Only one FAI board member backed Vera Pauw to stay

They belatedly got around to applying a lick of paint to the FAI headquarters in Abbotstown, white dash covering the exterior greyness that gave the single-story premises the look of a soviet building from the communist era.

It had been in the same state since Michel Platini graced his friend John Delaney for the official opening in 2007, save for the odd letter of the association name dropping off as a metaphor for the dereliction inside too.

Those hearing the tidings of the executive leads within the walls of the boardroom on Tuesday night could testify to the past being left behind.

Just like that bright, shiny exterior, Delaney’s permanent successor Jonathan Hill and Marc Canham, effectively the replacement for Ruud Dokter, spoke of a clean slate with a new women’s team manager.

Vera Pauw had her time, almost four years of it, and the junction of a new campaign was opportune to embrace the modernity of what the current FAI values.

Philosophy, and similar words to that effect, were espoused to validate this change of direction for the Nations League campaign kicking off in three weeks and the Euro qualifiers that follow early next year.

That Pauw had made history by steering Ireland to a first tournament was acknowledged during the World Cup review presentation but not worthy of the automatic extension floated in the joyous weeks within the afterglow of the Hampden Park heroics that sealed qualification.

For the FAI to optimise the female game, stitching the structure from U15s up to senior level, an alternative leader was essential in their view.

The recommendation for change delivered by the duo was then put to the 11-person, some of whom participated remotely, and all bar one kept their hands down when