Officials from Bohemians and Shelbourne are in talks with regards a possible ground share agreement.  Neither club will comment on the exact nature of the talks but the FAI, who are chairing the meetings, have confirmed discussions are in progress.

"Both clubs have entered into these discussions without prejudice to other strategic and developmental initiatives which are under consideration," an FAI statement issued this afternoon read.

It continued:  "The talks are taking place in the full recognition of the best interests of the stakeholders of both clubs and for the benefit of the long-term future of the clubs."

Speculation that the two clubs would move into the one ground surfaced last season when the Scottish consultants, Genesis, published their report on the current state and future of the eircom League.

Ground sharing was a key Genesis recommendation last September. It was noted there was a reluctance to fund the development of four main stadiums in Dublin and that ground sharing would be vigorously pursued in the hope of yielding just one stadium either side of the Liffey.

As such, if this proposal does go ahead, Bohemians could conceivably sell 49 per cent of Dalymount Park to their Drumcondra rivals who, on the back of selling the Tolka Park lease back to the council, would develop the dilapidated Connacht Street side of the ground and establish a club base there.

Both teams would then benefit from sizeable government grants to assist with the development. Sources suggest a €10 to €15 million windfall could be split between the two sides.  Bohemians, though, would fight for a higher return considering they are anchor tenants at the Phibsboro venue.

An Board Pleanála recently paved the way for the redevelopment of the Phibsboro shopping centre and as a result of that decision, Bohemians are to get a new 400-seat stand at the shopping centre end of Dalymount Park.

"As a survival plan for the future it would make sense for both of the teams to share," one FAI source said today. "Clubs struggle to survive in this country. By housing two heavy-weights together it makes sense for a strong league."

In 2004, Shelbourne applied to Dublin City Council to have Tolka Park rezoned from recreational to residential use. The club planned to use the proceeds from the sale to fund the development of a new stadium elsewhere in the city.

However, plans to move to a new base near Finglas collapsed due to opposition by local councillors.  Of late, the club had talked of a 2008 move to a custom-built campus in Donabate, North Dublin, but those plans appear to have stalled somewhat.

It is not the first time ground sharing has been mooted.  In 2004 St Patrick's Athletic were urged to sell Richmond Park and house with Shelbourne.  And in recent weeks there have been calls for the Inchicore club to room with Shamrock Rovers once the municipal stadium in Tallaght is completed later this year.

Today’s news comes days before league’s AGM in Limerick where all 22 National League clubs will be asked to endorse a one-page document outlining plans to restructure the current league format ahead of a merger with the FAI.