Rooney Resigns

[Robinski]

He resigned last night.

Watch Delaney hop into that seat and mess up all the good work Rooney has done.

[Donal81]

From the Irish Times this morning...

"Mr Fran Rooney resigned last night as chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland. Negotiations between representatives of Mr Rooney and thre FAI ended with a finanicial settlement that severs the links between the 46-year-old former Baltimore Technologies chief and Irish football's governing body with immediate effect.

The agreement, which will be confirmed at a press conference today, is reported to have been concluded in a car park of the UCD campus at Belfield."

F*cking amateurs, every single one of them. I'm quite serious about this, the FAI must be stood down entirely and rebuilt from the ground up! I don't wish to sound like some jaded trade union leader here but we need government intervention. Stand it down and start it again, it's the only way this miserable, pest-ridden farce of an organisation can work. I use the term 'organisation' extremely lightly as I can't remember that box of sh*te ever organising a damned thing. They take our money and then they make fools of us. Stand it down.

[macdermesser]

From the Irish Times this morning...

"Mr Fran Rooney resigned last night as chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland. Negotiations between representatives of Mr Rooney and thre FAI ended with a finanicial settlement that severs the links between the 46-year-old former Baltimore Technologies chief and Irish football's governing body with immediate effect.

The agreement, which will be confirmed at a press conference today, is reported to have been concluded in a car park of the UCD campus at Belfield."

F*cking amateurs, every single one of them. I'm quite serious about this, the FAI must be stood down entirely and rebuilt from the ground up! I don't wish to sound like some jaded trade union leader here but we need government intervention. Stand it down and start it again, it's the only way this miserable, pest-ridden farce of an organisation can work. I use the term 'organisation' extremely lightly as I can't remember that box of sh*te ever organising a damned thing. They take our money and then they make fools of us. Stand it down.


i think the saying that the turkeys don't vote for Christmas applies to that organisation.

[drummerboy]

As someone who is deeply involved with my local club, I am sick to the pit of my stomach with this news. At a time when football is more popular now than ever before, clubs thriving in the heart of GAAland, the parent body (FAI) is controlled by a bunch of self-centred individuals who are so concerned about their position that they will destroy anybody who tries to change the status quo. All this at the expense of the ordinary schoolboy, junior, intermediate and most El clubs. This is not a democratic organisation. While Rooney was obviously a bit rough at the edges, he did try to change things, run things more professionally. Not looking forward to see who Delaney will select as his puppet.

[TheJamaicanP.M.]

He resigned last night.

Watch Delaney hop into that seat and mess up all the good work Rooney has done.

I havent seen too much of Rooney's good work. He was just another FAI muppet. I am glad to see the back of him.

[Robinski]

While Rooney was obviously a bit rough at the edges, he did try to change things, run things more professionally. Not looking forward to see who Delaney will select as his puppet.

Delaney will appoint himself. That is the reason for this whole mess. He's wanted the job from day one.

I'm gutted that Rooney is out, I really am.

[drummerboy]

•*Well what about the quality of the friendlies he organised.
• Tickets for El fans for international matches.
• Efforts made to improve athmosphere at International matches
• Better travel arrangements, training facilities and hotel accommodation for Int team.
• Decision to hold Women Final on same day as Senior Cup Final.
• Recognition of Intermediate players on Amateur International Team, who this week go to Bosnia for UEFA championship qualifiying rounds.
• He has the support of the AUL and LSL, the two biggest leagues in the country for the work he has put into helping these organisations.
I sure there are many more items he has achieved in such a short time.

[Ozymandias]

people are slating delaney here..Have I missed something..IMO Delaney is one of the good guys its the muppets like Corcoran etc that need the chop..at least delaney wants to implement genesis...sorry to see rooney go thouigh

[Robinski]

•*Well what about the quality of the friendlies he organised.
• Tickets for El fans for international matches.
• Efforts made to improve athmosphere at International matches
• Better travel arrangements, training facilities and hotel accommodation for Int team.
• Decision to hold Women Final on same day as Senior Cup Final.
• Recognition of Intermediate players on Amateur International Team, who this week go to Bosnia for UEFA championship qualifiying rounds.
• He has the support of the AUL and LSL, the two biggest leagues in the country for the work he has put into helping these organisations.
I sure there are many more items he has achieved in such a short time.

I'm assuming you are answering TheJamaicanP.M. question here. Nice list.

[thejollyrodger]

well I wasnt a major backer of Rooney but thought he was doing a good job. Lets just hope that the new guy in charge implements Genesis fully and we get a half decent FAI.

