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FAI chief cxecutive, John Delaney. Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Banners, tickets and more - John Delaney holds 'clear-the-air' talks with Irish supporter groups

There’s ‘still plenty of work to do but a real desire was shown from all to get back on track’ according to one fans group.

FAI CHIEF JOHN Delaney says he had nothing to do with the confiscation of flags protesting his position within Irish football’s governing body and admits mistakes have been made securing tickets for travelling fans.

Delaney met with a number of influential supporter groups on Thursday night in what were described as positive talks by one fans group.

The Irish Sun report that the Association chief asked them to ‘draw a line in the sand’ with regards to the criticism of his reign.

The 51-year-old had been faced with mounting pressure as Martin O’Neill’s tenure as Ireland manager drew to a close last month.

Ahead of what turned out to be O’Neill’s final match in charge against Denmark in Aarhus, some fans had claimed that protest flags emblazoned with the slogan ‘#DelaneyOut’ had been confiscated by Danish officials as they entered the stadium.

Mick McCarthy and John Delaney Ireland manager, Mick McCarthy (left) alongside FAI chief, John Delaney. Tommy Dickson / INPHO Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO

Similar accusations have been levelled against the FAI – more recently ahead of a game in Belgrade at the beginning of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

“I had nothing to do with banners,” he told supporters in quotes reported by The Sun. “You’d swear I know everything about everything that goes on in the organisation.

I am the CEO but I can’t be responsible for everything. I can’t be aware of everything. I was asked before the game was I involved and I said I knew nothing about it.”

Delaney also addressed ticket issues ahead of their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign opener away to Gibraltar next March.

It was confirmed on Wednesday that 500 tickets would be made available to fans travelling to the 2,300-seater Victoria Stadium, but Delaney said he was hopeful of securing a further 300 tickets for travelling support.

“I’ve spoken to Gibraltar today and yesterday. We’ll probably get 800 out of them,” he said.

I got on with them. It’s a personal thing. The first thing to do is try to bag the 800. I don’t think we’ll have too much of a problem with the hardcore [fans getting tickets].”

In a statement today, Ballybrack Seagulls supporters group, whose members attended the meeting on Thursday night say they was ‘still plenty of work to do but a real desire was shown from all to get back on track’.

It read: “An open meeting of many of Ireland’s hardcore travelling support took place in the Orchard Stillorgan on Thursday evening.

“The meeting was facilitated by Wayne O’Sullivan – a member of Ireland’s largest supporters club, Ballybrack Seagulls, on the back of some divisions within the Irish supporters.

“The agenda was to give all in attendance a platform to air any grievances they had that would block unity within the fan base. Invited and in attendance were the FAI CEO John Delaney and the FAI head of security Joe McGlue .

“All areas of Irish football were discussed and questions were put to John and Joe. Both were comfortable to give their side of events. Clarity was given to all concerns and FAI staff happily addressed any queries from the fans.

Satisfactory guarantees were given to work towards and tremendous trust and respect was formed to give foundation to more similar meetings planned in the near future.

“With the change in management team/coaching structures of the FAI in the past week , the goal of all the like-minded fans present was to come together and unite and use the months before our next competitive fixture as a way to rebuild bonds, come together and join forces that would result in our world-renowned fans being on the same page once the first match against Gibraltar rolls around.

A general appreciation from all present was the common outcome of the fans from Thursday, clarity was given and slates wiped clean.

“Still plenty of work to do but a real desire was shown from all to get back on track and continue to do what we do best and that’s supporting our beloved nation in foreign stadia world wide, together.”

Murray Kinsella, Gavan Casey and Andy Dunne preview a big weekend of Heineken Cup action and dissect the week’s main talking points.


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    Mute David peate
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    Dec 8th 2018, 1:14 PM

    #delaneyout

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    Mute Shaun Gallagher
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    Dec 8th 2018, 1:16 PM

    @David peate: he’s definitely not worth being in the job anymore it at least he’s gone out to meet his protesters. Don’t see many TD’s or ministers doing it

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    Mute Michael Cunningham
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    Dec 8th 2018, 2:15 PM

    How can Delaney personally appointment Staunton, Trap, MON and remain in the job completely unopposed?

