Limerick brought proceedings against the FAI over the association's alleged failure to invite it to apply for a licence to play in the League of Ireland First Division during the 2020 season.

The FAI have said they are waiting on a UEFA report on betting patterns surrounding Limerick's 3-2 win over Cobh Ramblers on Saturday.

Against the backdrop of the current turmoil at the FAI, the hope has been widely expressed that reform of the Association will see more support and prominence given to the League of Ireland.

The FAI’s director of competitions Fran Gavin has said that staff have been “rattled” and the association “rocked” by the crisis in Abbotstown.

Following UEFA’s decision that Waterford are not eligible to play in this season’s Europa League, chairman and owner Lee Power has alleged that, in their bid to get the necessary European licence, the club was “totally misled” by the FAI.

Niall Quinn, spearheading plans to revamp domestic football, has had a second meeting with FAI Competitions Director Fran Gavin, and now hopes that the group the former Irish international represents will soon be in a position to put its proposals formally to the association.

From Stephen Kenny’s legacy, Cork City’s purse strings, restless Rovers and Waterford’s renaissance to growing attendances, broadcasting changes and Niall Quinn’s plans — Martin Claffey chews on 12 hot topics ahead of the new League of Ireland campaign.

Niall Quinn has described his recent meeting with League of Ireland Director Fran Gavin as “very positive” but insisted that the FAI need to be open to alternative ideas about the future shape of the domestic game.

League of Ireland champions Dundalk will begin their title defence against Sligo Rovers at home on Friday, February 15.

Being in Ireland for July, I got to see some hurling and follow Limerick as they marched into the All-Ireland. Reading the programme for the Limerick v Kilkenny All-Ireland, one page stood out. It was a full page on a GAA campaign called “Reduce the Odds”.

MC Con Murphy was drawing a panel discussion to a close at the end of the SSE Airtricity League 2018 launch at the Aviva Stadium yesterday when one of his guests politely asked if he could make one additional point.

The ability of Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane to complete their mission to deliver World Cup qualification next year could have a bearing on whether the FAI will be rid of its debts by 2020, according to John Delaney.

FAI Director of Competitions Fran Gavin claims the investment in Athlone Town is indicative of overseas owners seeking the scale of success in Europe enjoyed by Dundalk.

Roy Keane has said that League of Ireland players should be inspired by the example of Daryl Horgan, Andy Boyle, and Gary Rogers breaking into the Ireland squad while playing with champions Dundalk last season.

Maybe it’s just as well the League of Ireland top brass have yet to ratify the branding report unveiled yesterday as the elements contained ranged from the impractical to the ridiculous.

The Football Association of Ireland has finalised the venue for Dundalk's Champions League Play-Off Round qualifier.

In a League of Ireland sector beset by short-termism, the FAI are offering clubs up to €5,000 each to formulate a plan charting a five-year strategy.

The SSE Airtricity League takes a big step this evening into stopping players stealing small steps at set pieces, with confirmation vanishing spray will be used in the Premier Division and First Division.

The record books will forever enshrine Mark Farren’s impact at Derry City as a golden boot for the ages. And since goals were his business, that’s how it should be.

The FAI is seeking feedback from clubs, fans, the media and other interested groups on the future of the League of Ireland. 

There’ll be a new name in the SSE Airtricity League next season after Cabinteely FC were awarded a First Division licence.

Cork City have another trophy in the bag ahead of their penultimate league game of the season tomorrow night against Bohemians, with the club’s home ground Turner’s Cross winning the Pitch of the Year Award.

SSE Airtricity League Director Fran Gavin has revealed Bohemians will escape sanction for Monday’s disastrous Dublin derby postponement against Shamrock Rovers.

Fran Gavin, the director of the SSE Airtricity League, has challenged the new female soccer entity in Cork — and their male counterparts — to reach the Champions League in the coming years.

Keeping things in perspective is what Fran Gavin does. Charged with running the SSE Airtricity League, he has mastered the art of standing back and looking at the big picture.

The FAI will today open a confidential telephone line as part of its increased vigilance to protect the integrity of football in Ireland.

FAI chief executive John Delaney has cautioned that Ireland’s second seeding for next month’s Euro 2016 draw is a help — but not a guaranteed ticket — to reaching the finals in France.

Cork City will host defending champions St Patrick’s Athletic in their opening game of the new Airtricity League Premier Division season on Friday March 7.

Entrapment might not always be the most admirable, let alone efficient, way to snare villains — dirty tricks have a habit of leaving all hands unclean — but there was something entirely apposite about this week’s Daily Telegraph sting operation which exposed alleged match-fixing in English football.

The FAI yesterday vowed to continue working with the authorities to counteract what they describe as the biggest threat to the game — match-fixing.

Fran Gavin is adamant the FAI will be staying out of the dispute between Waterford United and Stephen Henderson.

Airtricity League director Fran Gavin has revealed that a sophisticated overseas betting syndicate initiated the incident which led to Colm James last week receiving an 18-month ban from football.

The FAI are treating the allegations of match-fixing which have seen a player suspended by Longford Town as a “very serious issue” pending the outcome of investigations by both the club and the association.

John O’Sullivan was standing guard beside the First Division trophy as the launch of the Airtricity League 2013 season drew to a close in the Aviva Stadium yesterday.

Airtricity League director Fran Gavin says that while it would be “naive” to think Irish football couldn’t become a target for match-fixing, he is confident that, thus far, the problem has not taken root in this country.

Cobh Ramblers are on course to end their four-year absence from the Airtricity League after the league’s director Fran Gavin yesterday confirmed discussions with the club are progressing well.

The Airtricity League Premier Division will retain its 12-team structure for the 2013 season, the FAI have confirmed.

The FAI have responded with surprise to Monaghan United’s statement that the club received no assistance from soccer’s governing body before their demise in June.

UEFA are probing irregular betting patterns surrounding Friday’s Airtricity Premier Division clash between Shelbourne and Monaghan.

Cobh Ramblers and Tralee Dynamos have reacted with dismay and disappointment to the news that, in all probability, they won’t be in the Airtricity League First Division this season.

THERE were plenty of household names, old friends, familiar faces and League of Ireland veterans in the Aviva Stadium the other night for the launch of a new book about the FAI Cup.