[patsh]

IMO Delaney is one of the good guys its the muppets like Corcoran etc that need the chop..at least delaney wants to implement genesis..:eek:
Delaney is interested in one thing: Delaney.
A f*cking arseh*le who couldn't give a flying f*ck for Genesis or anything else, least of all the eL.

[Peadar]

its the muppets like Corcoran etc that need the chop...

Think you're right there.
The fact the Corcoran is still in the FAI just shows you how corrupt the organisation is. They shafted B O'Byrne, they shafted Rooney and you can be sure they'll shaft Delaney too if he doesn't suit them.
I will support Delaney if he becomes CEO.

[monutdfc]

•*Well what about the quality of the friendlies he organised.
• Tickets for El fans for international matches.
• Efforts made to improve athmosphere at International matches
• Better travel arrangements, training facilities and hotel accommodation for Int team.
• Decision to hold Women Final on same day as Senior Cup Final.
• Recognition of Intermediate players on Amateur International Team, who this week go to Bosnia for UEFA championship qualifiying rounds.

I don't think that is such an impressive list, really. Anyone worth their salt (doesn't say much about the previous incumbents) would have done much of this, and Charlton and McCarthy should have sorted out the facilities, travel etc for the international team years ago. Definitely doesn't merit his 250k pa salary (plus a share in any extra revenue generated in excess of a hurdle) plus pension.



• He has the support of the AUL and LSL, the two biggest leagues in the country for the work he has put into helping these organisations.
I sure there are many more items he has achieved in such a short time.

There might be more substance to these achievements, I don't know.

I don't know if Rooney was any good or not. I'm definitely not supporting Delaney and Corcoran who appear to be a pair off self-serving a-holes, but the above list does not present facts to me that say he was the saviour people are making him out to be. And he'll still walk away with 300-400k.

[Robinski]

well I wasnt a major backer of Rooney but thought he was doing a good job. Lets just hope that the new guy in charge implements Genesis fully and we get a half decent FAI.

Don't you get it? Delaney will sit in the CEO seat, it's what he's wanted all along. He might not jump straight into it but give him time, let’s say January. In the meantime he’ll give himself some ‘Acting Head Honcho’ title, just to bide time.

Say goodbye to the eL scheme, eL matches on RTE, your allocation of international tickets and, more than likely, the ability to watch an International match on terrestrial television. I hear Sky calling. . .

[Peadar]

Say goodbye to the eL scheme, eL matches on RTE, your allocation of international tickets.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Delaney an advocate of the eL?
I can't see him being a difficult customer to deal with.
Hopefully he will push the agenda for the FAI to take control of the eL again.
I probably sound a bit selfish here but the eL is my first concern.

[Robinski]

I probably sound a bit selfish here but the eL is my first concern.

Mine too, that's why I put my list in that order. I have never seen Delaney at an eL match. Rooney was a major instigator of the eL scheme, not Delaney.

Rooney negotiated with RTE for more eL matches to be televised, which resulted in 198,000 people tuning into the FAI Cup Semi Final replay between Bohs & Pats last year.

What has Delaney done for the eL?

[drummerboy]

Isn't Delaney the guy who said 2 years ago, and on many occasions on National TV, “that if Genesis wasn't implemented in a years time, he would resign his position, that is how strong I feel about Genesis.

Well we are still waiting …

[thejollyrodger]

well all I can say is that its time for E.L supporters to start getting militant against the likes of Delaney if he doesnt do whats best for the E.L and its supporters !

Rooney was good considering what went before but he was restricted because of FAI politics. Hopefully the new guy will be more ruthless than the rest and scheming enough to last the full term. Then maybe he can implement all of Genesis and start to develop the E.L

[wws]

Delaney: one of teh good guys my hole

he's the reason for this whole mess


get them all out and employ competent professionals to implement a coherent strategy now - self preservation at all costs is no longer something we should tolerate in the FAI

[Cosmo]

'get them all out'

Best thing that has been said - short and to the point.

Was unsure about Big Fran so wouldve been unfair to give an opinion on that part of it - but there is a bigger picture and the above 4 words sum it all up.

Time for EL supporters to stand up for their league!!

[paudie]

the FAI must be stood down entirely and rebuilt from the ground up! I don't wish to sound like some jaded trade union leader here but we need government intervention. Stand it down and start it again, it's the only way this miserable, pest-ridden farce of an organisation can work.

While there may to merit to this suggestion FIFA take a VERY dim view of Government intervention in the workings of National associations.

