A number of FAI Board appointments were ratified, while Kerry FC's inclusion in the 2023 SSE Airtricity League First Division was confirmed at today's resumed Annual General Meeting in Dublin.

Packie Bonner and Robert Watt were ratified for a further two years on the FAI Board, though there was surprise as SFAI representative Tom Browne was not endorsed at today's Annual General Meeting in Dublin.

Female representation on the FAI Board rose to 25% - three members of the 12-strong Board - with the election of Niamh O'Mahony, who is the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Governance with Football Supporters Europe.

The Schoolboy Football Association of Ireland representative Browne was not ratified, with 44 votes in favour and 46 against.

That place on the board will now be held open.

FAI President Gerry McAnaney said O'Mahony’s appointment was an important one.

"It’s great, and as you know that’s a challenge that we must reach by the end of 2023 and we’re all committed as a board [to achieve that]. Niamh on board today is a great plus."

McAnaney said that targeting greater volunteer numbers would be one of the main aims of 2023, particularly when it comes to female teams.

"I think one of the biggest challenges for me personally would be to engage more with the football community in a sense that we need we to get more volunteers into our game.

"A couple of years ago, challenges was where we were going to get the next few quid, now we're down to real football challenges."

"The business side of the house, the governance side of the house, we seem to have under control.

"The commercial side of the house, our season tickets, all of that is going the right way.

"But we need to get more people involved."

"A couple of years ago, challenges was where we were going to get the next few quid, now we're down to real football challenges," he added.

Meanwhile, Kerry FC's full membership of the FAI was ratified, with 94 votes in favour, though three delegates voted against.

The club will compete in the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland First Division for the 2023 season. Their home games will be played at Mounthawk Park in Tralee.

Aerial view of Mounthawk Park in Tralee, the home of Kerry FC

Due to 'technical issues' the Association's resumed AGM last month was deferred. The meeting was unable to validate the votes of 89 delegates.

Many reported that virtual ballot papers had landed in spam or junk folders. The FAI's original AGM was held in July of last year.

On that occasion, the FAI were unable to satisfy the gender quota balance required under the memorandum of understanding with Government, which called for a 40% female board representation by 2023.

In his resignation statement last week, Independent Chairman Roy Barrett referenced this memorandum of understanding, remarking that his decision to step down would provide them with an opportunity to meet the required gender quota.

In the coming months a public process to replace both Barrett and Independent Director Gary Twohig will be overseen.