Des Casey, newly elected as a vice-president of UEFA, believes Ireland could co-host the European championships in 2012.

Speaking after his appointment at UEFA's annual congress in Luxembourg on Saturday, Casey said that a joint application by Scotland, Wales and Ireland, south and north, was a realistic proposition.

"Detailed presentations for the championship in 2008 are already in place but I see nothing to prevent Ireland linking up with Scotland and Wales to stage it four years later.

"In terms of organising a big sporting event, 12 years is not a long time and the benefits deriving from it for the country at large would be significant".

Casey was nominated by UEFA as one of four vice-presidents who will help shape the organisation in the years ahead. A former trade union official, he is the second Irishman to attain high office in international football. Harry Cavan, who died earlier this year, was senior vice-president of FIFA over a long period. "It all came as a bit of a surprise but it probably helped that I've been involved with UEFA since 1986 and on the Executive Committee since 1994," he said.