The Irish Football Association (IFA) has ruled out the possibility of teaming up with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to form an All-Ireland football team.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
The IFA was commenting after Taoiseach Enda Kenny said an All-Ireland team should be formed to take on England for charity.
Mr Kenny was speaking at the Sport and Reconciliation conference in Armagh at which he said the team should take on England every two years to raise money for children.
He said the games could be played at Wembley in London or the Gaelic Athletic Association’s (GAA) headquarters at Croke Park in Dublin, and could help fund research and facilities at specialist hospitals in Belfast and Dublin.
He said: “Given the nature of sports people they would be more than willing to participate in what would be an occasion of visible integration of sport, but also with a real impact for the development of facilities for all the children of the island of Ireland.”
The Taoiseach’s proposal has the back of the North’s First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. However, the IFA has dismissed the suggestion.
An IFA spokesperson said: “Following comments made by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the Sport and Reconciliation conference in Armagh regarding a proposed ‘all-island football team for charity,’ the Irish FA wishes to clarify that the idea is not, and will not be on the Association’s radar.”
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