    Why is his salary €360k + expenses but the prize for winning the League of Ireland is just €110k?

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    Mute Sean Conway
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    Dec 8th 2018, 2:29 PM

    @Michael Cunningham: The way the FAI is set up he can do as he pleases. they tried to change it a few years ago and failed.

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    Mute Michael Cunningham
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    Dec 8th 2018, 2:33 PM

    Look at where the FAI was when Delaney took over and where it is now.

    Compare that to what Irish Rugby has done in the last 15 years. The national team, grassroots, revenue, turnover. From nowhere they now outperform the FAI in EVERY possible way.

    Delaney is a disgrace and an utter failure. What is keeping him in power? A shaved monkey could do better.

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    Mute Mr Mystery
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    Dec 8th 2018, 3:56 PM

    @David peate: someone posted his salary there earlier…is that a joke or is it actually real?

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    Mute Mr Mystery
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    Dec 8th 2018, 3:57 PM

    @David peate: someone posted a salary figure there earlier, is that a joke or is it for real?

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    Mute Fiach Moriarty
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    Dec 8th 2018, 5:10 PM

    @Michael Cunningham: on the managers issue, Trap and O’Neill both qualified us for major tournaments, which was their brief. So, other than Staunton, they could be deemed successful before the wheels came off for them.

    His salary and the paltry reward money for winners of LOI and FAI Cup are a far bigger issue for me.

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    Mute Martin O Donnell
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    Dec 8th 2018, 5:29 PM

    @Mr Mystery: it’s real I think with expenses he clearly more than 500k

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    Mute Barry Zuckerkorn
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    Dec 8th 2018, 8:08 PM

    @Martin O Donnell: it’s 100% true..the way Irish football is run is a joke

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    Mute Eddie Letmon
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    Dec 8th 2018, 1:46 PM

    “FAI chief executive John Delaney has signed a bumper €1.8million deal that will keep him in charge of Irish football until 2020.”

    Yes, let’s just draw a line under that shall we Mr Delaney. Let’s compare with the highest salaries reported for the following professions:

    Nurse €57,000 p.a. €285k over 5yrs – JD x 6.3
    Consult Doctor €171k p.a. €855k o. 5yrs – x 2.1
    Teacher €60k p.a. €300k over 5yrs – JD x 6.0
    Fireman €87k p.a. €435k over 5 yrs – JD x 4.1
    Garda €46k p.a. €229k over 5 – JD x 7.8

    In fact JD gets paid slightly less than ALL of the combined above, is not professionally qualified, ‘performs’ one fifth of the conservative combine hours.

    Now Delaney – JUSTIFY YOUR FAILURE – JUSTIFY YOUR SALARY

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    Mute iohanx
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    Dec 8th 2018, 3:17 PM

    @Eddie Letmon: he doesn’t need to. It’s a cosy operation with yes men surrounding him creaming it also. There’s nothing like a few bob and some perks to hold position. Many of the generals are happy to tag along anonymously and with no responsibility.

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    Mute Darach Malone
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    Dec 8th 2018, 4:20 PM

    @Eddie Letmon: Is he not a chartered accountant?

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    Mute Eddie Letmon
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    Dec 8th 2018, 5:26 PM

    @Darach Malone: FAI boss John Delaney has revealed he is not a member of Chartered Accountants Ireland — despite often calling himself a “chartered accountant”.

    https://www.thesun.ie/archives/irish-news/222747/fai-boss-john-delaney-says-hes-not-a-member-of-chartered-accountants-ireland/

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    Mute Eddie Letmon
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    Dec 8th 2018, 5:30 PM

    @Darach Malone: He revealed: “I passed my final admittance examination for chartered accountancy after completing the previous three professional examinations and I have served my full apprenticeship. I have not applied for membership as I have not required it for my career path.

    “…as I have not required it for my career path.” So €1.8 Mill over 5 years for an unqualified ‘what’ exactly?

