Athlone man poised to take FAI Presidency

ATHLONE native Paddy McCaul is poised to take up one of the highest profile positions in Irish soccer this weekend. The 54-year-old well-known local businessman will succeed David Blood as President of the Football Association of Ireland at Saturday's Annual General Meeting in Wexford. McCaul - originally from Iona Park in Athlone but now living in Coosan - has served as vice-president of the FAI since 2007, and will be promoted to president upon the conclusion of Blood's mandatory two-year reign. The former long-serving chairman of Athlone Town FC was also chairperson of the League of Ireland for two years from 2005, and in recent times has experienced a rapid progression through the ranks of officialdom within Irish soccer. Speaking of his imminent appointment, which is expected to be ratified without opposition at this weekend's AGM, McCaul said it's an honour to become president of the association. "I never like to jump the gun, to be honest, but I believe the appointment will be endorsed without opposition this weekend," he said. "It's an exciting challenge and one I very much look forward to. I've enjoyed my role as vice-president since 2007, and feel I learned a lot during that period. It's going to be a change for me but one I'm excited about taking on," added McCaul. The role of president of the association will obviously come with a heavy burden, with the association having recently moved into the AVIVA Stadium in Lansdowne Road, and with the ongoing progression of the association's base at Abbotstown. The FAI also run the rule over the Airtricity League of Ireland, so McCaul will no doubt have his hands full in the coming months and years ahead. "The FAI see the next four or five years as crucial for the ongoing development and progression of the organisation. Obviously, we have the move to the AVIVA Stadium and everything that goes with it, but we also feel that the League of Ireland will see the benefits of its merger with the FAI over the next few years," said McCaul. Current Chief Executive Officer of the association, John Delaney, is presently one of the most high-profile faces in Irish soccer, and has often been cast into the public limelight in recent years in relation to the running of the association. McCaul will work closely with Delaney to ensure the ongoing progress of the association, but admits the public scrutiny the role involves is not something he relishes. "I look forward to doing all I can to help the association, but I don't look forward to the high-profile nature of the role. But I love working with the FAI and doing all I can to contribute to the success of the organisation," he said. A businessman of repute, Paddy's involvement with two of the best known businnesses on Athlone's Connaught-side - the Palace Bar on St. Peter's Square and the Shamrock Lodge Hotel - have made him a renowned figure among Athlone's business community. Prior to his involvement with the FAI, Paddy spent over ten years on the committee of Athlone Town FC, and occupied the role of chairman for the majority of that period. He maintains a close affection for his home town soccer club, but due to his involvement with the FAI cannot have any direct involvement with the club. When nominated for an Athlone People of the Year Award by the readers of the Westmeath Independent in 2006, he was quoted as saying: "It was always challenging with Athlone Town FC but I loved it. I still love the club, always will. And I can see myself back there in the future." An uncle of well-known Athlone musical duo Donna and Joe McCaul, Paddy is married to Eileen (originally from Drum), and has three sons, Alan, Shane and Padraig, and a daughter, Aine.