FAI to hear Government offer on stadium today

Leading representatives of the FAI will hear this morning what is on the table if they drop plans for their own stadium and opt to become tenants at the proposed Campus Ireland scheme in Abbotstown.

The Government's desire to have the association on board is underlined by the fact that the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and Ministers Jim McDaid and Charlie McCreevy are all expected to attend the meeting which is scheduled for 7.30 this morning.

They are likely to reiterate the Government's willingness to provide the football authorities with much needed capital in the form of substantial grant assistance while also confirming their willingness to allow the FAI to retain any funds raised by way of advance corporate box or seat sales in Stadium Ireland.

Appropriately enough, this morning's meeting is expected to last around 90 minutes and there may have to be another before next Friday's meeting of the FAI's Board of Management at which a report on what has been offered is to be given to the FAI's directors.

No decision is likely then but independent assessors may be appointed which would allow a timetable for a decisive vote on the question of which direction to follow.

"I would hope that we will make substantial progress at this meeting," said the association's treasurer, Brendan Menton yesterday, "and while I can't see it being wrapped up within the next week we do have a bit of time before we have to make any further firm decisions with regard to Eircom Park. That gives us time to consider our options and I think that what is happening now is certainly movement in the right direction."

McDaid told Dublin radio station FM104 yesterday that he was optimistic about the outcome of this morning's meeting, insisting that the Government is anxious to help the FAI achieve its goals and remarking that "we can go a long way further together than we can separately".

Meanwhile Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Dean Kiely will miss next week's friendly international against Denmark after limping out of a reserve team match against Ipswich on Wednesday night. Kiely had been expected to start against the Danes if he recovered from a groin strain but his club withdrew him yesterday.

Tottenham defender Stephen Carr was also officially withdrawn yesterday as he is still struggling with a stomach injury.

There was better news for Coventry City's Barry Quinn yesterday, however, with the 21year-old Dubliner signing a new four-year contract for the Highfield Road club.

Quinn had been on the verge of making a significant breakthrough at the club for the past couple of seasons but since the summer he has more than doubled the number of starts he has made although most of his football is now being played in defence rather than his preferred midfield position.

Barnsley's Brian O'Callaghan, meanwhile, has pulled out of next week's under-21 squad due to injury. Manager Don Givens has four players on stand-by, including Shelbourne pair Richie Baker and Richie Foran.