FAI lament 'no contact' from Limerick owner Pat O'Sullivan as Munster club looks set for liquidation

The FAI have noted “with disappointment” the end of examinership at Limerick FC as the Munster club looks set to go into liquidation.

Limerick have been in examinership since September and owner Pat O’Sullivan has sought investors to revive the club but, with no new owners forthcoming, the club is set to go into liquidation.

Financial problems have dogged the club this year with players voting for strike action in May over unpaid wages while Sean Russell was forced to crowdfund for surgery on an injury sustained playing for the club.

The club were retroactively deducted 26 points as a result of their examinership, leaving them bottom of the table.

Examiner Conor Noone of Baker Tilly Chartered Accountants said “everything possible has been undertaken to secure the future of the company” and reluctantly agreed to end the process today.

The association released a statement expressing its disappointment that “there has been no contact between […] O’Sullivan and the FAI” over how to proceed following today’s news.

The First Division looks set to proceed in 2020 with nine clubs after Limerick declined to submit an application, although a Shamrock Rovers B side may yet make up the numbers.

“The Football Association of Ireland notes with disappointment the end of the examinership at the parent company of Limerick FC today,” read the association’s statement.

“League of Ireland officials have been in regular contact with the Examiner over the past few months and will assess the situation in the coming days.

“There has been no contact between the Limerick owner Pat O’Sullivan and the FAI over how he intends to proceed following today’s news.

“No application for a League of Ireland licence was made by Limerick FC as the club was in examinership.”