Fingal County Council has revealed plans to build a €10million sports academy in north Dublin.

The facility is to be situated in Turvey, between Swords and Donabate.

It will encompass indoor and outdoor all-weather facilities and will serve as a centre of learning for the 60 football clubs in the Fingal area.

The council have also applied for a senior football club licence to participate in the new League of Ireland "A" Championship from the 2008 season.

Commenting on the proposed development, Senior Executive Officer with Fingal County Council, John O'Brien, said: "The Plan is founded on using sport as a vehicle for bringing our communities together, encouraging greater sporting activity and providing a workable means for real social integration within and across the 100 nationalities represented in Fingal."

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The council has collaborated with former Irish International player, Liam Buckley in developing its Football Development Plan, Mr Buckley said: "This concept is unique in Ireland and I hope that having experienced football and its effect on communities abroad, I can bring something different to the people of Fingal through the Council’s Football Plan.

"The key to successfully developing the community through this project in Fingal is to engage not just the children and young people, but adults, coaches, parents, and helpers."

The final element of the Council’s proposed Plan would see a long term plan being put forward to construct a small sports stadium.

(GK/JM)