IRELAND’S chances of reaching another European finals have increased after governing body UEFA agreed to expand the event to 24 teams – but they’ll have to wait until 2016 for the green light.
Senior officials of all 53 UEFA member nations, including representatives from the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), gave the expanded European Championships the thumbs up in Vienna last Saturday night.
Ireland and Scotland first mooted the idea, and now UEFA have decided to run with it after the next championship in 2012.
“We are delighted that UEFA have agreed to back this proposal from the FAI,” a spokesman for the association told Star Sunday.
The Scots were also happy. “It is something that the members of UEFA saw no real disadvantage to. Expanding to 24 teams would only add a few extra days to the competition,” said Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith.
“There was no downside in terms of revenue and the feeling in the meeting was that everyone was in favor. There is an appetite for it and everyone appreciates the advantages.”
The decision will now be ratified by UEFA’s executive committee when they meet in Bordeaux at the end of September.
UEFA president Michel Platini backed the plan to expand the finals from 16 to 24 teams after a hugely successful Euro 2008 competition which ended with Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Spain against Germany.
Ireland hasn’t qualified for the European Championships since Jack Charlton’s breakthrough at Germany in 1988.
Now, as the FAI plan a lavish celebration to mark the 20th anniversary of those finals and Ray Houghton’s goal against English, the Irish fans can dream of Euro glory again.
Platini won the tournament playing for France in 1984 when it was only half the size it is now.
“Remember, I won the Euros when there were only eight teams,” said Platini.
“I am not worried about the quality by increasing the number of teams. Countries like England, Denmark, Scotland, Ireland, Belgium, Serbia, Ukraine and Bulgaria all have the ability to participate in a European Championship.
“Would they reduce the quality of the Euro? I believe they have the quality to take part, yes sincerely. There are teams that could be at the Euro and even enhance the quality of the competition.”
Virgo Sold
CELTIC have sold defender Adam Virgo back to his old club Brighton and warned Italian side Bologna off any move for Japanese midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura.
A spokesman for the Scottish Premier League champions told the club’s official website, “We’ve never heard of the representative who has claimed Bologna has made an offer for Shunsuke Nakamura.
“We have not received any offer from Bologna or from any other club. In any case Naka is delighted to be staying with Celtic and that is what he will be doing.”
Meanwhile, the first Old Firm derby of the new Clydesdale Bank Premier League season has been moved back by a day and will now be played on Sunday, August 31.
Lazio have joined Celtic in the race to sign striker Georgios Samaras from Manchester City in a permanent deal after his successful loan spell at Parkhead last season.
Cork Departure
CORK City have made the shock announcement that star midfielder George O’Callaghan is set to leave the club for a second time in as many years and pursue a professional career abroad after several offers, most of them believed to be from England.
“We have been approached by a number of clubs enquiring about George’s availability and the player has a number of options available to him,” said manager Alan Matthews.
“At this point in his career, George feels that it would be in his best interests, both personally and professionally, to pursue his career outside of the eircom League of Ireland, and we fully respect George’s decision in this matter.”
Soccer Shorts
BRIAN Kerr’s nemesis Avram Grant, recently sacked as Chelsea manager, has been linked with Ireland’s World Cup opponents Georgia as they look for a new manager . . .
BOHS will play FK Riga of Latvia in the next round of the Inter Toto Cup after a comfortable 4-2 win, 9-3 on aggregate, over Welsh side Rhyl in the second leg of their first round game on Saturday . . .
IRELAND captain Robbie Keane has been linked with a shock $30 million move to Liverpool, which is reportedly prepared to offer Peter Crouch in part exchange for the Dublin-born striker . . .
IRISH-born MK Dons captain Keith Andrews is attracting interest from championship side Watford and Premier League side Blackburn, now managed by his former boss Paul Ince . . .
WORLD Cup winner Marcello Lippi has been confirmed as the new Italian manager after Roberto Donadoni paid the price for a poor European Championship performance . . .
