Republic of Ireland: Gerry McAnaney elected as interim president of the Association until July 2020

Gerry McAnaney, 61, has been elected president of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) after beating Martin Heraghty by 88 votes to 40 at the Association's general assembly held in Blanchardstown, a suburb of Dublin (IRL) on 25/01/2020.

Until the annual general assembly scheduled for July 2020, McAnaney will replace Donal Conway, who was elected president for a four year term on 18/08/2018, but who had to announce his resignation after the Association's accounts were published on 06/12/2019, under pressure from Shane Ross, Ireland's Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Shane Ross revealed, on 18/12/2019, that the FAI had asked the government for a bailout of €18m, which was refused.

Gerry McAnaney, a retired army officer, was born in Dublin but has lived in Cork for 35 years, where he also played as goalkeeper and worked as a goalkeeping coach.

"McAnaney, has been involved in football administration for several years, serving on a wide range of committees and panels within the association. The 61-year-old currently represents 'Football For All' on the FAI national council,…