Book of Genesis finally closes for FAI

THE Football Association of Ireland yesterday closed the book of Genesis after the Scottish consultants told the Association that all improvements as part of the Genesis World Cup review had been completed.

Genesis the consultancy firm recruited by the FAI to examine their procedures in the wake of the 2002 World Cup when Roy Keane walked out and complaints about a lack of preparation were deafening were asked to examine the progress made by the Association in January of this year.

Their summary was that the FAI should move forward and "draw the line under Genesis 2002."

Chief Executive Officer John Delaney described the news as "extremely positive for the organisation" but insisted that further work needs to be done.

"I think in sense, we got stuck on these four boxes under the previous document. As organisations change, you're management structures do change so we have to be fluid. We're about continuous improvement."

Delaney was the driving force behind the commissioning of the Genesis Review and even threatened to resign if it was not fully implemented. Looking back, Delaney admits that some areas of the review took longer than was necessary.

"There are three sides to Genesis. The first side was the voluntary side of the game, the reform of our committee structure but more importantly the reduction of the board size from 22, or 23 at the time, to ten. That didn't take long.

"The increased planning and preparation of the senior international team was recognised and that has been done for quite a period of time.

The last part was the executive side of the FAI the organisational structure which we've put together over the period but also the day-to-day executive driving forward of the organisation.

"That took a little bit longer than it should, but I'm pleased to say we're now set up for that going forward."

Genesis offered a number of further recommendations including keeping the management structure of the eircom League separate to the FAI if the two organisations merge and the setting up of an International Committee to constantly evaluate Ireland's performance on the world stage.

Meanwhile, the Association filled the final recommendation of the 2002 Genesis Review with the appointment of new finance director Mark O'Leary yesterday.

O'Leary has a wide range of experience having worked in Britain over the last 20 years and was recently financial director at Autobar, a major food company in Britain.

O'Leary started in his new role yesterday, with former financial controller Peter Buckley moving to become commercial director, and his brief will be to raise the significant finance required to fund the Technical Development Plan, redevelopment of Lansdowne Road and proposed national coaching academy.

The association currently has an annual turnover of 25 million though it is required to cough up 33 million to fund the development of Lansdowne Road which O'Leary believes can be raised through the sale of corporate boxes and long-term seat purchases for the new ground.

Elsewhere, the FAI's Technical Department and Club Licensing Department have been relocated to a 5,000 square foot office at Dublin Airport as space constraints continue to be a problem for the FAI at their Merrion Square HQ.

The Association still hope to move to Abbotstown with plans for a new headquarters and national academy and are eagerly awaiting Government approval for the project.

"It's a matter for the Government. These things are always about timing," said Delaney. "We waited on the stadium project and we'll certainly wait on the Abbotstown project, but we're certainly hopeful to get a positive decision at some stage.

"It's important for us as an organisation that we get our own home and our own technical academy which is important in this day and age."