FAI CEO Jonathan Hill discusses the state of League of Ireland facilities

Sean O'Connor reports from FAI HQ

Speaking to the media in Abbotstown this afternoon, FAI CEO Jonathan Hill discussed the current facilities in the League of Ireland, and the urgent need for improvement across the board.

With last year’s record-breaking FAI Cup final ticket sales, as well as some sold-out games in the opening weeks of this season, Hill spoke about the growing support for the domestic league.

“I think we've seen significant crowds and a real buzz around the games,” said Hill.

“I do think it’s’ connected to what Stephen and Vera of doing with the international teams.”

The FAI published their 2022-2025 strategic plan last month, with one core pillar being “transforming football facilities and infrastructure.” In the plan, the FAI commit to working with government for produce investment strategies, as well as reviewing the development and upgrading of stadiums. A nationwide facilities audit and infrastructure plan are due to be completed by the end of the year, with implementation beginning in 2023

“All of us want to have international class facilities for the League of Ireland,” Hill said.

“It is one of our six core pillars in relation to facilities and infrastructure. But it takes time for us to formulate our plan in relation to that going to do. We will take it to government and talk with them along with the clubs. To make sure that those facilities, for Stephen and all of the international teams are at the right standard that we want for progress to be made.

“We all understand that it’s going to need considerable investment. To get that investment we have to have a very clearly defined and articulated plan and that's what we're working on at the moment.”

Ireland manager Stephen Kenny, who won four League titles with Dundalk and one at Bohemians, also spoke about the need for better investment in the domestic game.



“I think we're gone beyond the issue now, there is no League of Ireland fans and non-league of Ireland fans,” said Kenny

“The facilities are not good enough, nowhere near good enough. If the facilities were better, you feel you’d get more supporters and have a better league.“

“I think what we have now in Ireland are football fans. People who love the game at all levels. People can follow teams passionately in Ireland. We’re seeing that with 18,000 season tickets being sold, hopefully we sell even more.”

Kenny also reflected on his opening twenty games in charge and admitted that he has settled on a core group of players now going forward.

After yesterday’s announcement of his contract extension, the 50-year-old spoke about how much it means to him personally.

“It’s a huge privilege to manage Ireland in the Nation's League and in the European Championships qualifiers over the next couple years,” said Kenny.



Under previous managers, Ireland debuts were few and far between. Kenny has spoken at length before on the need to bring as many emerging players through as possible. Under the ex-Dundalk boss, Ireland have undergone a transformation, in both personnel and playing style.

“The supporters have really connected with the players,” said Kenny.

“We brought through 15 players through our own system over the last year which is quite a radical shift. We've rebuilt the team and we're not looking to overly experiment anymore.”

“Players have come through the underage system, right through the clubs throughout Ireland, into our international teams and right into the senior team.”

“The team are playing in a style that people can really get excited by and look forward to going to games. We know we still have a lot of improvement to do.”

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