Dolan welcomes talks on FAI and League merger

THERE was a broad welcome for the series of discussions on the proposed merger between the FAI and the eircom National League by Cork City manager Pat Dolan last night.

Six representatives of the League met with FAI chief, Fran Rooney, in Dublin to tease out the terms of the proposal he made last week to a meeting of all 22 National League clubs. His proposals at the time led to the resignation of the League’s chairman, Brendan Dillon, and general manager, Tommy Allen.

The League’s treasurer, Declan O Luanaigh, filled one of the gaps by offering to act as chairman until the League AGM on Saturday, February 7. He led the League’s delegation at yesterday’s meeting with the FAI and with him was the acting general manager, Michael Hayes, three representatives of Premier Division clubs and three from the First Division.