February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Mark Jones
DUBLIN — The future of a proposed soccer stadium in Dublin was plunged into further doubt last weekend. The FAI’s plans to build its own facility were seriously undermined when one of the association’s most senior officers threatened to take legal action in order to obtain financial information relating to the project.
The FAI’s treasurer, Brendan Menton, said the association would receive a letter from his lawyers demanding that he be provided will all relevant financial details of the stadium. Figures regarding the sale of corporate boxes and seats at the proposed stadium were to have been made available to him almost two months ago.
The FAI chief executive, Bernard O’Byrne, said the requested information would be available within two weeks. However, deep divisions now clearly exist within the association as five other board members walked out of a meeting in support of Menton’s position.
Keane sideline
Roy Keane will miss Ireland’s friendly soccer international against Finland at Lansdowne Road today. Despite playing a full 90 minutes for Manchester United in the club’s 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough last Saturday, Keane was withdrawn with what was termed a "tight hamstring."
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Although Manchester United were sticking to their guns, Keane had shown no signs of injury in what was a superb individual performance.
Niall Quinn and Rory Delap also withdrew because of injury, leaving manager Mick McCarthy with no option other than to start several untried players such as Matt Holland and Dominic Foley.
Asked if he felt the players would have been fit if the game had been a competitive one, McCarthy said: "If they’re injured, they’re injured. That happens sometimes, whether it’s a competitive game or not. The important thing now is that I just have to get on with it."
Player awards
Midfielder Mark Kinsella was voted as Ireland’s International Player of the Year at an awards ceremony in Dublin last Sunday. Richard Dunne won the Young Player of the Year award, while Barry Quinn took the under 21 award and Pat Fenlon the national league honor.