Manchester United and Shelbourne yesterday formally announced a strategic alliance which will see the English club donate £50,000 a year to the Dublin club over the next five years.

First refusal on players from Shelbourne's soccer school will be ceded to United as part of the deal, and United will pay a bonus to the club if players go on to make a specified number of appearances for them. United will play a friendly against Shelbourne this summer and are also set to provide players on loan to the Tolka Park club.

United manager Alex Ferguson was part of a high-powered delegation in Dublin for yesterday's announcement.

Meanwhile a spokesman for the Defence Forces has admitted to being "surprised" that they are not listed as one of the objectors to the FAI's application for planning permission in relation to Eircom Park.

Forces' press officer John Nolan said that a letter had been sent to South Dublin County Council in early December seeking further information on the application but also registering an objection because of the fears that the Air Corps have about the impact the development would have on the safe operation of the nearby Casement Aerodrome.

"The letter was intended to serve both purposes, it was a request for information but also an objection," Nolan said yesterday before adding that representatives of the Defence Forces hoped to meet with FAI officials "within the next couple of weeks" to discuss the proposed project.

Meanwhile, Dave Barry has announced that he will step down as manager of Cork City at the end of the current campaign. In his three years in charge he has led the club to FAI and League Cup successes.