FAI cuts debt by nearly €4m in 2025, chief executive tells AGM

Football Association of Ireland Cuts Debt to €38.1 Million

The Football Association of Ireland trimmed its liabilities by nearly €4 million in 2025, bringing total debt down to €38.1 million from €42 million, chief executive David Courell announced at the organization’s Annual General Meeting.

Saturday’s meeting at the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs in Cork City arrived on the heels of a turbulent stretch for the governing body. The gathering followed Nations League fixtures for the men’s senior side against Israel and an appearance before an Oireachtas committee where concerns regarding safeguarding practices were raised. Prior to the main AGM, an extraordinary general meeting convened to brief members of the general assembly on the matter of safeguarding.

Revenue Declines

While the balance sheet showed deleveraging, the association’s top-line revenue contracted. Total revenue fell by €2.3 million in 2025. The drop was largely put down to the hosting of the 2024 Europa League final between Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen at the Aviva Stadium.

Offsetting that revenue dip, the association generated nearly €2.3 million in cash. A notable spike in season-ticket sales drove much of that liquidity, spurred by Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side reaching the World Cup qualifiers earlier this year following a win over Hungary last November. Demand peaked immediately after Troy Parrott’s hat-trick in Budapest, with 32,000 season tickets purchased by supporters for 2026.

Domestic Fixtures Draw One Million Fans

Beyond the senior men’s national team, the FAI highlighted steady growth across domestic operations. Domestic fixtures drew one million fans for the third consecutive season. The calendar also featured the first staging of the Women’s Development League alongside the commencement of a League of Ireland Economic Impact Assessment.

Meanwhile, viewership for the senior women’s team surged by 29 per cent as the squad prepares to face Poland in the World Cup playoffs next month.

FAI cuts debt by nearly €4m in 2025, chief executive tells AGM

The assembly also approved several governance updates. Members learned that Robert Watt has stepped down from his position, while the general assembly ratified the re-elections of Caroline Rhatigan, Ursula Scully, Laura Finnegan-O’Halloran, and Packie Bonner. Paul Cooke, Úna Henry, Trevor Nulty, Aaron Murphy, and Anne O’Dwyer secured approval as members of the Audit, Risk, Compliance and Finance Committee.

Former government minister Dermot Ahern received an honorary life membership. FAI president Paul Cooke praised the Dundalk native, noting that Ahern maintained a strong connection to grassroots football through Rock Celtic and played an influential role in the growth of the League of Ireland.

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