The GAA has declined to comment on the Government package worth £45 million on offer to the FAI. But it is certain that the prospective windfall will strengthen Croke Park's case for additional funding for its own redevelopment programme. "We've no comment to make on this," said Danny Lynch, the GAA's press officer. "It's a matter between the FAI and the Government and we would not comment on any funding provided to other sports organisations."

He did, however, dampen speculation that funding for soccer would inevitably benefit the GAA. "We haven't applied at any stage for additional funding or made a submission on the matter," he said.

Yet it is on the public record that the association believes it is entitled to assistance if competing organisations such as the FAI and IRFU benefit from the facilities in the Stadium Ireland project in Abbotstown. In his annual report a year ago, director general Liam Mulvihill made the point and stated that he was "sure that this issue can be sorted out over the next year or so".

The GAA sees potential compensation as falling under the following headings: the actual capital investment in the facilities, the cost of debt servicing and the use of corporate facilities for fund-raising.