There have been a number of times when countries (mostly African) have been thrown out of competitions including World Cup qualifiers because the Government has forcibly tried to reform a National Association.

I agree though, the FAI are a complete farce at this stage.

[Donal81]

Good point and I didn't know that but, in fairness, I don't see how they could intervene to save the 'integrity' of the FAI. Then again, FIFA and UEFA aren't exactly the height of efficiency or good sense either. I don't see what grounds FIFA would have to intervene although, like I said, I didn't know that. The FAI makes its money from three sources - advertising/sponsorship, grants and punters. As we provide money for the grants and pay for matches, jerseys etc, that makes it in the public interest. This is more than just some ropey organisation. This is a ropey PUBLIC organisation that is mismanaging a great sport down the tubes in this country. I sincerely believe that no figure can come in there and whip it into shape. I would compare the Rooney escapade to a big hitter from the business world taking over a rural post office. He tries to implement certain things but, in the end, he's forced out by self-serving people who are there for reasons that no one can really remember. Who is Milo Corcoran? Who is John Delaney? Who was Brendan Menton? Who in God's name are these people and how can they be allowed to have such an influence on what is OUR game and not the FAI's? To hell with them, I can't stick these disgusting incompetent morons anymore and what they've done to football in this country.

[Cowboy]

at least delaney wants to implement genesis...

u sure about that, his actions say otherwise

[Cowboy]

While there may to merit to this suggestion FIFA take a VERY dim view of Government intervention in the workings of National associations.

There have been a number of times when countries (mostly African) have been thrown out of competitions including World Cup qualifiers because the Government has forcibly tried to reform a National Association.



Very true Paudie, any action must not land us in trouble with FIFA

[resovoirdub]

What have the FAI EVER DONE FOR US? :confused:

[patsh]

While there may to merit to this suggestion FIFA take a VERY dim view of Government intervention in the workings of National associations.So?
It might be a good thing if FIFA f*cked us out of some competition. The outcry in the country might actually achieve something.

TO fix the problem, I believe the following should happen:
1. The Sports Council/Government withdraws ALL funding from the FAI immediately.
2. The Sports Council/Minister should set up an alternative association, run by professional people, who have been given the job after an open competition.
3. All eL clubs should be encouraged to "resign" from the eL/FAI, and join with the new organisation, as well as schoolboys/ladies/junior etc. leagues.
Funding for all those various leagues should be decided by this new body, who will be independant of all clubs and leagues.
Each eL club to be given access to or control over a Fás scheme, to help young -players to stay here, or help them when they are released by cross-channel clubs.
Also, Government gives a guaranteed level of funding for a fixed number of years.
€10 million a year for 3 to 5 years is not an unreasonable amount.
4. FIFA & UEFA should be approached and the situation explained to them, that the FAI does not have the support or funding of the Dáil or the people of the country.

FIFA will go along with a proper organisation which has the support and backing of the majority.

It would probably need a Minister committed to promoting soccer in this country to make this work, but someone with energy and committment could do it, and bring an end, once and for all, to the running joke that is the FAI.

[Bondvillain]

So?
It might be a good thing if FIFA f*cked us out of some competition. The outcry in the country might actually achieve something.

I think, unfortunately, the only outcry that government intervention leading to sanctions would provoke is howls of anger from all those "Tottenham united" supporters who would have nowhere to go on match days once the corporate tickets dried up.

We are a lazy nation who, when it comes down to it, do bugger all about what bothers us really, except muttering under our breath about how it should be done. No doubt The Hardcore fan would protest a while, The everyday fan would blame the government for intervening, the corporate fan would go back to inbreeding after the rugger with the rest of his inbred friends. And life would go on, and the Irish would go back to planning revolutions in the pub. (which incidentally, thanks to Ireland's brave ability to challenge authority, shuts at 11.30. And you cant smoke......)

[eirebhoy]

Looks like there's plenty of the media reading this forum:


Supporters threatened to boycott Irish international matches and urged the red-carding of the FAI board after claiming Mr Rooney was forced out.
http://www.breakingnews.ie/story.asp?j=65157158&p=65y5753z&n=65157629&x=

[monutdfc]

I was waiting for that fraud Hunter to turn up...
...when will the lazy journalists in this country recognise him for the fraud he is and stop quoting him as the spokesperson of Irish football fans.

[Cowboy]

Interesting story. Does anyone know what size of memership Mr. Hunters organisation has, I'm wondering why there is another supporters club other than the ROISSC and what size of mandate he has to speak on these matters?

