The FAI warmed up by unfurling a deluge of good news stories, from Cup final tickets “gone” to season tickets “sold” and an extension to the national league sponsorship, but the feelgood factor didn’t cascade into the meeting.

Down for decision in the amendment to the FAI’s constitution was enlarging their board from 12 to 14, of which six would be female — to meet the 40% proportion set by the Government.

While there’s no objection to that concept, what generated debate was the source of the directors.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding – effectively a contract – the board was to be composed equally of those from the football and independent sides.

The absence of independent oversight at the top of the organisation was declared a contributory factor to the FAI’s malaise under John Delaney, that brought it to the brink of financial Armageddon.

That Brendan Dillon was the chief speaker against Thursday’s rule proposal was symbolic for a couple of reasons. The solicitor was formerly chairman of the League of Ireland.

One of the reasons he quit in 2004 was the association’s failure to implement a key recommendation of the Genesis Report from two years’ previously, specifically the introduction of non-executive directors.

What transpired, as was officially stated across investigations, was board capture — a term indicating dominance by a central character.

All welcomed the infusion of independence in early 2020, albeit the sudden increase from four to six, hatched by Roy Barrett in the MOU, bred mistrust that lingered right up to the chairman’s resignation.

Barrett, the ex-Goodbody stockbroker MD, had signalled his intent to walk as far back as January, only to stay around on the basis there’d be a smooth transition for his successor.

That nominee has yet to be ratified, by either the electoral committee or the membership, so his fade into the distance — insisting he be removed from emails — was greeted with intrigue by his colleagues.

He hadn’t got his way at the EGM, the decision of the company secretary to reject the counter-proposal by Dillon’s Universities group annoying those seeking two options for the ballot. What differed between them was the origins of the two additional female directors.

While Barrett and his board advocated one apiece from either side, the football rep becoming a second vice-president, the third-level group were in favour of both emerging through football channels.

Being a special resolution under the Companies Act, the ballot fell short of the necessary 75% quota because 38 delegates didn’t feel it was reflective of current FAI needs.

Reaction was robust and the scaremongering swift.

League of Ireland clubs in dire need of state support to improve stadia and training facilities were aghast, initially communicated via individuals on social media, before a collective statement by the Premier Clubs Alliance (PCA) on Friday.

The irony of all 10 signatories being male was noted.

Amidst the outrage, the Leinster Football Association (LFA) released a statement of their own, adamant they supported the gender balance cause.

They had mirrored Dillon’s argument and hope the matter would be settled at another EGM they requested for December 2.

Clearly, this issue had polarised opinion across the General Assembly, the 145-member supreme body whose function is to hold the FAI board to account. Traditional fractures resurfaced.

It’s not an exact science, but the general divide was between the professional chamber — principally League of Ireland clubs — and the amateur chamber, consisting of bodies like the LFA that cater for adult players outside of the professional ranks.

A third and final pillar, dominated by schoolboy/girl representatives, were known to be split, explaining the tightness of the outcome.

The General Assembly was introduced in 2021 to be more representative of the game’s players and democratic, placing the three pillars on an equal footing.

Under Delaney’s regime, the League of Ireland were the numerical force on the senior council. They carried 18 votes, but never acted as a collective to challenge the supremo.

Only Derry City and St Patrick’s Athletic emerged with any credit from the 2016 debacle surrounding the measly €5,000 grant, for devising a strategic plan.

They both called it out for the insult it was, while the rest remained silent. Ditto, when Delaney branded the league a difficult child.

Quite the opposite, in fact.

The effusive tributes, ceremonial pictures, and standing ovations at AGMs are all there to read and see.

Now they want to accept a decree from the Government verbatim.

Irish football has done, over the last three years, everything asked of them by Leinster House, in an MOU which expires in six weeks’ time.

Events of the last week regarding the chief executive’s remuneration illustrate independence isn’t without imperfections.

No other sports body has been demanded by the Government to hold a 50/50 split of external directors.

To be strong-armed into maintaining that, when the MOU was an emergency measure, is excessive and warrants resistance.

Six is plenty. More than four and definitely better than zero when few, bar Dillon, found their voice.

King and Shelbourne right to feel aggrieved by awards snub

Awards season is upon us and, while debate is healthy, Shelbourne’s exclusion from the Women’s FAI shortlists is baffling.

The double-holders relinquished title to Peamount United, but still sealed runners-up on Saturday and are favourites to retain their FAI Cup in Sunday’s repeat decider against Athlone Town.

That hasn’t been sufficient for either manager Noel King or any of their players to be nominated for the gongs to be presented tomorrow week. Nor anyone for the U19 or U17 accolades.

James O’Callaghan of Peas is in the running for manager, alongside Phil Trill who led Galway United to the All-Island Cup and Collie O’Neill of Shamrock Rovers.

It’s an all Peamount affair for the Player of the Year. One of captain Karen Duggan, Sadbh Doyle, or Erin McLaughlin will lift the gong. Their colleague Jess Fitzgerald is in the running for Young Player of the Year against Shamrock Rovers duo Scarlett Herron and Erin McLaughlin.

“Wow,” was the most diplomatic King was willing to say on the snub yesterday. He was beaten by O’Callaghan last year and concludes his three-year Shels tenure on Sunday.

“Who decides on the nominations? That should be investigated. Wow. I’ll take my hat off to James. We’ve been great rivals through the past few years and he deserves it.”

We did indeed investigate. Apparently, the shortlists are derived from votes by players and a select committee composed of media and ‘league observers’.

The breakdown wasn’t available.

Now comes the real test for promoted Waterford

Waterford’s promotion should present an early rigorous rattling of the FAI’s new fit and proper owners test to be introduced next month.

Andy Pilley added the Blues to his portfolio of clubs 15 months ago but the jewel of his crown, Fleetwood Town, was put up for sale in May after he was convicted of fraud connected with his business dealings. He was subsequently sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Pilley’s son, Jamie, assumed operational control of Waterford and was central to rousing the crowd at Tallaght on Friday as the Deise beat Munster rivals Cork City in a play-off.

The FAI will examine the club’s structure as part of their application to take their place in the 2024 top-flight.

Incidentally, Fleetwood confirmed yesterday that a Police investigation into a jury member being offered a £20,000 bribe to convict Pilley wasn’t closed despite earlier reports to the contrary.

Another former Waterford chairman, Mitch Cowley, was last week spared jail in court for a fraud conviction. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, given 250 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay thousands in victim compensation fees.

Email: john.fallon@examiner.ie