The ongoing saga between the FAI and their controversial chief executive, Bernard O'Byrne, seems to be reaching its final furlong. News that his four-and-a-half year reign at Merrion Square has come to an end with a £250,000 golden handshake will come as a relief to most soccer supporters in this country.

The FAI have never been far from controversy and the recent collapse of the Eircom Park project caused many red faces after the association had ploughed in more than £3.5 million. The failure of this venture, plus allegations of irregularities about O'Byrne's company credit card spending, gave the FAI no option but terminate O'Byrne's £100,000 a year post.