Evan and hell: The A to Z of a tumultuous 2023 for Irish football

Women kicked off 2023 ahead of their male international counterparts and that’s the way it ended as Ireland’s Euro hopes ceased in tandem with Stephen Kenny’s reign. 

Domestically, Shamrock Rovers were on the up in contrast to their old rivals Cork City going down but at least other proud provincials, Galway United and Waterford met them on the way up.

For portents of optimism, a teenager from Bettystown drew acclaim from Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, adamant he’s a Premier League striker for the ages. No pressure Evan Ferguson as we list our A to Z of what unfolded in the past 12 months.

AUSTRALIA: The scene of Irish football’s highpoint of the year, the first major tournament appearance for the women’s team and kicking it off against the co-World Cup hosts before a crowd of 75,000. Brisbane and Perth were also taken in as the team traversed multiple timezones on their maiden odyssey.

BARRETT: Roy, the FAI’s first ever independent chairman, whose near four-year term ended in controversy. The ex-stockbroking guru ignored expert advice to embark on a solo run to sanction an unorthodox payment to his chief executive and remained steadfast despite the flak he shipped from all quarters when his secretive action was uncovered.

CORK: The home city of Miah Dennehy, who passed away at the age of 73. It was in 1972, 51 years ago, that the man raised in Templeacre Avenue, Gurranebraher became the first to score an FAI Cup final hat-trick, as Cork Hibs defeated Munster rivals Waterford United. A bona fide legend who unfortunately never fully recovered from an assault he was subjected to in 2007.

DEBT: What the FAI are still swimming in. While it has been reduced to €44m, Jonathan Hill admitted Covid-19 payouts by the State