Cork lead Munster uprising against 'apartheid' FAI summer soccer plan

Irish Examiner

15-05-2025

The FAI's ploy of making grants for next month's Gaynor and Kennedy Cup conditional on switching to summer season has met a backlash from the majority of leagues in Munster.
Instead of approving the annual grant to the Schoolboys/girls' FAI of €160,000, around half the cost of running the underage tournaments at University Limerick, the FAI invited applications from leagues of the 50 participating teams.
It was made clear during FAI-hosted webinars this week that payment hinged on applicants expressing intent to switch their schedules to comply with the association's wishes.
Last December, the sea-change recommended in the Football Pathways Plan, led by outgoing chief football officer Marc Canham, was passed by a narrow 57% majority of General Assembly members.
This was designed to align with the League of Ireland's summer season, whereas 70% of the 75 leagues in Ireland operate the traditional September to May format.
Reaction has been deep and widespread. The Leinster Football Association, covering youth and junior leagues in the province, branded the ballot flawed due to alleged FAI influence over voters while the SFAI publicly called for a reevaluation of removing the right of choice from leagues.
Adopting the divide-and-conquer method to release money for the showpiece interleague U14 tournaments has provoked a particularly stinging outcry.
The Cork schoolboys' league has informed the FAI they won't be applying for the grant before this Friday's deadline.
Neil Cronin explained why: 'Our clubs have made it clear, only recently again in a ballot, that they want to remain in the traditional format,' said the league executive.
'If funding is based on a mandatory element you can't change, then there's no point applying.
'I think the commonsense approach on this is to postpone implementation until an independent feasibility study is conducted to establish fully is what the impact is on the players, volunteers and referees.'
This position was replicated by the Limerick District schoolchildren's league: 'We're fully in full support Cork SL and wish to advise you that we will not be submitting an application form for grant aid for the Kennedy Cup or Gaynor Cup,' wrote Karen O'Callaghan, league Secretary, to the FAI's head of grassroots Nigel Keady.
'We also as a league fully support the stance of the SFAI where all leagues should have a choice of the season they wish to play, based on the wishes of the clubs in that league.
'The disgraceful removal of the usual grant of €160,000.00 to the SFAI for the Kennedy and Gaynor Cups by the FAI is made even worse by trying to force leagues to sign up for summer soccer by offering them individual grants, subject to agreeing to summer soccer.
'We feel that this is bullying tactics and outrageous how the FAI are punishing children of grassroots soccer.
'You should do the right thing and restore the full grant to the SFAI immediately.'
It's understood Waterford adopted the same stance while there was solidarity from the Tipperary South League, despite them working a calendar season.
'The TSS&DL Committee have made the decision not to apply for the grant money as to do so would give support to the FAI approach of a two tier apartheid funding system of grassroots football,' outlined secretary Anthony Phelan.
'The TSS&DL cannot be an affiliate of the SFAI and also support the FAI position which we feel is blackmail and putting a gun to the head of leagues.
'This issue has also been discussed the length and breadth of the country in league meetings with their clubs and the overwhelming outcome is choice.
'Leagues are run by volunteers and weren't found wanting when the FAI was in trouble in recent years and called on their support. This is now how they are treated and rewarded.'
Although they're entitled to the grant for their two teams, the league has directed the FAI to distribute their €5,800 to charities Laura Lynn, Jack & Jill, Focus Ireland, Barnardos and Irish Youth Foundation.
'We will also require written confirmation that the above charities have received the money as outlined above on our behalf,' they insist.
The league also explains why they're prioritising principles.
'Our committee recognises that this will put our finances under extreme pressure but we are prepared to back the SFAI position and leagues' right of choice and not be financially blackmailed with what is essentially SFAI and affiliate Leagues money," it says.
'These are net contributors to the FAI through our 200,000-plus members who pay €3 registration for each player on the FAI Connect system.'