FAI President David Blood said he was delighted, on behalf of the Board, to secure Delaney's services for the next six years. "The progress made by the Association under John's executive leadership has been very significant and the Board is delighted to have committed John until 2012."

"We have made great strides across all sectors of the game and overall our sport, the largest in the country, is in very good shape. We have lots more to do and, with John's period of leadership now set for six more years, we can continue our developments with great certainty."

Highlighting what he regarded as Delaney's key achievements to date, Blood said: "We have managed to pursue our strategic objectives in key areas such as the Lansdowne Road Stadium development, the progression of the National Academy at Abbotstown and the merger of the Eircom League while also advancing successfully the development of the game through the successful implementation of the Technical Development Plan and the strengthening of the game at grass roots."