Charlie O'Leary still giving time and taking pleasure from the game he loves

O'Leary was named as the 21st recipient of the FAI's Special Award this week

One of the great frustrations and misfortunes to arise from the FAI's long history of conflict is the fact that it has so often overshadowed the trojan work contributed to Irish football by an extraordinary legion of ordinary souls up and down the country.

Charlie O'Leary was named as the 21st recipient of the association's Special Award on Thursday but the moment was lost amid the latest bout of internal wrangling, this time between the body's elected board members on one side and it's interim CEO and chairperson on the other.