Last night Sean Connolly issued the following statement

"I have spent the last 10 years in jobs that were very much in the public eye five years with the IRTC and five with the FAT. I feel that the time is now right to move on to pastures new at the same time as the FAI have changed its international manager.

"I am finalising some options in this regard and I will make further announcements in the immediate future.

"I have enjoyed immensely the past five years with the FAT and have parted company with the association on the best possible terms. Needless to say, I shall be available to the FAI in any way that they may require my services during the period of hand over to the new chief executive."