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    Mute Phillip O'Brien
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    Dec 9th 2018, 12:57 AM

    @Eddie Letmon: Just curious, where did you get your figures from? Some seem a trifle high.

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    Mute Eddie Letmon
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    Dec 9th 2018, 11:57 AM

    @Phillip O’Brien: Phillip, I took them from various sources on the internet, job sites, news articles etc. I took the highest reported figures as I sure the Mr Delaney would argue he‘s at the top of his ‘profession’ and should be compared likewise. That’s what makes my comments even worse.

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    Mute I get things wrong
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    Dec 8th 2018, 1:21 PM

    I get sad when I see his face.

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    Mute Acedeuce
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    Dec 8th 2018, 1:43 PM

    @I get things wrong: why does he always have this facial expression as if he’s looking to catch flies with his mouth

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    Mute Jack
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    Dec 8th 2018, 6:15 PM

    @I get things wrong: imagine his very attractive girlfriend sucks on that face

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    Mute Scorpionvenomm
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    Dec 8th 2018, 1:28 PM

    He won’t get that salary anywhere else that’s for sure.

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    Mute Pixie McMullen
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    Dec 8th 2018, 1:35 PM

    I bet ye there was a bag of cans for everyone in the audience as they left too, Fans seemed to love him for getting the drinks in the last time on a train.

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    Mute Anthony Murphy
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    Dec 8th 2018, 2:22 PM

    Gets paid more then the head of Spanish fa and all they have won, you could not make it up

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    Mute Bungee Aky
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    Dec 8th 2018, 6:07 PM

    @Anthony Murphy: and they have a competitive league

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    Mute Shawn O'Ceallaghan
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    Dec 8th 2018, 1:51 PM

    Who has the authority to remove this man?

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    Mute James Gorman #FBPE
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    Dec 8th 2018, 1:56 PM

    @Shawn O’Ceallaghan: the directors of the company of course. Not sure if JD is a director. Would seem to me to be better segregation if the CEO is not. That is not clear from their accounts which I’ve viewed. If FAI were really transparent the governance of their organisation and their annual accounts would be up on their website which they are not.

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    Mute Joseph Ruane
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    Dec 8th 2018, 6:22 PM

    @James Gorman #FBPE: on the ball as always!

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    Mute TheHeathen
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    Dec 8th 2018, 1:58 PM

    Where is the handball money John? It doesn’t really appear to be in the accounts?

    https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/fai-confirms-fifa-paid-5m-for-controversial-thierry-henry-handball-1.2238093?mode=amp

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    Mute Jane Hastie
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    Dec 8th 2018, 6:39 PM

    @TheHeathen: I would like to know too – I’ve often wondered where it went … particularly as it wasn’t Delaney who disclosed the fact, but FIFA (if I remember correctly) long after it was given.

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    Mute Tomas
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    Dec 8th 2018, 1:55 PM

    Influential support groups …WTF are these?

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    Mute John Ezekiel W. Minnock
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    Dec 8th 2018, 2:03 PM

    @Tomas: Groups he identified as a pushover for some good press. Anyone who’s willing to “wipe the slate clean” for this pr.¹.ck clearly hasn’t got the best interests of Irish soccer to the fore

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    Mute Micheal S. O' Ceilleachair
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    Dec 8th 2018, 3:48 PM

    @Tomas: and “hardcore”what are those!!!!!?

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    Mute Eddie Letmon
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    Dec 8th 2018, 2:44 PM

    “During 2016, thousands of volunteers once again invested so much of their personal time for the benefit of those who take part in our sport at every level, right across the country.

    It is the work of these volunteers – great community people – which I have the pleasure of witnessing first hand each week, as I travel around the country, visiting clubs and leagues. The entirely selfless work that goes into their local league or club is the solid foundation on which our great game is built” J.D. 2017

    - how about some volunteering yourself John?

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Dec 8th 2018, 5:20 PM

    @Eddie Letmon: He does to hoover up the votes he needs to do what he wants. The blazers for the boys routine.