Just curious I've no axe to grind on this



Looks like there's plenty of the media reading this forum:


http://www.breakingnews.ie/story.asp?j=65157158&p=65y5753z&n=65157629&x=

[Schumi]

Interesting story. Does anyone know what size of memership Mr. Hunters organisation has, I'm wondering why there is another supporters club other than the ROISSC and what size of mandate he has to speak on these matters?

Just curious I've no axe to grind on this
One I'd imagine, unless he's developed schizophrenia recently.

[thejollyrodger]

The only thing the FAI will listen too is a militant supporters group. A protest has to be made to highlight the sham FAI to the media. A few interviews to Sky Sports news and a demo at the next friendly would start to address this.

[drummerboy]

So?
TO fix the problem, I believe the following should happen:
1. The Sports Council/Government withdraws ALL funding from the FAI immediately.
2. The Sports Council/Minister should set up an alternative association, run by professional people, who have been given the job after an open competition.
3. All eL clubs should be encouraged to "resign" from the eL/FAI, and join with the new organisation, as well as schoolboys/ladies/junior etc. leagues.
Funding for all those various leagues should be decided by this new body, who will be independant of all clubs and leagues.
Each eL club to be given access to or control over a Fás scheme, to help young -players to stay here, or help them when they are released by cross-channel clubs.
Also, Government gives a guaranteed level of funding for a fixed number of years.
€10 million a year for 3 to 5 years is not an unreasonable amount.
4. FIFA & UEFA should be approached and the situation explained to them, that the FAI does not have the support or funding of the Dáil or the people of the country.

FIFA will go along with a proper organisation which has the support and backing of the majority.

It would probably need a Minister committed to promoting soccer in this country to make this work, but someone with energy and committment could do it, and bring an end, once and for all, to the running joke that is the FAI.

Plenty of good points there but be real. What will ACTUALLY happen now is that a stooge of the FAI will make a statement about the Genesis project being dead in the water. This will be followed with the announcement of an “inquiry/commission/feasability study” on the future of Irish football. In the meantime nothing will be done.

[monutdfc]

Interesting story. Does anyone know what size of memership Mr. Hunters organisation has, I'm wondering why there is another supporters club other than the ROISSC and what size of mandate he has to speak on these matters?

Just curious I've no axe to grind on this

Actually he's got over 50,000 members - which just happen to be the same as the Concorde Travel mailing list! The ROISSC is sham organisation invented by Hunter to give himself credibility. What's the betting he's on Question and Answers or Prime Time next week, complete with leprechaun hat, acting as spokesperson for the Irish soccer (sic) fan, because RTE will never see through him

[dahamsta]

I have to say that I find it very, very hard to believe that the massive progress and growth that has happened in the Eircom League in the past couple of years had nothing to do with Rooney. It would be a very large coincidence indeed if it happened completely without his vision and hard work.

I'd also like to state for the record that I'm very, very annoyed with the use of this forum as a method to attack Rooney, and furthermore that if I ever have an opportunity to prove a connection between posts on our site and people in the FAI, I will release the details in full to the media.

I posted an enquiry on this subject in the Moderators forum the other day, I will be moving it to a public forum shortly.

I will NOT allow Foot.ie to be used as a political handbag.

adam

[Cowboy]

Actually he's got over 50,000 members - which just happen to be the same as the Concorde Travel mailing list! The ROISSC is sham organisation invented by Hunter to give himself credibility. What's the betting he's on Question and Answers or Prime Time next week, complete with leprechaun hat, acting as spokesperson for the Irish soccer (sic) fan, because RTE will never see through him

Dont mean to be rude and please correct me if I'm wrong but is'nt Mr. Hunters organisation the "Irish Football Supporters’ Association" and not the ROISSC ?

[Superhoops]

The ROISSC is sham organisation invented by Hunter to give himself credibility

Hunter has nothing to do with the ROISSC which is based in Dublin, was established in the early eighties and is recognised by the FAI. There are several other branches including London, Luton and Birmingham.

Hunter's organisation is the Irish Football Supporters’ Association who he claims has 20000/30000/50000 depending on when he opens his gob. I have never met anyone who claims to be belong to this IFSA, yet the media, and especially RTE give this guy airtime and credibility. They obviously have not done any research or else they would find out he is a Walter Mitty.

[aka Dus]

You know what the funniest thing is? That I've heard Bernard O'Byrne is being lined up to take charge of the 'full implementation' of the Genesis report.

