John Fallon: Solo runs by Barrett reminiscent of dark FAI past

He was consistent, if nothing else. 

Roy Barrett departed his role as FAI chairman last weekend in the same blaze of controversy he entered four years ago, defiant in his beliefs and dismissive of those questioning his authority to plough a lone furrow.

The concept of introducing a first-ever independent chairman for Irish football, in contrast to the dictatorship that went before, was billed as transformational but the trend of concealment within decision-making since left some wondering if anything has really changed at the top.

Within three weeks of his arrival, the former Goodbody Stockbroker MD of 26 years was flexing his muscle and fellow board members didn’t take kindly to elbows being shoved in their faces.

Firstly, there was an instant reunion with members of his Visionary Group, Gary Owens and Niall Quinn, as the executive combo and the sense of a new broom was obvious when only his fellow independent newcomers Catherine Guy and Liz Joyce accompanied him to hatch the bailout deal with then Sports Minister Shane Ross.

That the elected president nor any of the football directors weren’t invited to that landmark meeting spelt trouble but moreso the solo run of Barrett to cede an extra two seats to the independent side, thereby creating an equal split across the 12-person boardroom table.

An erroneous claim by Owens that the concession was a board decision triggered a public spat but the new chairman was immovable in his stance, adamant to members and media alike he carried the autonomy to make the calls without assembling his board first.

Not even the conflict of interests waft cascading from revelations of Bank of Ireland governor Patrick Kennedy recommending him for the job rattled the multimillionaire. They