LIMERICK FC CHAIRMAN Pat O’Sullivan has come out in support of John Delaney, claiming the former FAI CEO has “tirelessly worked to find a solution and a model” for the League of Ireland to prosper.
In a statement released on the same day Sport Ireland said the FAI “did not sufficiently explain” the situation surrounding the €100,000 loan from then-FAI Chief Executive John Delaney to the association in 2017 — Sport Ireland will appear in front of an Oireachtas Committee tomorrow — O’Sullivan said it was time to “acknowledge the contribution of Mr Delaney to the game over the past number of years”.
The statement, signed by the Limerick chairman, read:
“In light of recent events concerning former FAI CEO John Delaney, I feel as Chairman of Limerick FC, it is an appropriate time to acknowledge the contribution of Mr Delaney to the game over the past number of years.
“In his time as CEO, we have had well publicised arguments over certain decisions taken by the FAI. However, we have a professional working relationship with John and all other FAI departments. Any request for advice or assistance is always supported.
“On a number of occasions we have been supported by the FAI facilities department with Sports Capital grant applications as well as advising technically on clubhouses, artificial pitches and floodlighting.
“Whenever possible John has attended club events and presentation nights, anniversary dinners and dedicated a lot of his time to attending Limerick FC matters, often taking up family time to be at a particular event to recognise a landmark occasion in Limerick.
With the assistance of club staff and a large group of club volunteers the club undertook the hosting of the Trappatoni [sic] Dinner and the Martin O’Neill dinner as fundraisers , it was through requests made to the CEO on the availability of the managers that both events were made possible. As well as facilitating our request for the attendance of the respective Managers at both events, he was very active in ensuring the FAI departments, Marketing, Commercial and Media supported the event, to maximise our financial return on the event.
The statement continued: “While we have ongoing reservations on how the National league performs and our own views on how it should be structured going forward, it is a difficult situation for anyone to manage, 20 competing organisations all with different needs, issues and strategies on what’s best for their club/organisation to achieve their goals.
John has engaged with League club representatives and tirelessly worked to find a solution and a model for the league to prosper.
“Limerick FC see the National Underage leagues as a hugh [sic] positive and continue to embrace the structure. Long term we feel the national underage leagues will be seen as a turning point in the development of Irish Clubs.
“We continue to support the ongoing discussions in relation to new League management structure and look forward to finding a resolution amicable to all involved.
“His election to the UEFA Executive committee is a testament to the high regard he is held within the game in Europe and while this is a great honour for John, it is also recognition of the game and our National Association.”
O’Sullivan’s statement concluded:
All in Limerick FC are very grateful for John’s and the FAI’s support and contribution to the game in his time as CEO and fully believe he is the person to continue his work with UEFA and FIFA matters in his new role as Executive Vice President.
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Also does the chairman not remember the fai refusing to let limerick play Barcelona in thomond park in a friendly…
Only time I heard Delaney talk about the loi is when he called it a problem child.. Delaney out
What a joke!! Feck off pat ffs
Is April Fools Day extended to the 2nd now?
OMG, what a clown of a chairperson. To come out and support Delaney beggers belief. Its people of
O’ Sullivan mentality within the FAI that are providing Delaney with a platform to survive.
Disgusted as a LOI fan is an understatement….
@Michéal Breathnach: Far from a clown. He has worked tirelessly for limerick and has earned the respect for people not to mock him when he speaks out
Oh god sometimes its better to say nothing pat
Has Pat pulled his funding from Division 1 Limerick yet?
While I respect what Pat has done for Limerick, he’s way off the mark here.
Nice! Deleting comments again. All I said was he’s clearly behind JD because they were in severe financial trouble before. Something anyone could know about as it was reported on at the time.
Typical cronies coming out to defend him like that statement last week,only in this country would they defend someone on absolute ridiculous money and who earns more than the league winners and what has he done for the league of Ireland?its no better off and the grass roots isn’t that much better either and this is the man who earns more than the Italian or Spanish fa top people
@Warren Mcdermott: for the most played sport in the country, with no investment in the domestic league and loads of international games to raise funds, the clubs have fcek all facilities in comparison to say the GAA. My local club in the middle of nowhere have 3 pitches, unreal floodlights, grand clubhouse and fully stacked gym. Compare that to the soccer club who just got a mini astro pitch. A club that has sent youth to England. Football in Ireland is chronically underfunded and financially mismanaged with no real vision for the future. Only recently they set up a national youth league and put a measly 100k towards it. Not sustainable but luckily we beginning to produce a bit more. But it’s too little, too late. A renaissance is needed. Delaney out! Kerr/Quinn combo in!
@Warren Mcdermott: the main Spanish guy earns some nice cash but it’s the regional guys , those who run say the Galician , Catalan ,Andalucían federations , they’re on massive cash and absolutely untouchable , 180k€ + and living well outside the expensive parts of the country . JD would have seen similar and tried to emulate it.
@Limón Madrugada: are you kidding? Delaney is on double that!
Yeah, a final solution.
Where did the Henry money from the handball go
@Mark Smith: paid the rent for that fraud Delaney!!!
What a joke! He has done nothing for the LoI, except run it to the ground while he profits in his overpaid rolls.
Delaney must be in the 42 pockets constantly deleting negative comments about him.
Unnecessary statements of support like this are the reason nothing ever changes with the FAI and its leadership. It’s entirely a “you feather my nest and I’ll feather yours” mentality
In fairness, I wouldn’t doubt you Pat. That new fur coat looks smashing on you.
I refuse to even read half of this carp. apparantly he’s been working tirelessly. His offer of 5k to each club is an insult like combined about half the amount he “lent” the fai. Wonder if the ex wife saw any of it in the end
Pure crap, did money change hands.