[monutdfc]

Dont mean to be rude and please correct me if I'm wrong but is'nt Mr. Hunters organisation the "Irish Football Supporters’ Association" and not the ROISSC ?
Yes, you are of course correct. My mistake and apologies to the ROISSC

[monutdfc]

I have to say that I find it very, very hard to believe that the massive progress and growth that has happened in the Eircom League in the past couple of years had nothing to do with Rooney. It would be a very large coincidence indeed if it happened completely without his vision and hard work.


He's only been in the job 18 months. What improvements have been made that might be down to him? If you can offer more than conjecture then I can be persuaded that he has been a factor in the modest - not massive - growth that the eircom League has seen in the last 18 months. But without hard facts, or even soft facts, it's hard to make this assertion.

I'd say the biggest factors in the improvement in the eL in the past 2-3+ years are the brave decisions by Shelbourne and Bohemians to go full-time, the strides made by others - mainly Cork City and Drogheda, and Pats until their financial difficulties caught up with them - to keep up with the standards the first 2 mentioned have set, and the collapse of ITV Digital which forced the lower league clubs in England to thin down their squads thus encouraging/forcing good players to come home to play in the league. Rooney had nothing to do with any of these factors that I can see.

I have nothing to do with the FAI.

[dahamsta]

He's only been in the job 18 months. What improvements have been made that might be down to him? If you can offer more than conjecture then I can be persuaded that he has been a factor in the modest - not massive - growth that the eircom League has seen in the last 18 months. But without hard facts, or even soft facts, it's hard to make this assertion.As you're no doubt aware I'm no expert, although drummerboy's post (http://foot.ie/showpost.php?p=181886&postcount=7) seems a pretty good roundup. The only yardstick I have to measure success or failure is Foot.ie, which has grown dramatically in the past year or so, both in terms of the number of users and posts, and, more significantly, the quality of discussion. I feel strongly that Rooney's leadership of the FAI has been a major factor in this growth, and I reckon my interest in the ongoing success of Foot.ie gives me a pretty good inducement not to support him just for the sake of supporting him. This is the man that agreed to an interview with Foot.ie and later brushed it aside, remember, so I have no particular affection for him.

(If you're reading Fran, we'd still be happy to interview you, under the same terms. Just let me know and I'll open the floor to our members. You won't get many opportunities to skip the media filters and tell your side of the story direct to the public like this.)

adam

* I can't believe I said that, but yes, it's true. The noise has risen, but in a lower proportion to the signal. Which is nice.

[onceahoop]

As someone who is deeply involved with my local club, I am sick to the pit of my stomach with this news. At a time when football is more popular now than ever before, clubs thriving in the heart of GAAland, the parent body (FAI) is controlled by a bunch of self-centred individuals who are so concerned about their position that they will destroy anybody who tries to change the status quo. All this at the expense of the ordinary schoolboy, junior, intermediate and most El clubs. This is not a democratic organisation. While Rooney was obviously a bit rough at the edges, he did try to change things, run things more professionally. Not looking forward to see who Delaney will select as his puppet.



Delaney will elect himself. Did anyone read John O'Briens article in the Sunday Times last Sunday.

[onceahoop]

people are slating delaney here..Have I missed something..IMO Delaney is one of the good guys its the muppets like Corcoran etc that need the chop..at least delaney wants to implement genesis...sorry to see rooney go thouigh


This is the man who jumps from one camp to the other. With friends like him, who needs enemies.

---and here it is.
Taken from the Sunday Times.
October 31, 2004

Meet the most powerful figure in Irish football
JOHN O'BRIEN
After a high-profile period, FAI treasurer John Delaney has retreated into the shadows, but he is as influential as ever



Even by their own exalted standards, it has been a strange week in the life of the Football Association of Ireland. When Fran Rooney stood to address the gathering at the AUL’s centenary celebrations last Saturday, it was the chief executive’s first opportunity to gauge public feeling since the storm about his leadership had erupted. They gave him a standing ovation. When FAI president Milo Corcoran, one of Rooney’s accusers, followed, the audience stayed firmly in their seats.
And so the week has gone, taking a turn nobody could have foreseen seven days ago when the rap sheet against Rooney seemed to be stretching longer than a Roy Keane stare. Supporters’ websites filled up with hotchpotch plans to stage protests in favour of Rooney. The great and the good called Liveline, that fine barometer of national feeling, to voice their outrage at the treatment of him. Hound hasn’t quite become hare but the angle has shifted and people have been shifting uneasily with it.



