Padraig Grogan of Ballymoe FC with FAI chief John Delaney and partner Emma English at the official opening of the club’s redeveloped pitch.

FAI chief and Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) executive John Delaney attended a club visit yesterday - just one day after he had been expected.

Mr Delaney, who sits on the executive committee of the scandal-rocked OCI, had been due to visit the Ballymoe FC grounds on Saturday.

However, he did not emerge to open the club's new soccer pitch in Co Galway.

As a result, Mr Delaney avoided the waiting media, who wanted to put questions to him regarding the Rio ticket-touting scandal.

It has now emerged that Mr Delaney visited the club yesterday - and brought the financial goodies with him.

In a press release last night, Ballymoe FC revealed that it received €10,000 in funding from the FAI "following a visit to the club" by Mr Delaney.

The club also stated that the football chief had been "forced" to abandon his scheduled Saturday visit.

"John visited the club on Sunday afternoon after he was forced to make changes to a busy schedule of club visits over the weekend," said a spokeswoman for the club.

It was presented with 50 tickets for this week's Ireland match and received funding for the development of an all-weather pitch.

Representatives for Ballymoe FC last night said they were keen for Mr Delaney to return.

A spokeswoman said: "We are delighted that John has committed to returning to the club again later in the year and we look forward to welcoming him back to turn on floodlights."

Several TDs have previously said it would be helpful if Mr Delaney was to make a public statement on the Rio ticketing issue.

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Irish Independent