The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) reduced its debts by almost €4 million in 2025, chief executive David Courell told the association’s AGM on Saturday.
The meeting, held at the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs in Cork City, followed another turbulent period for the FAI, coming after the men’s senior side’s Nations League fixtures against Israel and the association’s appearance before an Oireachtas committee at which concerns over safeguarding practises were raised.
The FAI confirmed an extraordinary general meeting took place before the AGM at which members of the general assembly were updated on the matter of safeguarding.
The AGM heard details of the association’s 2025 accounts, which saw debts reduced to €38.1 million, down from €42 million, while its revolving credit facility was extended by €1 million to €4 million.
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Cash generated totalled almost €2.3 million for the year, with a spike in season-ticket sales partially attributed to Ireland’s win over Hungary last November, which saw Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side reach the World Cup qualifiers earlier this year. The association added that season tickets for 2026 sold out within hours of Troy Parrott’s hat-trick in Budapest, with 32,000 season tickets purchased by supporters.
Revenue fell by €2.3 million in 2025, with the drop largely put down to the hosting of the 2024 Europa League final between Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen at the Aviva Stadium.
The FAI also flagged some positive developments from the year, noting that one million fans had attended domestic fixtures for a third consecutive season. The association also highlighted the first staging of the Women’s Development League, and the commencement of a League of Ireland Economic Impact Assessment.
The AGM also heard viewership of the senior women’s team jumped by 29 per cent as they prepare to take on Poland in the World Cup playoffs next month.
In terms of board appointments, members were informed of Robert Watt’s decision to step down from his position, while Caroline Rhatigan, Ursula Scully, Laura Finnegan-O’Halloran and Packie Bonner had their re-elections ratified. The general assembly also approved Paul Cooke, Úna Henry, Trevor Nulty, Aaron Murphy and Anne O’Dwyer as members of the Audit, Risk, Compliance and Finance Committee.
And former government minister Dermot Ahern was bestowed with an honorary life membership. “Dermot has played an influential role in the growth of the League of Ireland and has maintained a strong connection to grassroots football through his involvement with Rock Celtic,” said FAI president Paul Cooke, adding the Dundalk native “is thoroughly deserving of this honour”.
