HE spent almost 30 years making a name for himself in the game’s boardrooms — the last five sitting at the head of the FAI’s table — but the temptation to label him as a ‘football man’ doesn’t sit comfortably on Bernard O’Byrne’s shoulders.

IT’S a case of contrasting fortunes on the venue front for Irish football, with Barcelona officially ruled out as the location for Ireland’s game against Andorra in October but Shamrock Rovers thrown a lifeline which means they still hope to stage their Europa League games in Tallaght.

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has announced insurance broker First Ireland is to continue to sponsor the Athletic Union League for another five years, following its first five-year sponsorship deal.

Former FAI chief executive Bernard O’Byrne has been appointed chief executive of St Patrick’s Athletic.

FAI officials are adamant the Genesis report will be fully implemented, in spite of the resignation of chief executive Fran Rooney.