I don’t see myself or Brian Kerr getting a Christmas card from Fran Gavin this year.
Most of you will have seen or heard about Monday’s debate on RTE’s ‘Soccer Republic’.
As FAI Director of Competitions, Fran was invited on to discuss the fall out from the €100,000 grant controversy.
Myself and Brian were the panelists and it was lively stuff. Brian got stuck in and had a right pop off Fran.
That sort of passion is one of the most powerful things you can communicate but, at the same time, you need to move the conversation on.
I felt it was important to get something more constructive out of Fran, to hear what his thoughts were. That way you can question the FAI more.
When he took his seat during the ad break, I noticed that Fran had notes with him, various points he wanted to make.
He had his closing argument all lined up. For me, that’s the difference. Myself and Brian just spoke from the heart. We didn’t need a script.
You don’t get much time on TV to discuss things in detail. It can be hard to articulate a point and the situation is complicated further when emotions run high.
But I felt it was important to keep the debate going after the show. I wanted to get more answers out of Fran.
When the cameras stopped rolling, there was this eerie moment of silence. We were sitting right beside each other after all, having just gone hammer and tongs.
But within seconds the row started up again. If anything it actually got a lot worse behind the scenes. It was definitely more heated.
Did we end on bad terms? There’s no doubt about it.
Brian was pretty wound up on the show, even more so after it. And in that environment it’s funny what you notice around you.
The RTE floor staff were going about their business, desperately trying to avoid eye contact with the three of us as we launched into each other again.
It was nearly 1.00am and they just wanted to go home. It was a full blown row and detail tends to get lost in a situation like that.
Bits and pieces of information emerged but it was disappointing that a clearer message didn’t come out during the show itself.
There were times during Monday’s programme when I felt caught in the cross-fire. I’d no problems with that, even though I had my own frustrations to air.
I’ve had enough rants in my career – one more memorable, if that’s the right word, than the rest … but let’s not go there!
Plus, let’s be honest, a two-on-one situation doesn’t reflect particularly well on anyone.
Brian Kerr is a fine League of Ireland man and the frustration he harbours is echoed by most clubs, players and supporters that I know.
In fact, I don’t think there’s a better individual to air those grievances and it was important that we and the FAI heard his gripes.
Now we must act on it. But therein lies one of my biggest issues with this league – nothing moves at pace, more like a snail’s pace.
It’s a year since the Conroy Report and it’s gathering dust on a shelf. Where is the drive from the powers that be to get things done quickly?
Yet it’s amazing how quick the FAI are to question those who criticise.
Take last Friday, after my Mirror column appeared, I got a phone call from the FAI’s Director of Communications to question me on what I wrote.
If the FAI were more open and transparent in their running of the league, they wouldn’t get as much legitimate flak as they do.
Take the €100,000 grant announcement. Why not have a press conference, instead of issuing a press release? Field questions there and then and explain it in detail. That was a PR disaster.
To me, the FAI are an association in lockdown, not accountable for anything.
I admire St Pat’s and Derry for refusing to accept the €5,000 grant and I hope Monday’s debate encourages more clubs to question the governing body.
