Noel Mooney, Ireland’s highest placed executive at UEFA, is leaving the organisation to take up the position of CEO at the Welsh Football Association. He will start in his new role on August 30th.

He is currently Head of Strategic Development working with all 55 European federations on their development including strategy, commercial revenues, participation, public affairs, digital transformation and governance.

In 2019 he was a central figure as the FAI sought to balance itself after the departure of John Delaney. He became interim CEO here but his having served as a Marketing Executive under the reign of Delaney, he was not seen as an acceptable long term replacement by Minister at the time Shane Ross.

Mooney hails from Cappamore in Limerick and is a former League of Ireland goalkeeper who played for Limerick, Cork City and Shamrock Rovers.

Following his playing career, he joined the Football Association of Ireland in 2006, before moving to UEFA in 2011. While there, he has created a number of leading development programmes that have been adopted right across the European football landscape.

Always a pleasure to deal with he is a great candidate to lead Wales in the next phase of their development. Breakthrough back to back appearances at the European Championships have brought the sport to life where Rugby has traditionally been dominant.

“In this next chapter for Welsh football, we will grow and evolve the game to become more popular and successful,” he said as news emerged last week of his appointment.

“The mission is very clear and I can’t wait to work with everyone in Welsh football to reach our full potential. I have enjoyed collaborating with great people to grow European football at UEFA for the past decade and now the focus will be on ensuring that the FAW becomes one of the best football associations globally at all levels by being strong locally in every village and town across Wales.”

he will always be a friend to Ireland, as he has always been to Sport for Business and we wish him well in this latest chapter.

 

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