What is most intriguing is not those who have joined the campaign to oust Rooney — minions and humble footmen at best — but those whose names have been conspicuous by their absence. The farcical sub-committee established by the national council on Friday merely added another list of puppets to the central casting. Offstage, where the main plot unfolds, the masters can spin away to their heart’s content.

And in the forums and bar-stool discussions of Irish football, one name looms large when the FAI enters the arena: John Delaney, FAI treasurer and son of Joe. Nothing has intrigued more about the present brouhaha than the lack of any public statement from the man who, during the bitter Eircom Park feud, was known for leaving meetings at divisive moments to take calls from radio stations. Over these past few weeks Delaney’s silence has been positively deafening.

Delaney has been a controversial figure since he joined the board of management in 1999, the son of a controversial father. Just 31 when he succeeded the late Dr Tony O’Neill, Delaney showed a particular aptitude to steer a path through the murky world of FAI politics, though his rise has been seen by many as too swift, too relentless. His first years alone encompassed the demise of two chief executives and the shelving of two projects to build a stadium. Since then he has witnessed more bloodletting than a Spanish corrida.

What rankles many is this: for 15 of the last 20 years a Delaney has controlled the purse strings of the FAI and in an organisation where finance has always been a testy subject, that constitutes an endless source of acrimony. Moreover, whenever blood has been routinely spilled in that time the one common denominator has always been the name of Delaney. Only once — in the infamous Merriongate scandal of 1996 — has the family taken a bullet.

In his own rise to power, Delaney has never hidden the fact that his zeal is driven to a large extent by the perceived injustice he feels was done to his father. Joe resigned because a shortfall in excess of IR£100,000 was uncovered from ticket revenue from the 1994 World Cup. Delaney paid back the deficit from his own pocket, but it didn’t save his position.

“I’ve no problem in saying my dad was harshly treated,” Delaney wrote in this newspaper in 2000. “Perhaps I’m biased, but even though he sinned, the FAI didn’t lose a single penny, while others, who committed far more serious crimes, escaped with more lenient penalties.”

It is an attitude — not the sinning, but the level of it — that has brought Delaney far but also into a number of scrapes. Along with John Byrne, a former director of Galway United, it was Delaney who took the fight to Bernard O’Byrne during the Eircom Park saga and when Brendan Menton, the beneficiary of that struggle, failed to cut the ice as general secretary it was Delaney, as the main mover behind the establishment of Genesis, who saw him off as well.

Back then Delaney’s stock — as well as his ego — was soaring. While Menton dithered over the row that saw Roy Keane leave Saipan, Delaney took matters in hand thousands of miles away in Dublin. In daily press conferences from Merrion Square and in liaisons with Keane’s agent, Michael Kennedy, it seemed Delaney was in charge, which in effect he was, and he savoured the media profile it bestowed upon him.

Not that he was invincible, though. That was merely the impression Delaney gave. In 2002, when Des Casey was retiring as FAI honorary secretary, the campaign to appoint his successor was keenly fought. Delaney threw his weight behind Cobh chairman Michael Cody while his rival, Kevin Fahy, had the backing of Louis Kilcoyne, an old adversary of Delaney’s father. Cody was regarded as the odds-on favourite but Delaney was out-foxed and Fahy claimed the prize.

It was subsequently avenged, however. If you want to gain a handle on the ducking and diving that constitutes football administration, the Fahy situation is a neat entry point. After the Genesis findings were made public and the association plunged into flux, Fahy was one of those who publicly supported Rooney and the process of change.

At that time Fahy’s position was broadly in tune with Delaney’s and at odds with Corcoran, who clashed with Delaney in November 2002. “John likes things to be done yesterday,” Corcoran said in reference to Delaney’s ideas on the pace of reform, “but in the real world I don’t think you can do that”.

But nothing in the FAI changes more quickly or as often than the positions of its senior officials. Wind forward 18 months and it is Corcoran, allied now with Delaney, forcing Fahy out for, incredibly, inadequate minute-taking at board meetings. In the

by-election that followed, Cody finally took his place at the top table. And now, significantly, he is part of the three-man sub-committee that will investigate the allegations against Rooney. Revenge on a silver platter.Still, the old cocky Delaney doesn’t show any sign of resurfacing. The shows of bravado have been missing since the World Cup when details emerged that Mick McCarthy had been given a £100,000 bonus to ensure he signed a new contract. A war subsequently broke out in which it was alleged that Delaney had offered McCarthy the bonus in an attempt to discredit general secretary Brendan Menton, something he strongly denied.
Taken to task by both Menton and McCarthy’s agent, Liam Gaskin, Delaney had to survive several fractious board and council meetings before he finally rode clear of the mess. The doleful figure that returned from London the night Brian Kerr was given the sanction (Delaney was out-voted 2-1 in that by Corcoran and Fahy) was so far removed from the grinning figure of 2002 that it was easy to think Delaney had lost his nerve for the fight.



