John Fallon: Top festive billing hurtles FAI into turkey-shoot
![John Fallon: Top festive billing hurtles FAI into turkey-shoot John Fallon: Top festive billing hurtles FAI into turkey-shoot](/cms_media/module_img/7736/3868009_3_articlesmall_2681446.jpg)
QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED: Chairman of the FAI international and high-performance committee Packie Bonner, left, FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill, centre, and FAI President Gerry McAnaney before the UEFA EURO 2024 Championship qualifying group B match between Netherlands and Republic of Ireland. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
OU can hear the metaphors abounding already.
Fate will decide if the FAI delegation encounter green or red lights at the Kildare Street pedestrian crossing on their way into Leinster House next Tuesday week to face a grilling.
Exactly a year and two days after being endorsed as new owner of Cork City, Dermot Usher will provide his promised annual update to members next Wednesday.
The businessman’s first 12 months at the helm have been tumultuous to say the least with the stated aim of European qualification soon downgrading into a relegation battle was ultimately unsuccessful.
One permanent manager, two caretakers, including one who was initially Director of Football but is now gone – and a failed quest to snare Kevin Doherty from rivals Drogheda United – encapsulates the turmoil at Turner’s Cross.
At least Usher will be able to denote Tim Clancy’s appointment as a pointer to stability when he addressed the masses at UCC.
The pair were friends before Usher took ownership of City and there was a sense of bewilderment that his release from the manager’s job at St Patrick’s Athletic in May, coupled with Colin Healy’s departure around the same time, didn’t lead to a deal.
That mystery looked set to continue last Friday when Ger Nash deliberated over an offer to take the vacancy but a late push by his employers Aston Villa, where he’s youth team manager, left City back at square one.
There would no further delay, however, as Clancy’s calling arrived – while Liam Buckley’s exit from the DOF post followed within an hour.