Our national pride is at stake

TIME is running out for the joint bid from the Scottish-Irish football associations to co-host the European Championships in 2008, a bid which, at this stage, has all the hallmarks of being successful.

It could probably be copper-fastened by a gesture from the GAA leadership, one that would cost them absolutely nothing and commit them to nothing.

What the Government has asked them to do is merely indicate they are prepared to make a positive recommendation to their annual congress that Croke Park would be available for just four soccer matches during the 2008 championships.