Football News

It probably took Shane Robinson just six weeks in the FAI, rather than the six months he’s spent, to realise what a political minefield he’s entered.

The former Drogheda United league winner left his job leading the Shamrock Rovers academy to become the assistant to director of football Marc Canham at the parent body.

Robinson joined as the final touches were being applied for the February launch of the FAI’s Football Pathways Plan (FPP), a blueprint he describes as a common-sense framework.

It sets out a vision over a 12-year period to overhaul the development structure of the game from juvenile level to senior League of Ireland with the initial controversy centring on an edict to implement the LOI summer football concept across the board by the start of 2026.

Conflicting messages have emerged about its compellability on those responsible for implementation.

Canham, under questioning by the Irish Examiner at its unveiling, was adamant there was no turning back despite consultation whereas those at the coalface were assured of opt-outs by new FAI President Paul Cooke during a February EGM.

Further confusion arose when chairman Tony Keohane declared universal board support for the document.

Among those 14 directors are representatives of the Munster and Leinster FA, two provincial bodies who expressed resistance to elements at that EGM and again during subsequent workshops. The Schoolboys FAI (SFAI), who have yet to declare their position, also have a presence at the top table.

While Canham’s missed deadline for having a senior team manager in place by April has damaged his credibility, his next interaction with constituents comes this day next week. An update on the FPP is part of the agenda at a meeting of the

Marc Canham Paul Cooke Tony Keohane