The Football Association of Ireland hosted the 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday, July 23rd in The Round Room, Mansion House.

After coming through a difficult year, on and off the pitch, due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19, Irish football is making good progress in a number of areas.

The AGM will provide an opportunity for the Association to update its members on key developments, such as:

• A stabilisation of our finances and returned a surplus of €6.7m
• An implementation of governance reforms, not least of which were the adoption of a new Constitution, establishment of a new democratic and representative General Assembly and Committee structures and election of a new Board
• The roll out of a new strategy for the Association, in consultation with members, which creates an exciting blueprint for the development of football at all levels
• A celebration of our past by marking our Centenary as an Association in a range of ways
• Club Mark, Referees, Football for All, MNT Sponsorship and gender composition of the FAI board were among a number of topics discussed by delegates with answers provided by the FAI CEO Jonathan Hill, FAI President Gerry McAnaney and Independent Chair Roy Barrett
• Progression on the pitch with our Republic of Ireland international teams, improving standards and increased attendances at League of Ireland games, and more men, women, boys and girls than ever playing our game

The Association remains committed to delivering the objectives set out in the 2022-2025 FAI Strategy, which is structured around six pillars: Transforming Football Facilities and Infrastructure; Driving Grassroots Football as the Heart of the Game; Nurturing Football Pathways for All; Developing the Full Potential for Women and Girls; Framing the Future of our League of Ireland; Building for International Success.

With over 33,000 kids registered for our Elverys FAI Summer Soccer Schools camps, a record number of participants on Referee training courses, almost 500 clubs signed up with the FAI Club Mark Programme, more girls playing the game than ever before and more coaches earning UEFA qualifications to help give back to their local communities, progress continues to be made across the association.

There are many challenges still to tackle, including reducing our debt in order to generate more income to service the game, but the Association is working hard to drive Irish football forward and the AGM explained the steps being taken to facilitate that.

At the AGM, the members approved the awarding of Honorary Life Membership to John Byrne (UCD), Dessie Kelly (Ulster FA), Tony Martin (Leinster FA), Jim McArdle (Drogheda United), John O'Regan (Munster FA) and Shay Weafer (Shelbourne).