Delaney gives Sligo €5k for home comfort

FAI chief executive John Delaney showed he had a big heart yesterday, pledging €5,000 to Sligo Rovers to assist in their bid to host their upcoming Europa League game on their own Showgrounds home ground.

The Sligo venue currently fails to meet UEFA criteria for a third round tie due to issues involving pitch length, floodlighting and the fact that the ground has a seated capacity of less than the required 4,500.

An alternative option for Paul Cook’s men is to play the game at Tallaght Stadium but Delaney is determined the game — which could see Sligo face Spanish side Atletico Madrid, Italian outfit Palermo or Dutch side AZ Alkmaar — will go ahead in Sligo.

“I am making a personal gesture with my donation because I know how important it is for Sligo to have this game,’’ Delaney told RTÉ yesterday.

DELANEY added: “We want the game here, it’s important the club host the game here and we’ll be doing anything we can do to make sure that happens.

“That’s not a lot to ask UEFA for in my opinion and we’ll do all we can to support the club. It’s great to have Tallaght but Sligo Rovers are based here.’’

Delaney confirmed the FAI have requested a dispensation from UEFA over stadium requirements.

“We’ve looked for a derogation together with Sligo Rovers to host the game here,’’ he said.

“The type of the seating we’re discussing with Sligo may be about four or five hundred short of the amount needed. There is also a cost factor where it might need €30,000 to €40,000 to do.

‘‘We’ve had our facilities department talking to UEFA on behalf of the club on these matters.’’

Meanwhile Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given could be set to join Aston Villa.

Given lost his place as Manchester City number one to Joe Hart at the beginning of last season and is desperate for regular first-team football.

And according to reports in Britain last night, the Donegal man has been lined up by new Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish to replace Brad Friedel who joined Tottenham at the beginning of the month.

Last night bookmakers suspended betting on Given making the move from Eastlands to Villa Park with the size of the transfer fee being seen as the only potential stumbling block to a deal.