The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have abandoned plans to build their own soccer stadium and have accepted the government’s offer to become anchor tenants at Stadium Ireland.
The FAI had planned to build their own stadium ‘Eircom Park’ in West Dublin but had encountered many stumbling blocks the most critical being their underestimation of the cost.
Speaking on RTE news tonight, association chief executive Bernard O’Byrne said that while he was personally disappointed that plans for Eircom Park had to be ditched, he realised that the deal with the government was a "better deal for Irish football".
"I’m disappointed that the dream hasn’t come true but I see this new deal as a red letter day for Irish football"
"The offer of ten’s of millions is what we wanted to achieve. The only reason we defected from Eircom Park is because we got a better offer."
Under the new agreement with the government the FAI will receive £45 million in cash funding over three years as well as benefiting from a comprehensive programme of additional grants to aid the development of the game, particularly in disadvantaged areas.