GAA refuses to save Ahern blushes

THE GAA last night rebuffed a request by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to help rescue the Irish-Scottish bid for the 2008 European soccer championships.

The hard-hitting response from GAA president Seán McCague compounded Mr Ahern's embarrassment as he was forced to scrap Government investment in the planned National Stadium. The announcement came just six days ahead of the inspection by officials from the European soccer authority, UEFA, leaving a very confused situation on efforts to provide two grounds in Ireland for the joint bid.

A final choice from eight high-powered bids is to be made by UEFA in December.