The FAI were willing to hold discussions on the project but their northern counterparts politely declined the offer.

There have been calls for an All-Ireland League to generate fresh enthusiasm for the game in the north and south and the British-based sports agency, Platinum One, has been pursuing the dream.

However, Wells wrote to Fintan Drury, who heads the Irish side of the agency, to explain that the proposal would not come to fruition.

Delaney commented: "My role is to work with the IFA as best as we can and for the moment I think the idea of an All-Ireland league finished on the June 13 when Platinum One received that letter from the IFA."

The FAI chief said he circulated the letter, which he also received, to clubs looking for a meeting about plans for an All-Ireland league.

He said he remains supportive, in principle, of the plans and would continue to work closely with the IFA on other projects including the Setanta Sports Cup.

Delaney continued: "To be fair to the IFA, if their position is they don't want to get involved in it at this particular juncture we have to respect that.

"We can't tell Scotland what to do, we can't tell Wales what to do, we certainly won't be telling Northern Ireland what to do," he added.

Glentoran were willing to study Platinum One proposals but the initiative wasn't warmly greeted at Windsor Park.