Instead, he merely regrouped and reconstituted himself. Delaney doesn’t do public pronouncements anymore, but what he has said in the past can now be dragged up to pose serious questions of him. On Genesis his words of 2002 are of particular interest. “This is a huge opportunity to change Irish football forever,” Delaney said. “If these recommendations are not implemented in full in one year I will be out of this place. End of story.”

Well, Alistair Gray, who wrote the report, was damning in his assessment of the FAI’s progress last week so why, Delaney’s antagonists are entitled to ask, hasn’t the treasurer’s letter of resignation fallen on Rooney’s desk? Delaney plays the game a different way, though. Mostly, he plays it well. He was Rooney’s greatest advocate when the initial cleaning-up operation needed to be done post-Genesis, but he fell out with the chief executive on the issue of Buckley, appointed by his father back in 1996, getting the post of finance director.

Why Delaney’s faction are so insistent that Buckley should be appointed to the job is a question being asked by Rooney’s supporters. If Buckley is so well qualified for the job, then why do they seem reluctant to let him take his chance in an open contest with other applicants? Rooney maintains that it is for this reason, and not alleged shortcomings in his management style, that he has been targeted so savagely for the guillotine. He is partially justified in thinking so.

Back in 2002 Delaney scoffed at suggestions that he had ambitions to be chief executive. He probably enjoys as much influence now as he would in the top job, yet not everyone would be convinced by his denials. If he does covet Rooney’s job then, sooner or later, Delaney will have to push himself forward in the present dispute and it is then that things might hasten to a speedy, potentially bloody, conclusion.

For Delaney, it will be either the conclusion of a 10-year crusade or the time he finally falls on the blade his enemies have been sharpening for years.








--------------------

[Steviewonder]

Delaney will elect himself.

M. Noreiga; 'Nicaraguans are Free!'
P. Doc Duvallier; ' There are no death squads'
J. Stalin; 'All are equal in my Russia'
G. W Bush; ' While govenor of Texas, I didnt spend all my time just executing slightly backward African Americans. I done colored in pictures in my Barney book too!'
J.Delaney; 'I'm in Charge'

Criminals all.

[1MickCollins]

M. Noreiga; 'Nicaraguans are Free!'
P. Doc Duvallier; ' There are no death squads'
J. Stalin; 'All are equal in my Russia'
G. W Bush; ' While govenor of Texas, I didnt spend all my time just executing slightly backward African Americans. I done colored in pictures in my Barney book too!'
J.Delaney; 'I'm in Charge'

Criminals all.

Give me GWB any day over the double-talking French & Germans. Afganistan, Iraq, next stop France...

[drummerboy]

Interesting to see that the FAI had a meeting with John O’Donoghue yesterday. O’Donoghue more or less told them to implement Genesis or suffer the consequences. He hinted that they wanted to appoint the new CEO from within the FAI but were told it would not be acceptable to the Government. It will be interesting to see if Delaney wants the job so much the he will be prepared to forego government funding and land the FAI in even bigger financial difficulties.

[Ozymandias]

no doubt that delaney will possibly take the job..he was originally a supporter of rooney and stood with him previously when the first phase of gen
and and the reforms for the executive were being put to the fai... Delaney holds the key but it is Corcoran who instigates all the internal rowing and back stabbing....delaney fell out with rooney but he is no buddy of corcorans...

i think the only answer is that they all get the fu*k out of the fai as long as the present incumbents are there we will be looking at these problem on an annual basis......but out of the current batch that is in there delaney is by far the best of them

it seems to be catching as well aren't the english fa looking for their third Chief in five years....

[thejollyrodger]

I not sure if the government will allow the FAI blazers to get away with this one. I read in the Irish Times today that he appointed one of his senior civil servants and has requested regular meettings to see how the progress is going.

He is holding back on FAI funding until the 4 directors have been apointed, and said that it has to be advertised externally. There are plenty of people better qualified than those clowns in the FAI so maybe there is a bit of bright light.

IMO O Donaghue is getting more hands on now and the FAI may well not get away with this one !!

[Robinski]

From Today's Indo

Delaney set for hot seat as O'Donoghue issues warning

HONORARY Treasurer John Delaney is likely to emerge as the new supremo of the Football Association of Ireland in the wake of Chief Executive Fran Rooney's resignation.

