Donal Conway has been reappointed as the president of the Football Association of Ireland - despite opposition from the Sports Minister and Sports Ireland.

He was the only candidate put before members at today's AGM in Co Meath.

Mr Conway received 134 out of a possible 140 voted.

Five delegates voted against him and one abstained.

The association confirmed Mr Conway had been re-elected:

At today's AGM, Donal Conway has been re-elected as President of the Football Association of Ireland pic.twitter.com/IYdXhfbxYI — FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) July 27, 2019

Mr Conway will hold the role until the 2020 AGM, and indicated he will step down after that.

He told delegates: "If, in the meantime, there were circumstances where it was the right thing for the association that I would step away... I would not hesitate to do that.

"The immediate task next week would be for myself and senior staff to sit down with the new football members to start passing on the knowledge."

Vice president Noel Fitzroy, meanwhile, confirmed that he would not seek re-election to the position.

In an emotional speech, he said he was faced with no alternative but to withdraw from the process.

That left two candidates for the role - Paul Cooke and Gerry McAnaney.

Mr Cooke of Waterford FC was ultimately elected to the role with 80 votes to Mr McAnaney's 57.

FAI Vice President Election Results:



Paul Cooke: 80

Gerry McAnaney: 57

Spoiled: 2



Paul Cooke is elected Vice President of the Football Association of Ireland pic.twitter.com/xWeCtR2gAd — FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) July 27, 2019

Last weekend, the FAI held an extraordinary general meeting, after governance and financial issues arose at the organisation earlier this year.

It agreed to make changes to its constitution after recommendations from the Governance Review Group.

They include changes to the board structure - it will now include 12 people, including four independent members, six nominated directors and at least four females.

At the AGM in Trim today members will hear of those changes.

Donal Conway

Donal Conway was widely expected to be reappointed as president as he was the only candidate nominated.

Sports Minister Shane Ross had previously asked him to stand aside.

Minister Ross claimed an unopposed re-election would fall short of the 'transparency and democracy' expectations of the Association.

He called for "new leadership with credible reform credentials, in the best interests of football".

However, Mr Conway refused to withdraw his nomination.

FIFA and UEFA, meanwhile, voiced 'serious concerns' regarding the Minister's letter - saying organisations such as the FAI are obliged to "manage their affairs independently and without undue influence from any third party".

Today's AGM is being held at the Knightsbrook hotel in Trim.

No accounts will be presented at the meeting because of ongoing issues.

Main image: FAI Extraordinary General Meeting Press Conference, Dunboyne Castle Hotel, Co. Meath 20/7/2019 - FAI President Donal Conway. Image Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne