Mayo FC Chairman calls Budget 2026 funding boost a landmark day for Irish soccer
Soccer in Mayo is set to benefit significantly from the announcement that Budget 2026 will see €3 million be invested in the League of Ireland Academy system.
The funding is expected to transform Irish football by enabling club-based academies to appoint full-time staff.
This, in turn, will help professionalise coaching, enhance player development, and contribute to creating a viable football industry in Ireland.
Joe Faughnan, the chairman of Mayo FC, said it was a landmark day for Irish soccer.
“The funding will really push on the game in the country, and it will make a huge difference to the academies,
“There have only been ten full-time employees in club academies across the country before today, this will probably bring it to over 60,” he said.
Mr Faughnan highlighted the impact that full-time, dedicated staff can have on a club, allowing them to focus on strategy, coaching, and day-to-day operations.
“It will bring up the level of coaching and the level of organisation within the club. It is a gamechanger for the club in relation to how it works,” he said.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) had requested €4.5 million in their pre-budget submission, which would have allowed each League of Ireland academy to create three full-time positions: an academy director, a head of coaching, and an academy administrator.
Mr Faughnan said Mayo FC will meet with the FAI to ‘double pass’ on exactly how the €3m will be distributed, and what funding will come to the county.
“The early information we are getting is there will be two full-time roles, whether that is the academy manager and director of coaching, we are not 100% sure yet, but we should know later on today,” he confirmed.
He also praised the dedication of the Mayo FC team in securing the investment, thanking Will Clarke, Mark Scanlon, and Pat Duffy for their dedication over the last number of years.
Mr Faughnan also acknowledged the role of Senator Mark Duffy, a former goalkeeper for Ballina Town FC who remains closely involved with Mayo FC, for his work behind the scenes and for advocating on the club’s behalf in the Seanad.
Senator Duffy described the funding as a “gamechanger” for Mayo FC.
“Being able to offer full-time roles to the best coaches in the region will transform their capacity to drive standards and, crucially, it shows that there is a realistic pathway to a career in football here in Mayo,
“Mayo has always produced talented footballers, in spite of the lack of resources, but this investment will allow Mayo FC to compete on a level playing field and offer local talent the very best opportunity to fulfil their potential,” he said.
The Fine Gael Senator highlighted that clubs across Ireland are achieving remarkable results, often operating on a part-time basis, and welcomed the increased support for players to reach their full potential and compete internationally.
“Brexit has meant that player development is no longer outsourced to English clubs, and the investment announced today will allow Irish academies to build on existing infrastructure and to identify and nurture talent on a regional basis,” he added.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.