Quigley, who has held the Connacht FA top job for close to 30 years, along with secretary Noel Kennedy, who has held the job for 25 years, were both requested to stand down by the FAI.

It is understood that the leadership of both sides were not seeing eye to eye on several issues and as a result it was increasingly difficult for matters to progress within the province.

Both men then stood down voluntarily but are entitled to stand again for the positions in 12 months' time. In the meantime, the FAI have decided to appoint an independent chairperson and secretary from outside the province to oversee the region .

At a meeting of the Connacht FA last Tuesday, news of the changes were announced with fears by a number of delegates that there was an agenda within the FAI for absolute control within the province.

When contacted by the Sunday Tribune yesterday, Quigley refused to be drawn on the matter beyond stating: "To be honest, I think that this is a matter for within football itself."

Quigley remains on the Domestic Committee of the FAI while Kennedy holds his positions on both the Development and International Committees.

FAI chief executive John Delaney also declined to comment when contacted last night.