The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) today announced that its finance director Mark O’Leary is to resign and return to work in the corporate sector.

In a press release, the FAI confirmed that O’Leary, appointed Finance Director in 2005, will resign.

Commenting today, FAI CEO John Delaney said, “Over the past five years, during what has been a period of sustained growth and development for the Association, Mark has made a very significant contribution, putting in place the necessary financing arrangements to fund its share of the Aviva Stadium construction costs and having significantly improved the financial reporting and controls in the Association”.  “I want to thank Mark for his commitment to the organisation and on behalf of the staff and voluntary members wish Mark well in his future career”, Delaney added.

O’Leary also spoke today:

“I have very much enjoyed my time working for the FAI during a period of rapid growth which saw us become joint owners of the €411m Aviva Stadium. During the past five years, the Association has grown the sport significantly through a comprehensive €70m investment programme for all strands of grassroots football, as well as successfully funding the FAI’s share of the construction costs of Aviva Stadium. I would like to thank everyone who has worked with me over the past five years and wish the FAI every success in the future.”

Pádraig Smith will take over as interim Financial Director tomorrow until a new Financial Director can be appointed. Smith has experience with the FAI, having worked to implement the Salary Cap Protocol last year across Airticity League clubs, and sits on the Uefa Financial Fair Play Committee.