The Football Association of Ireland today appointed Fran Rooney as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Rooney, a charted accountant, replaces former general secretary Brendan Menton as the highest-ranking official in the association.
The appointment of a CEO was a fundamental restructuring priority outlined in the recommendations of the Genesis report last November.
Rooney has a wealth of experience in the Financial and Information Technology sectors and is chairman of Nirvana Technologies, Addoceo Digital Media and Data Direction among others.
Speaking today, Rooney - a former manager of the Irish senior women's team - said he saw his role as "providing the leadership for the FAI and the football community across the country."
He said the work of the association and its people, particularly, at grassroots level, had been "at times overshadowed" but added that the main priority was to "increase participation in football at every level throughout the count".
Rooney also said that the advent of summer soccer in the eircom League and the introduction of the club-licensing system would prove successful for the domestic game.
FAI president Milo Corcoran welcomed the appointment.
Rooney will take up the position in June.