Hamilton: Time is right for an All-Ireland team

Former Ipswich and Northern Ireland forward Bryan Hamilton is adamant that a united Irish team could only be of benefit to the game on this island.

It comes 35 years after an All-Ireland soccer side took on Brazil in Lansdowne Road.

Hamilton - who managed Northern Ireland for four years in the mid-nineties - was reflecting on the 1973 friendly between Brazil and a Shamrock Rovers XI comprised of distinguished players from both sides of the border, notably Johnny Giles and Pat Jennings.

The Brazilians shaded the game 4-3 but the impact and positivity of the occasion has had a lasting impact on Hamilton, who believes the time is right for the IFA and FAI to put past differences aside.