Ireland's clout is bound to grow in the halls of UEFA after it was announced on Saturday that Des Casey has been appointed vice-president of the organisation. The 68-year-old Dundalk man was nominated by UEFA president Lennart Johansson for the post.

Casey has set as one of his goals that Ireland co-host the European Championship finals in 2012. The idea was first mooted by kickin' magazine two years ago - and when Ireland played Scotland in Lansdowne Road recently in a friendly game both Associations sat down and discussed the idea further. The idea is to co-host the competition between Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales and Casey sees this as feasible.

He said: "There is no doubt that hosting the European Championships would be a feasible project for the four associations. But it's crucial that preliminary discussions towards realising that target continue. Planning to bid for the 2008 finals is too soon but aiming for 2012 is realistic.

"Twelve years may seem a long time away but it's nothing in football terms. I would give the project every backing."