Former FAI chief gets Citywest role

Former Football Association of Ireland (FAI) boss Bernard O'Byrne is set to take charge at businessman Jim Mansfield's Citywest Group.

The hotel and golf resort group has appointed Mr O'Byrne as its new chief executive.

In his new role, he will be responsible for the strategic planning and management of the Citywest Group,

The group, built up and controlled by Mr Mansfield, comprises the Citywest Hotels and golf course and Weston Executive Airport in Co Dublin and the PGA National golf course at Palmerstown House, Co Kildare.

Mr O'Byrne was the main driving force behind the FAI plan to develop its own €165 million stadium in west Dublin, known as Eircom Park, after the telecoms company agreed to sponsor the project.

The association launched the plan in 1999 but abandoned it two years later after a dispute over the cost and the association's ability to fund the development.

Instead, the association accepted a €125 million deal from the Government to become the anchor tenant in the ill-fated Abbotstown national stadium - the Bertie Bowl - which never got off the ground.

Mr O'Byrne, who had championed Eircom Park, subsequently left the association.