Republic of Ireland soccer manager Mick McCarthy today heaped praise on the outgoing FAI Chief Exexutive, Bernard O'Byrne.
Mr O'Byrne announced yesterday he will step down from his £100,000-a-year position on Monday following intense pressure over the eircom Park fiasco and his alleged misuse of company credit cards.
McCarthy said: "I am very sorry to see Bernard O'Byrne go. Over the years I've known him, I've come to have a very good working relationship with him. From my point of view, he's extremely professional and likeable and has been good to me professionally and personally".
O'Byrne was appointed Chief Executive in August 1996, five months after McCarthy's first match as Irish manager.
"I didn't know him before he came into the job", continued McCarthy, "but I think the Association have lost a very good bloke. Whatever he goes on to do, I wish him well. And I hope that whoever we get to replace him does as good a job as Bernard has done".