Although Honorary Secretary Michael Cody has taken over the responsibility for the day to day running of the association, Delaney is being strongly tipped to become the next chief executive, possibly on an interim basis, as the FAI bids to mend its relationship with the Government by finally implementing the Genesis Report.

The association is also likely to make a formal approach to its former Planning and Development Manager John Byrne, who resigned earlier this year, in a bid to attract him back into the fold.

Byrne was instrumental in developing a close relationship between the Government and the association and it is felt that his return would help towards restoring cordial relations between the two bodies.

The extent of the breakdown in the association's relationship with the Government was shown yesterday afternoon when Delaney, Cody and President Milo Corcoran were summonsed to the Department of Sport and told in no uncertain terms by Minister John O'Donoghue that the FAI had to quickly get their house in order.

"I expect all of the hatchets to be buried and to stay buried so that we can move on in partnership in the interests of Irish soccer," the Minister told the Irish Independent last night.

"We cannot do so unless there is goodwill on all sides and unless there is a professional arrangement between the professionals running the organisation and the board of the FAI itself."

The Minister told the FAI delegation that he wants to see somebody quickly assume the role of chief executive and immediately instigate an open and transparent process to fill the four key director posts recommended in the Genesis Report.

Although he has steadfastly refused in the past to be considered for the position, Delaney is likely to come under pressure in the coming days to at least take the post on a temporary basis.

There is a growing feeling within FAI circles that having bid adieu to their third chief executive in four years the association will struggle to recruit a high calibre person to the €250,000 per annum post until it shows that it has transformed itself into a professional organisation.

So they are looking increasingly likely to turn to Delaney to at least allow them to move away from recent events that culminated in the departure of Rooney.

It is believed his appointment will find favour in Government circles as well as among the staff in Merrion Square.

The association has been left in no doubt by Minister O'Donoghue that he and his Government colleagues are taking an extremely dim view of the FAI's failure to implement Genesis in full, two years after it was unveiled.

"The FAI at this point needs to have a very strong, united management structure to ensure that the responsibilities which they have taken on can be managed and delivered successfully.

"In that context, the implement of Genesis is absolutely crucial and there can be no more foot dragging on it," said the Minister.

During his meeting with the FAI officers yesterday the Minister revealed that he has appointed a top civil servant to the liaison committee, which was set up to monitor the implementation of the Genesis Report.

Con Haugh is the assistant secretary in the Department of Sport and is also chairman of the Campus Sports Ireland and his appointment shows that the Minister means business.

Neither did the Minister beat around the bush when he explained the gravity of the position the FAI now find themselves in.

"The disharmony within the FAI is having an effect on our own efforts to secure funding for the FAI and it is also having an adverse effect on public morale and the confidence of the public is fast ebbing out.

"We have spent about €610 million on sport in Ireland since 1997 of which the FAI has received its fair share, so we are entitled to expect at this point that the disarray within the FAI itself would end."

The FAI is currently involved with the Government in relation to a number of projects including Genesis, Lansdowne Road, Abbotstown, UEFA licensing, the Capital Sports Programme and the Technical Plan.

"We are committed to the developments and we are interested in working in partnership with them to ensure that all the developments take place.

"For their part they will have to illustrate the same degree of professionalism and performance that their international team has done on a regular basis over the past number of months.

"I pointed out to them that this is the third CEO to go in four years and that this in turn has a considerable impact on the finances of the organisation, funding which should really be invested in development of the game itself.
"Often we end up trying to fill the vacuum, which results from their resources being dissipated into something else.

"While I acknowledged the voluntary nature of their work and their commitment in that regard, I told them that things could never be the same again," stressed the Minister.

The FAI formally announced yesterday morning that Rooney had tendered his resignation with effect from Friday after a deal was done over the weekend by legal representatives from both sides.

The deal was approved on Monday night when the eight remaining directors of the association met with their legal advisers in Dublin.

President Milo Corcoran thanked Rooney for his contribution during his 18 months in charge of the organisation and wished him well in the future.
Rooney, who officially leaves his post tomorrow, thanked his supporters and expressed his continuing commitment to Irish football.

"I will always be committed to football in Ireland," he said.

"I thank all those who worked with me in the past 18 months. I am also grateful to the people who expressed their support for me."

The board is now expected to meet early next week to commence the process to find Rooney's replacement.

Gerry McDermott

[Cowboy]

Lord help us, the lunatics have taken over the asylum