€10m Glanmire soccer centre in doubt after FAI funding is frozen over Delaney loan concerns

Sport Ireland has confirmed it has suspended funding to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) amid concerns over a controversial loan by former chief executive John Delaney.
The funding has been pulled from the FAI just days before the deadline closes on a Government funding stream for the FAI’s Munster Centre of Excellence project, to be based in Glanmire.
The project is a joint venture between Foras — Friends of the Rebel Army Society, the trust which runs Cork City FC —and the FAI on land provided by Cork County Council.
Foras confirmed to The Echo last month that a significant amount of Government money is needed to get the €10m project off the ground, with most of the funds being pursued through the Government’s Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund. Applications for the fund close on April 17.

Fianna Fáil spokesman for sport, Kevin O’Keeffe, said he would be raising the issue at an Oireachtas Committee meeting today.
He said: “Sport Ireland have a say and an influence on the Minister for Sport Shane Ross’s decision on the FAI application and freezing funding to the organisation sends a very strong message.