FAI: One Galway team enough

Galway should have only one League of Ireland team according to a report commissioned by the FAI.

Former South Tipperary County Manager Ned O’Connor has made this recommendation and is being backed by top FAI officials.

Yesterday the FAI held a meeting with officials from the Galway FA, Mervue United, Salthill Devon, and Galway United Supporters Trust.

FAI Chief Executive Officer John Delaney wants to implement the recommendations in the coming year: “We will get one shot at it and we want to implement it correctly. Possibly there will be a Galway representation next year, but it will probably be the year after. It is probably more a probability for the season after next. A strong club in Galway is of national interest.

“For the implementation phase everybody will be asked to present two individuals. We will assist them and if we could get people from Galway with a business background involved that would be good. I’d like an independent chairman.

“We have to get everybody to agree to work under the same structure.

If it is a new entity, a new club, there are a whole range of things to be done. I want to make sure we do it right. If we go at it too quickly it could be a false dawn. I felt in the room tonight for the first time that all the stakeholders felt that everybody had to come to the table to make it right once and for all.

“Any entity can apply to play in the First Division next season. What is more important is that we get a strategy in place to implemented the findings.”