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    Mute Macker
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    Dec 8th 2018, 2:48 PM

    Delaney apparently asking that fans “wipe the slate clean” with regard to criticising him, shows he is a bit fearful of this escalating and also that his first concern is himself and not Irish football.

    The fans group who met him do not represent most Irish fans and if they didnt agree to stop their protests would no longer get tickets

    When appointed to the Ceo role he made sure to look after his mates so it is effectively a closed shop

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    Mute Bungee Aky
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    Dec 8th 2018, 2:49 PM

    So he promised a few fans tickets and they wilted. If they were real fans of Irish soccer and not just lads looking for a piss up they would have made it clear to Delaney that he needs to go. Ballybrack seagulls doing what every seagull does, snatching what it can and leaving big stains all over the place.

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    Mute alan doyle
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    Dec 8th 2018, 2:17 PM

    What an utter sheister

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    Mute @mdmak33
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    Dec 8th 2018, 3:14 PM

    Delaney out boycott matches and merchandise, only time they listen is when the pocket is hi.t

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    Mute Chris O' Connor
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    Dec 8th 2018, 2:47 PM

    Danish police might have removed the banners thinking it was some protest against Thomas Delaney the Danish midfielder

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    Mute Mr Mystery
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    Dec 8th 2018, 3:49 PM

    Who is his boss? Is he his own boss? Irish football is in its worst position in a long time, and he brings back Mick for 2 years which is great, then out with Mick and get in a buddy!
    For the love of God,

    Get him out.

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    Mute Eddie Letmon
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    Dec 8th 2018, 2:58 PM

    So, invert those comments from J.D’s non voluntary role:

    Volunteers “great community people” i.e. JD is not a community person;

    “..invest so much of their personal time for the benefit, …, in our sport”. i.e. JD’s investment of his time is not for the benefit of the sport;

    “I have great pleasure witnessing” i.e. JD gets pleasure from witnessing people’s unpaid contribution to the sport to the sport’s benefit whilst he is paid with no real contribution to the benefit of the sport;

    “…as I travel around the country” i.e. a fully reimbursed expenses of course not like those volunteers;

    “The entirely selfless work..” i.e. JD’s is entirely selfish?

    ……….

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    Mute Tony Mcgrath
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    Dec 8th 2018, 1:23 PM

    Unless u pull in one direction u have no chance

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    Mute Ananya Sharma
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    Dec 8th 2018, 3:02 PM

    @Tony Mcgrath: Delaney pulls in two directions.

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    Mute Eoin Nolan
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    Dec 8th 2018, 7:47 PM

    I have absolutely no idea how these things work, but if he has the FAI all sewn up as it seems to be, can ye all not just tell the FAI as a whole to F**K off. And set up a new organisation. “The No John Delaney’s Football club” or something like that.
    Or take a leaf out of the Frenchies book. When they aint happy with something, they let the country/world know. And you all know how they do that!

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    Mute Colm O'Buachalla
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    Dec 8th 2018, 7:22 PM

    boycott all Irish internationals al the Aviva, that’ll soon get rid of him.

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    Mute damien ryan
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    Dec 8th 2018, 9:55 PM

    You just have to see how he has the delegates at district league level brainwashed to understand how he survives

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    Mute Frank Conroy
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    Dec 8th 2018, 11:07 PM

    Any mention at the meeting about the League of Ireland?.

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    Mute Damien Garvey
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    Dec 8th 2018, 10:04 PM

    Run him like a bad dog… Out out out

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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Dec 8th 2018, 11:45 PM

    I have 40,001 reasons why I don’t trust that guy…

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    Mute Stephen Bergin
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    Dec 9th 2018, 8:49 AM

    This is a joke… he met with the same supporters group he gives preference too for tickets. Those supporter groups are just as bad as Delaney. #delaneyout….

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    Mute James Rhatigan
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    Dec 9th 2018, 6:59 AM

    The clubs keep John in power as he offers cash for development of grounds etc. once the money keeps going to the clubs, they keep voting for him and he keeps his job. That’s it.

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    Mute Frank Conroy
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    Dec 10th 2018, 12:00 PM

    @James Rhatigan: What money? free beer on the continent, maybe.

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