Award-winning author and journalist Mark Tighe spoke with us on Scoreline at the weekend in regards to the sensational story that brought an end to John Delaney’s fifteen-year reign at the top of the FAI.
A series of articles printed in the Sunday Times were followed by a shocking book written by Mark and co-author Paul Rowan. Here they outlined the salacious and precarious details surrounding the financial situation of Ireland’s football governing body after years of mismanagement.
This negligence almost brought the organisation on the brink of extinction and the book “Champagne Football : The Rise and Fall of John Delaney and the Football Association of Ireland” goes into great detail revealing how such a situation was able to happen.
In our discussion, Tighe described Delaney’s calculated efforts to earn the loyalty of people at the grassroots level so he couldn’t be challenged. Tales of fraternizing with travelling Irish fans or promising money at the grassroots level would allow Delaney to gather the will of people and rule with an iron fist.
As we know Delaney’s tumultuous reign has now ended with thanks to the sensational revelations brought forth by Mark and Paul being the spark that ignited the flame. If you have not already picked up a copy or had one bought for you at Christmas, you can do so here.
