IFA keen on Euro talks

The head of the North's soccer governing body is keen to have further talks with his Scottish counterparts over the prospect of helping them host the 2016 European Championships.

The Scottish Football Association is understood to favour a joint bid with Wales, as the North does not possess the stadia required to be co-hosts in a two-country bid.

And, despite his enthusiasm, Irish Football Association president Raymond Kennedy admits a radical overhaul of facilities in the province is needed.

Plans for a new national stadium to replace Windsor Park – the home of Linfield - have long been in the pipeline but no decision has yet been taken about the best way forward.

Kennedy said: “I would be delighted if we were part of any bid for a championship that would give us some games. But, frankly, I do not think we are in that position at the moment because we do not have any stadiums that are suitable.

“Hopefully things might change in that respect and we will have a new national stadium in about two years’ time.”

He added: “We are due to meet the Scots in other business in the new year and would be prepared to have more formal talks then about a possible bid for the championship.

“At the moment, we have held only tentative discussions about the situation. It is certainly an interesting idea.”

The IFA are likely to find themselves frozen out of any bid, with their only hope being getting the SFA and the Football Association of Wales to agree a three-country proposal.

However, UEFA are unlikely to accept three host nations, as the privilege brings automatic qualification for the finals.