St Patrick’s Athletic in scathing FAI critique
After the FAI publicly declared the rejection “extraordinary” on Saturday, the board of the League of Ireland club, owned by benefactor Garrett Kelleher, launched a full-scale critique on the association’s governance of the domestic league.
St Pat’s became the second top-flight club to snub the offer of up to €5,000 in grant aid towards devising a five-year plan, after Derry City branded it “disgraceful and disrespectful”.
Crucially, though, the Saints didn’t signal their intention to withdraw from the Premier Clubs Association (PCA), a body that has nominated respected barrister Michael Cush to represent their interests in talks with the FAI.
While the association cited in their statement the support of Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers, Cork City, Bohemians, and Galway United in continuing the negotiations, that is not a clear indication they all agree with the derisory funding gesture.
What’s known for sure is Frank Kinsella, general manager for St Pat’s, joined delegates from Bray Wanderers and Sligo Rovers in accompanying Cush to talks with the FAI’s chief executive John Delaney two weeks ago.
Whether the €100,000 funding pot discussed that day in Clonmel was considered any offer or an acceptance by all clubs remains the kernel of the rancour which ensued in the days after the FAI unveiled the venture at their annual general meeting.
“Our general manager behaved absolutely appropriately,” assert the St Pat’s hierarchy.
“If the FAI considers a process where an executive brings proposals to his board for discussion and decision as “extraordinary”, then that is a reflection on the way in which the FAI conducts its business, not on St Patrick’s Athletic.”
The Inchicore club, who have won the league, FAI Cup, and EA Sports Cup over the past three seasons, outlined their anger at the pedestrian pace of disclosures from the FAI since the Conroy Report was announced last September.
“Our game is in crisis. Ten months since we brought our issues forward nothing material has happened. To demonstrate its commitment the PCA appointed senior counsel Michael Cush to lead its engagement with the FAI but, to date, his efforts have been largely rebuffed.”
Meanwhile, Cork City can cut the gap on league leaders Dundalk to three points, and still have with a game in hand, should they beat Sligo Rovers tonight at Turner’s Cross (7.45pm).
Galway’s defeat of Dundalk on Friday provides John Caulfield’s side the opportunity of making headway towards denying the Lilywhites a third title on the spin.
“I think our supporters can see that the league title is up for grabs,” said Caulfield. “We are right in there and, with a big crowd behind us every week, we need to win all of our home games, starting against Sligo.”
Sean Maguire, Alan Bennett, and Steven Beattie — three integral players in their European exploits — are injury doubts.
“It has been a very intense six weeks and we intend making a couple of changes,” said Caulfield, wary of a Sligo side coming into the tie on the back of their biggest win of the season, the 5-0 thumping of Wexford Youths on Friday. New signing Achille Campion leads the attack again.
Elsewhere, Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic meet at Tallaght Stadium in the semi-final of the EA Sports Cup (7.45pm).
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