BROWNE DEFEAT OPENS DOOR FOR CHANGE

JONATHAN HILL has described the failure to ratify the election of Tom Browne onto the board of the FAI as an “unexpected opportunity” to increase female presence on the 12-strong body.

However, it was acknowledged that Browne, who lost by a narrow 44-46 margin at Saturday’s AGM, could again be nominated by the SFAI.

The elections of Niamh O’Mahony (85-8), Packie Bonner (92-4) and Robert Watt (86-8) were ratified at the resumed

AGM, which took place at the Liffey Valley Clarion Hotel.

In the day’s other vote, Kerry FC were ratified as a member of the FAI ahead of their inaugural season in the League of Ireland First Division.

Surprisingly, there were three votes against the league’s newest side, but 94 delegates voted in favour of the motion.

As for the question of gender balance on the FAI’s board, former Cork City director

O’Mahony becomes the third female member.

The FAI has to hit 40 per cent by the end of this year to avoid a cut in government funding.

Opportunity

Addressing the vote against Browne, FAI chief Hill (right) said: “You heard a comment from someone I assume was against Tom’s nomination, saying we didn’t have an opportunity of putting forward a female candidate.

“Hopefully now, if that person is so minded, they’ll make sure a female candidate is put forward.

“It’s an unexpected opportunity for us to continue to address something which, as Roy has said very clearly last week, we want to get to a point where we hit that 40 per cent target.”

FAI president Gerry

McAnaney said Browne could be nominated again by the SFAI.

McAnaney added: “The SFAI will, I’m sure, put forward what they see as the best candidate, if that candidate is female, it’s fine, if it’s male, it’s fine.”