The John Delaney Thread

**ArdeeBhoy** · 01/10/2014, 1:49 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I bought the uk edition of today's Sindo with no magazine, which apparently had a feature on JD. All I saw on JD in the main paper was the bit about his new girlfriend. "We're not seeking publicity at all, no, no, no. It's just that people are yapping". Yeah right.

Was at a do with the pair of them on Saturday, managed to avoid even making eye contact with JD, even though he was feted by rather too many and was also the subject of additional gossip which won't repeat here.
Did however, tell one half-decent story during a short speech he gave, which for the time being escapes me...

**Stuttgart88** · 01/10/2014, 9:00 AM

Was that the ROISSC anniversary do?

**paul_oshea** · 01/10/2014, 9:27 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Was Delaney married before?

Ya he had 2 young kids, makes me think you sound surprised.

THey were together as recently as the bulgaria home game.

Yes it was stutts.

**bennocelt** · 01/10/2014, 9:37 AM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Was at a do with the pair of them on Saturday, managed to avoid even making eye contact with JD, even though he was feted by rather too many and was also the subject of additional gossip which won't repeat here.
Did however, tell one half-decent story during a short speech he gave, which for the time being escapes me...

Yeah the ole ole brigade no doubt, ha

**Kingdom** · 01/10/2014, 9:52 AM

I can't stand that man. I appreciate that some of his commercial dealings have been impressive, but I just cannot stand listening to him.
I should say I wrote that halfway through.
I don't want to hear three times that his Grandfather fought for the IRA. Both my Grandfathers fought for the IRA, but most men of a certain age did.

He then says he is pro-media and will answer any questions, yet two minutes later whinges about being asked about his salary.
He slipped up saying he didn't pay attention to the interest rate when they were re-negotiating.

Hugh Cahill either was under orders not to push certain questions, or he was unable to communicate his questions properly, because he is audibly sighing, or just downright doesn't believe some of the responses he is getting.

It would have been a perfect time to ask Delaney about the Sunday Indo piece, the necessity of it, and the link as a result of Dinny's control of INM.

**Stuttgart88** · 01/10/2014, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Ya he had 2 young kids, makes me think you sound surprised.

THey were together as recently as the bulgaria home game.

Yes it was stutts.

No, wasn't surprised. The question was really seeking confirmation rather than expecting otherwise.

Thanks for letting me know you were going.

I wouldn't have gone though as I had a half marathon the next morning and was hoping to run well.

**Stuttgart88** · 01/10/2014, 1:03 PM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

I can't stand that man. I appreciate that some of his commercial dealings have been impressive, but I just cannot stand listening to him.
I should say I wrote that halfway through.
I don't want to hear three times that his Grandfather fought for the IRA. Both my Grandfathers fought for the IRA, but most men of a certain age did.

He then says he is pro-media and will answer any questions, yet two minutes later whinges about being asked about his salary.
He slipped up saying he didn't pay attention to the interest rate when they were re-negotiating.

Hugh Cahill either was under orders not to push certain questions, or he was unable to communicate his questions properly, because he is audibly sighing, or just downright doesn't believe some of the responses he is getting.

It would have been a perfect time to ask Delaney about the Sunday Indo piece, the necessity of it, and the link as a result of Dinny's control of INM.

I found myself largely sympathetic to a large amount of what he said.

The evasion / lack of transparency is obviously a pretty important negative, of course.

Where I was particularly sympathetic - as many of you will guess - was the silly comparison to Irish rugby. Without the Heineken Cup Irish rugby would lose all its best players abroad and the public will be less satisfied with the product. The economics and institutional arrangements in rugby are so far removed from those of European football that comparisons are ridiculous.

I do agree with his point that the FAI is a better organisation than it was a decade ago. I also agree that the LOI is more sensibly run than it was. I agree to an extent that the clubs can't rely on the FAI and that they have to help themselves and build bridges to schoolboy football. I agreed with his defence of certain clubs' facilities and their support. I've been genuinely impressed by the LOI's top five clubs this season and think there is a great foundation for something better.

What is impossible to ignore though is the suspicion that, as in all walks of life, he is treating his office as some form of entitlement and vehicle that satisfies his own self-interest. Politics, big business, it's all the same. It's hard not to think he's being disingenuous wrt the awkward issues.

**paul_oshea** · 01/10/2014, 7:49 PM

Stutts I was NFI too. Had asked for tickets and the person never got back to me.

Was all charlies ybig mates so didn't miss too much :P

**ArdeeBhoy** · 01/10/2014, 11:03 PM

Originally Posted by bennocelt

Yeah the ole ole brigade no doubt, ha

They weren't/aren't, but some of them should really know better.

**bennocelt** · 02/10/2014, 4:09 AM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

They weren't/aren't, but some of them should really know better.

The cult of personality. Were many selfies taken?

**ArdeeBhoy** · 02/10/2014, 8:47 AM

Far too many. But that dick encouraged him, but as I said a few salacious rumours doing the rounds...

**bennocelt** · 02/10/2014, 9:14 AM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Far too many. But that dick encouraged him, but as I said a few salacious rumours doing the rounds...

Now you have to message me then later, ha

**ArdeeBhoy** · 02/10/2014, 10:08 AM

Already posted elsewhere on social media...

(Not mine, btw!)

**Deckydee** · 02/10/2014, 10:54 AM

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news...-30632101.html

**Stuttgart88** · 02/10/2014, 11:00 AM

What a cop out by Treacy. This is a perfect opportunity to scrutinise the whole governance of the FAI, not just the club landscape. Any what does he mean by "the club structure is weaker"?

The FAI deserves plaudits for a lot of what it does, such as the areas Treacy pointed out, but the real question that has to be asked is whether the institutional structure of the FAI and Irish football is achieving all its aims. Treacy seems to be very complacent on this point, as does the PAC.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 02/10/2014, 11:01 AM

Hmm.
http://www.irishpost.co.uk/sport/joh...allback-option

**geysir** · 02/10/2014, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

What a cop out by Treacy. This is a perfect opportunity to scrutinise the whole governance of the FAI, not just the club landscape. Any what does he mean by "the club structure is weaker"?

The FAI deserves plaudits for a lot of what it does, such as the areas Treacy pointed out, but the real question that has to be asked is whether the institutional structure of the FAI and Irish football is achieving all its aims. Treacy seems to be very complacent on this point, as does the PAC.

I think Treacy is not in a position to comment publicly about Delaney's salary or the points you mention. The context of Treacy's supportive comments about the FAI were him as Sports Council rep facing down the Dail Public Accounts Committee, who have the clout to recommend cuts in public sports funding. Treacy's job is to secure sports funding and justify the usage of that funding in the face of attempts to water it down.