O'Neill seen as man to steady ship

IT'S been described as the worst week in the history of the FAI, and it isn't over yet. It's certainly been the most traumatic, but it could yet turn out to be the best as well, depending on what happens next.

To begin with, there remains the isolated figure of Louis Kilcoyne. The FAI president spent much of yesterday in the association's headquarters in Merrion Square where he declined countless requests for interviews, from journalists and met representatives of Bastow Charleton accountants in the company of his solicitors.

Constitutionally, Kilcoyne could remain on as the association's president by appealing the vote of no confidence against him, if it was passed next Friday night.

According to Rule 23 B of the FAI's rule book, "a member or honorary officer expelled, suspended or otherwise dealt with by the Council may appeal against the expulsion or suspension by requisitioning a special General Meeting, or to the AGM."

Friends and associates of Kilcoyne have advised him that he should follow the lead of Joe Delaney, Michael Hyland, Des Casey and Pat Quigley and resign. If the same privilege is extended to him - that he can address the senior council meeting on Friday night - it is hoped that the spilling of blood can be averted.

There probably had to be some bloodletting for the FAI's constitutional structures to be radically overhauled. Monday night's resignations were preferable to a stream of no confidence votes at Friday's senior council meeting. At this juncture, it's worth pointing out that the outgoing officer board were by no means the worst in the association's history. They may even have been the best in many respects.

However, Des Casey has described these structures as "archaic". Whether they will be modernised and whether the association can restore credibility and confidence within the business and footballing communities depends on decisions taken in the next three days, beginning with tonight's trimmed down executive meeting.

This normally consists of 22 members, but tonight's meeting will be without the four departed officers as well as Shelbourne's Finbarr Flood, who resigned last week. The onus is on the executive to put forward proposals for ratification by senior council which will fill the huge vacuum at the top of the FAI.

Essentially, there are two options facing them. The senior council could appoint an interim management committee of say, three people who could work in tandem with the acting secretary, Brendan Menton, and the existing staff in Merrion Square.

Alternatively, the senior council could fill the vacant officer positions with elections on Friday night. Indeed, both Hyland and Quigley have intimated that they might put their names forward again, while Casey has not ruled out that possibility at a future date. (As an aside, there is concern that Casey's position on the UEFA executive committee, the first obtained by an FAI representative, should be maintained).

The constitutional position regarding this course of action was unclear to many within the game yesterday. However, the FAI press officer, Louise King, confirmed that any of the four departed officers can have their names put forward for re-election if they are proposed and seconded by two members of senior council.

Indeed, there is a clear groundswell of opinion within council which favours the election of an acting president (presuming Kilcoyne either resigns or accepts a vote against him without appeal), and an acting treasurer, as well as the re-appointment of Hyland, Casey and Quigley.

This view was expressed by Noel Kennedy, the Connacht FA representative, and Bernard O'Byrne, the president of the Leinster FA, AUL and FAI junior council. However, others would oppose this move, on the grounds that too much of the same would send out the wrong signals.

It is believed that Bohemians and Shelbourne, for example, would prefer the option of an interim management committee overseeing the FAI's administration until the AGM on July 13th. In the meantime, management consultants would be employed to examine the FAI's structures and put forward new professional structures for ratification at the AGM.

Technically, all the FAI requires for its administration at this juncture is a president (be it Kilcoyne or an acting president in his stead) and an acting treasurer.

O'Byrne is already attracting public support from Noel Kennedy and Dr Tony O'Neill for the role of acting treasurer. O'Byrne (42), who also serves as chief security officer, is a money market analyst with Cement Roadstone Holding.

Many names have been mentioned as a prospective temporary replacement for Kilcoyne. Quigley, the putative successor to Kilcoyne, has attracted some mild criticism, for not resigning sooner than he did from the officer board, but is still widely liked.

Others being put forward are the Cobh Ramblers representative Michael Cody, an executive and senior council member, Bray Wanderers' Eddie Cox, perceived by some as being too close to the outgoing regime, and Enda McGuill.

Shelbourne president Finbarr Flood still commands huge respect, though he may, have lost some support through the public nature of his stance in recent weeks, his decision to resign from all committees and his meeting with Wimbledon chairman Sam Hamman. But there remains a constitutional doubt about his eligibility for the role in light of his resignation, besides which he almost certainly would prefer to stay well clear of it.

However, all sides seem agreed on the best choice for acting president - UCD's Dr Tony O'Neill. He is seen as one who would instantly restore credibility with sponsors, media, public and IRFU, as well as uniting the association.

It can be argued that much of the current travail started from the day O'Neill resigned as general secretary after Italia `90. As someone who oversees all sports in UCD on a full-time basis, he maintains he doesn't have the time or the inclination for the job. "I'm not really in a position to assume such a demanding role," said O'Neill yesterday.

Too bad, doctor. Your association needs you.