Northern Ireland football association says all-Ireland team ‘not on radar’

The governing body for Northern Ireland football has reacted dismissively to Taoiseach Enda Kenny's proposal for an all-Ireland soccer team which would play for charity, saying "the idea is not, and will not be on the association's radar".

The curt response by the Irish Football Association was echoed by the umbrella group for Northern Ireland's soccer supporters, which instead called for action over "player defections" to the Republic.

Gary McAllister, spokesman for the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters' Clubs said: "Constant calls for an all-Ireland football team, whether to participate within a competitive arena or indeed in an exhibition game, do nothing to aid community relations within football in Ireland."

James McClean and Darron Gibson are among a number of internationals who played for the North at underage level before declaring for the Republic, and Mr McAllister said: "There is little sense in promoting good relations on one hand, whilst at the same time ignoring the divisions which have been created over the issue of player defections."