The FAI's leadership won unanimous backing for its programme of administrative reform at the weekend in Galway, where delegates scarcely raised a whimper as proposals including one to reduce the board of management from 22 members to just 10 were adopted.

In addition to transforming the size, make-up and, it is hoped, effectiveness of the board, the proposals will result in a dramatic reorganisation of the way in which all of the FAI's other key committees are formed, with members gaining their seats through a combination of direct nomination by affiliate bodies, election by a slightly enlarged council and selection by the leadership.

New chief executive Fran Rooney called it an "historic" breakthrough for an organisation that has been repeatedly paralysed in the past by administrative difficulties.

Even as they ushered in what was widely being described by delegates as a new era for the association there were a few echoes of the past in the hotel function room where they met. Procedurally the meeting appeared to go slightly off track when an Amateur League delegate, Noel Kennelly, argued that the specific rule changes before the meeting, including the proposal to hand Rooney an automatic place on the new board, could not be adopted by the meeting without a broader revision of the rulebook. He suggested the broader document containing all of the changes envisaged simply be adopted by the meeting, with the detail being worked out in the weeks ahead.

Milo Corcoran promptly put the matter to the vote even as honorary secretary Kevin Fahy, sitting beside him, could be heard attempting to advise him on procedure. The vote was carried without dissent and while some delegates were still unclear whether the rest of the motions relating to the proposed changes were going to come up for discussion Kennelly was back on his feet, complaining about the treatment of life members at international games, where, he said, they have to "grovel" for a programme.

Afterwards both Rooney and honorary treasurer John Delaney attempted to restore the sense of occasion, referring to the huge significance of the decision to reorganise the association's decision-making procedures in line with the findings of the Genesis report.

"Today was very much about change," observed a clearly delighted Rooney. "In the end the delegates went further than even we had hoped because they have endorsed a broad-ranging document and left us to just do the mundane stuff of rewriting the actual rules."

Delaney said the move was an "historic achievement," and the goal now would be "to make sure it works".

The association, meanwhile, produced a surplus of some €300,000 last year thanks to the €3.3 million it made from the World Cup finals. Expenditures were up in several areas, with professional fees, up to €850,409 from €345,403, showing perhaps the most marked increase.

Eircom League chairman Brendan Dillon said he and other officials hope to meet Government representatives this week to discuss the curtailment of funding by FÁS for a number of schemes at clubs.

Dillon also said the league would act to protect the interests of clubs here if broadcasters in England started to show Premiership games live on Friday evenings.

Shelbourne chief executive Ollie Byrne had called for the time slot to be registered with UEFA, allowing the league to claim compensation from broadcasters carrying live games from abroad.