Tony O'Donoghue

Ireland

Soccer Correspondent at RTÉ

Group Football Correspondent for RTÉ. Ex President @SoccerWritersIr Views, opinions all my own.

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Articles

Cooke calls on grassroots to put pressure on government

Sep 14, 2024 | rte.ie | Tony O'Donoghue

FAI President Paul Cooke, in his first AGM as President, has called on grassroot members to put pressure on the government to support Irish soccer. He called for the FAI to be given a share of the government betting tax and insisted that the association deserved the investment.
Legendary manager Jim McLaughlin dies aged 83

Aug 15, 2024 | rte.ie | Tony O'Donoghue

Legendary Irish football manager Jim McLaughlin has died at the age of 83. The Derry-born striker made his debut for his hometown club at the age of 16 before playing for a number of clubs in England including Birmingham, Shrewsbury and Swansea. He returned to Ireland as player/manager of Dundalk in 1974 and led the County Louth side to three league championships and three FAI Cups including the double in the 1978/79 season.
Hill leaves his position as FAI CEO

Apr 15, 2024 | rte.ie | Tony O'Donoghue |O'Sullivan calls

Jonathan Hill, the chief executive officer of the Football Association of Ireland, has left his post with immediate effect. He has been in charge of the football body since November 2020. Hill was heavily criticised by members of the Public Accounts Committee in Leinster House in February following his explanation of a payment of €11,550 he received from the association in lieu of holidays not taken, which was against the FAI's own staff rule book.
LOI referees propose strike action tonight at kick-off

Apr 12, 2024 | rte.ie | Tony O'Donoghue |Connors starts

League of Ireland referees have threatened strike action ahead of all games in the Premier and First Division this evening by delaying kick-offs for five minutes in protest over a number of issues, notably safety concerns. Last Friday, SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division leaders Shels saw their 2-2 draw at Drogheda United temporarily paused after a linesman was struck by an object thrown from the away supporters' section.
FAI given hairdryer treatment by PAC over trust issues

Feb 25, 2024 | rte.ie | Tony O'Donoghue |Pacu fish

Another uneventful week in Irish football. Nothing much happened, nothing to see here, move along now please. Except of course there was the Republic of Ireland women's team playing Italy in Eileen Gleeson’s first game as full-time head coach, a game they probably should have won but a draw away from home against higher ranked opposition is no bad result, and continues the progress made since Ms Gleeson took over from Vera Pauw.
FAI used Covid resilience funds to pay off debt

Feb 21, 2024 | rte.ie | Tony O'Donoghue

The Football Association of Ireland has admitted that it used some of the €33.7 million provided for Covid-19 resilience to pay off a 'legacy' debt, which was against the terms of state funding intended only to offset turnover losses caused by the pandemic.
FAI to appear before Public Accounts Committee today

Feb 21, 2024 | rte.ie | Tony O'Donoghue

The Football Association of Ireland will appear before the Public Accounts Committee in Leinster House this morning and members of the committee are set to examine oversight and governance of Sport Ireland and Exchequer funding provided to the FAI. Representatives of the FAI including Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Hill will defend their use of state aid including Covid-19 resilience funding.
FAI expected to vote in favour of gender-balanced board

Dec 9, 2023 | rte.ie | Tony O'Donoghue |In Lifestyle

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Football Association of Ireland will take place today in Dublin. Delegates are expected to vote in favour of increasing the number of female directors on the board in order to satisfy government requirements on gender balance. The memorandum of understanding signed in 2020 between the FAI and the Government required the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to have at least 40% female representation on its board by the end of this year.
Barrett made decision to pay CEO Hill for holidays

Dec 9, 2023 | rte.ie | Tony O'Donoghue

Former Football Association of Ireland independent chairman Roy Barrett has admitted that he made the decision that CEO Jonathan Hill should be paid in lieu of holidays. The holiday payments to Hill led to a Sport Ireland investigation and €6.8 million of state funding being temporarily suspended. Speaking at today's FAI annual general meeting, Barrett said he took full responsibility and that the decision had been made in good faith.
Wanted and wannabes: Contenders to be next Ireland boss

Nov 23, 2023 | rte.ie | Tony O'Donoghue

At the highest level, football can be an unforgiving business. As soon as Stephen Kenny walked out the door at Lansdowne Road on Tuesday the board of the FAI were preparing the ground for his successor. A meeting of the association's board was brought forward, sparing Kenny further days of speculation regarding his future.