstown chiefs expect the plan to get the go ahead.

However, it’s understood that leading League of Ireland clubs were also surprised by news that could complicate their end of season plans.