The idea is backed by the sports minister, environment minister and the Irish Football Association.

BBC: Sporting village plan for south Belfast

Irish Football Association president Jim Shaw said he was "totally supportive" of the plans.

BBC: Sporting village plan for south Belfast

Kennedy said he was 100% committed to his role as president of the Irish Football Association.

BBC: Jameson says IFA chief Raymond Kennedy should resign

Under the plan, the Irish Football Association will build an 18, 000 seater stadium and two new spectator stands.

BBC: Sporting village plan for south Belfast

His employers, the Irish Football Association, vetoed the move, citing the increased workload involved with his position as Child Protection Officer.

BBC: Walker named new Ballymena boss

The Irish Football Association (IFA) plans to increase the stadium's capacity to 18, 000, but is consulting the public before submitting the plan.

BBC: Windsor Park plans meeting

The Rovers team was in essence an All-Ireland XI and the Northern Ireland governing body Irish Football Association had opposed the staging of the game.

BBC: Derek Dougan made 43 appearances for Northern Ireland

The Irish Football Association said that the 19-year-old "has decided that he would like to keep his options open with regards to England and also concentrate on his club career at Preston North End".

BBC: Adam Barton pulls out of Northern Ireland squad

At primary level, last year a new sports programme was launched for primary schools where coaches from the Gaelic Athletic Association and the Irish Football Association go into schools to work with children aged four to eight.

BBC: Leap forward for school sports

David Taylor, Scottish Football Association chief executive, on Friday insisted that he still has faith in the Irish being able to deliver the two stadiums required for the joint bid for Euro 2008.

BBC: Crisis talks on Euro 2008 bid