Alan Kelly defends FAI chief Delaney’s support in Tipperary

Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly has accused Opposition TDs of "juvenile politics" by criticising Football Association of Ireland (FAI) chief executive John Delaney's decision to seek support for him.

Mr Delaney has been criticised for visiting local soccer clubs and a barber shop with Mr Kelly in his Tipperary constituency and urging people to vote for him.

Independent TD Mattie McGrath said Mr Delaney’s involvement was “highly unusual and inappropriate’’.

‘Peeved’

A spokesman for Mr Kelly said: “[He] is just generally peeved that Alan Kelly has a track record of assisting local clubs improve their facilities.

“Instead of welcoming this, he has opted to play the man and not the ball and is trying to undermine the voluntary efforts of soccer clubs who work with both the council and the FAI for better football pitches.”

“He is only doing this because of juvenile politics coming up to the election,” the spokesman added.

He did not confirm or deny whether the FAI chief was canvassing.

Mr Delaney is believed to have visited a number of football clubs and a barber shop last Friday.

He is said to have encouraged people to vote for the Minister.

Tánaiste Joan Burton said she saw no difficulty with the FAI chief executive’s support.

Asked if it was appropriate for the chief executive of a body like the FAI to be backing individual candidates, Ms Burton said: "I would say that's really a matter for John Delaney. "

“If you look at the Dáil, there are very many famous members of the Dáil who won their spurs on either the rugby field or the GAA field.”