IRISH satellite broadcaster Setanta Sports has secured a new four-year television rights package with the Scottish Premier League in a deal worth over $200 million . . .
WEST Bromwich Albion are poised to sign Ireland youth international Lee Jay Lynch from Limerick junior side Regional United . . .
SHAMROCK Rovers captain Stephen Rice looks certain to sign for Cork City after a disagreement with manager Pat Scully . . .
DUBLIN-born striker Alan Lee has committed his future to Ipswich Town in the wake of recent transfer speculation . . .
ST. Patrick’s Athletic have again offered Cork midfielder Joe Gamble the chance to move to Dublin . . .
FORMER Irish under-21 midfielder David Bell could sign for Reading from Luton Town . . .
SHREWSBURY Town have made a bid for Rotherham’s Irish defender Graham Coughlan . . .
CARDIFF City have signed Irish under-21 defender Darren Dennehy from Everton . . .
NEW Irish midfielder Wes Hoolahan has moved to Norwich City from Blackpool . . .
DERRY City want to sign Linfield striker Thomas Stewart.
O’Brien’s Derby
THE Aidan O’Brien touch proved triumphant against as he teamed up with jockey Seamus Heffernan to win the Irish Derby with Frozen Fire on Sunday at the Curragh, a year after they captured the same race with Soldier of Fortune.
Casual Conquest passed the post in second, with Alessandro Volta in third. A stewards’ inquiry did not affect the winner.
“This is down to a lot of people — it’s been a privilege to have been involved in it,” said O’Brien. “Seamus has worked very hard and is a great judge of a horse. Nobody deserves it more than Seamus and I couldn’t be happier for him.”
Sports Shorts
CYCLING: Daniel Martin dominated from start to finish as he won the Irish national road race championships in Midleton, Co. Cork, on Sunday. Siobhan Dervan of the Italian-based Fenix pro team took a fourth consecutive Irish road race title in the women’s race . . .
SHOW JUMPING: Veteran star Eddie Macken is back in the Irish team after a 10-year absence when the 59-year-old rides at the Hickstead Super League nations cup competition at the end of July . . .
ATHLETICS: Beijing bound David Gillick set a new Irish 400 meter record in France last Friday night when he raced to victory in a time of 45.12 seconds . . .
RUGBY: The IRFU have announced that Australian Les Kiss, currently with the NSW Waratahs, will be Ireland’s new defense coach . . .
RUGBY: Scrum-half Mike Prendergast has rejoined Munster from English side Gloucester . . .
RUGBY: South African World Cup winning prop CJ Van Der Linde and Australian flanker Rocky Elsom have both been confirmed on the Leinster squad for next season, with John Fogarthy and Simon Keogh arriving from Connacht and Harlequins respectively.
GAA Shorts
WATERFORD will host Antrim and Galway will be at home to Laois in the second round of the All-Ireland hurling qualifiers this Saturday. Cork will play Dublin and Offaly will travel to Limerick on Saturday, July 12 . . .
A SHOULDER injury picked up on club duty with Newport last weekend could keep Tipperary center-back Conor O’Mahony out of the Munster final clash with Clare on Sunday, July 13 . . .
NIALL Rigney is the new manager of the Laois senior hurling team in succession to Damian Fox, who quit after the recent Leinster championship exit to Offaly . . .
NEWSPAPER reports last weekend suggested that U2 have turned down the chance to play at the celebrations to mark the 125th anniversary of the GAA next year . . .
FORMER Northern Ireland soccer player Hugh Davey has been invited onto the Down senior football panel after his return from a scholarship in America . . .
TYRONE could be without goalkeeper John Devine for their All-Ireland qualifier against Louth after he picked up an ankle injury last week . . .
MONAGHAN star Paul Finlay has had an appeal against an eight week suspension rejected by the Central Appeals Committee.
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