WAITING FOR JONNO
Hundreds disappointed when FAI boss fails to show up to open soccer pitch. The reason? Too many photographers were outside his house
JOHN Delaney failed to show up at the opening of a sports facility in rural Co. Galway yesterday as he continued to avoid facing media questions about the Olympic ticketing scandal.
The CEO of the FAI and vice president of the Olympic Council of Ireland had promised to officially open the all-weather pitch at Ballymoe FC more than two months ago.
However, he kept crowds waiting for an hour before eventually sending word that he would not be turning up.
Club officials were told that the presence of photographers near his home in Co. Wicklow, was the reason for missing the event, where hundreds of locals were awaiting his arrival.
They said a plaque on the wall of the clubhouse that read: ‘This pitch was officially opened on 27th August 2016 by John Delaney, CEO, FAI’ would have to be removed.
Gerry Tully, an official with the Roscommon and District League, stepped in to open the facility in his place.
‘We were just told that he got delayed and to make his apologies and that he might be in Ballymoe later.
‘That’s all I know, unfortunately,’ said Mr Tully.
‘I have to go ahead with the opening because it’s unfair to have people waiting.’
Ballymoe FC club secretary Kathleen Hegarty said she understood the reason for Delaney’s absence was the presence of photographers outside his home.
At the FAI CEO’s rented Kilmacanogue home – which sits on a height with sweeping views across the Sugar Loaf mountain – the wooden blinds, bar one downstairs, were tightly shut, despite the warm sunshine.
A black 2004 Hyundai Coupe was parked in the driveway, while Mr Delaney’s white Ford Mondeo was parked away from house.
Just after 1pm – three hours before he was due to attend the opening of the Ballymoe pitch, a 2.5-hour drive away – a silver Ford Galaxy with tinted windows pulled into the exclusive development of 50 or so houses. The FAI is sponsored by Ford Ireland.
The car took a left on to Mr Delaney’s driveway and parked up tight to the front door.
A well-built man dressed in black with a black Mercedes baseball cap got out of the car and rang the doorbell.
The waiting journalists expected the FAI boss to emerge and get in the passenger side of the car.
It was thought he might comment on the ongoing ticket controversy before driving away – a comment he has previously refused to make.
A minute passed and the man again rang the bell.
He then looked around the back of the house, before getting back into car and reversing out of the drive. As he reversed he made a call using his bluetooth hands-free car kit.
That was the only movement at the house all day yesterday.
When the MoS knocked on the door to ask Mr Delaney for a comment there was no answer.
Meanwhile back in Ballymoe, the locals had mixed feelings about the no-show.
‘It’s not his fault,’ Ms Hegarty said.
‘He can’t help it if he’s housed in. But it is disappointing. We’ve been working towards this for two years and the invite was sent to him about two months ago.’
Many people began to leave the club grounds as news spread that Mr Delaney would not be attending. Among them was 10year-old David Kelly from Tuam, Co. Galway.
‘It’s bad because he said he was going to be here and he’s not. I was hoping to ask him about the Euros and Shane Long, because he’s my favourite Irish player. I was looking forward to it,’ he said.
The absence of the FAI supremo put a dampener on an otherwise successful day, where a festival atmosphere surrounded a series of exhibition matches involving players as young as 12, as well as past players and the senior team.
The new pitch is a major addition to a small village with modest preexisting facilities.
There was great excitement among local children who set foot on the pitch, dreaming of a fruitful football career.
The pitch opening also meant a lot to community activists who had lobbied hard for funding and worked towards making the new facility possible. ‘I was watching these people over the last two or three years as they worked towards this day,’ said local TD Michael Fitzmaurice, who attended yesterday’s opening.
‘I passed here at 1am on Friday and they were still inside working in the clubhouse, putting together the finishing touches.
‘It’s fantastic what the commu-
‘We’ve been planning this for two years ’
nity has done in a small area.’ Mr Fitzmaurice shared the local people’s disappointment at the no-show by John Delaney but said that it was a day about the local community, for the local community.
‘It’s not about John Delaney here. I don’t think it’s about celebrities, I think it’s about ordinary people and the community,’ he said.
There were rumours that the FAI chief would appear later in the evening for a celebration in the local pub but Mr Fitzmaurice didn’t appear to be in a hurry to stand him a pint.
‘I’ll be down in the pub later but I don’t know if I’ll see John Delaney down there.
‘I won’t be there for long anyway but I wouldn’t be a person who’d be mixing with the hierarchy.’