Delaney 'delighted' with permanent Chief Executive role

AS WAS widely anticipated, John Delaney is the new Chief Executive of the Football Association of Ireland. Sports Minister John O'Donoghue has welcomed his appointment, describing the selection process as "fair, open and transparent."

The news came at the end of a week during which eight applicants from an original list of 40 had been interviewed for the job.

On his way to Limerick for a meeting with the local Schoolboys League yesterday, Delaney said he was "delighted" with the appointment. He added that he had spoken to his father Joe, a former Treasurer of the association - and he was "very proud."

Delaney had been made interim Chief Executive of the Association at the start of December in the wake of the controversial departure of former CEO Fran Rooney. At the time, the Sports Minister had insisted that the FAI publicly advertise the position of CEO or else face a cut-off in funding. Senior Department official Con Haugh was subsequently appointed to the FAI/Irish Sports Council Liaison group and was also one of the five-man panel which interviewed candidates for the permanent post.

A Department of Sport official said yesterday: "The Minister welcomes John Delaney's appointment. The primary concern of the Minister was to ensure that there would be a fair, open and transparent process and we've had that. So now he wishes John the very best in his new and challenging role."

Adding to Delaney's status as favourite for the job was the fact that, during his three months in the interim position, he had overseen a number of good news stories for the embattled Association, including new sponsorship deals, the awarding of club licenses and a much improved relationship with the Government.

"Hopefully we can build on the successes of the last three months," he said. "This appointment gives me a permanency and mandate to move forward. Priorities I'll be looking at include the development of the game in terms of the community, the Technical Development Plan and the stadium project. We also need to constantly engage with all our partners including sponsors, Government, the general public and our supporters."

Milo Corcoran, the President of the FAI, welcomed Delaney's appointment, saying: "Great progress has been made over the past three months and I am looking forward to that progress continuing under John Delaney."

Meanwhile, the selection process for the FAI Finance Director is expected to begin in the coming weeks.