Limerick man extends tenure at Chief Executive of Wales Football Association

LIMERICK man Noel Mooney has extended his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the Football Association of Wales through to 2030.

Cappamore native Mooney joined the FA Wales from UEFA in 2021 and made an immediate impact, launching the Association’s new strategic vision Our Wales/Ein Cymru within his first three months, alongside ensuring significant governance reforms through the A Sustainable Association for the Future programme.

Forty nine-year-old former goalkeeper Mooney retired from playing at the end of the 2006 season to take up a position at FAI Headquarters.

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Limerick FC announced the signing of former Cork City and Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Mooney in 2005. Mooney started his career at Limerick, before moving to Turner's Cross, where he helped City capture the FAI Cup in 1998, defeating Shelbourne after a replay. He went on to play with Rovers, and was instrumental in keeping the Dubliners in the Premier Division in the 2004 season.

Following his playing career, he joined the Football Association of Ireland in 2006 where his role was focussed on domestic football, later having the responsibility of marketing the League of Ireland.

Before joining the Football Association of Wales five years ago, Mooney had been with the European football governing body since 2011 and was seconded to the FAI for six months in 2019 to lead the association ad interim.

At UEFA, he created a number of leading development programmes which have been adopted right across the European football landscape.

During his time as Chief Executive, the Wales' men's national team have qualified for a first World Cup for 64 years while the women's side made their major tournament debut at last summer's European Championships.

The FAW has also undergone a far-reaching period of modernisation, delivering sustained progress on and off the pitch. Under Mooney’s leadership, the FAW has been recognised as one of the most progressive and admired governing bodies in the British Isles, while football has become Wales’ most popular sport for both boys and girls in terms of interest and participation.

Speaking about the extension, Limerick man Noel Mooney said: “We are on a fantastic journey, and I want to thank everyone who is supporting us and Welsh football more generally. We were confident that we could build a great sports organisation and we have already achieved so much in a relatively short space of time.

"However, we have a lot to do to become the world-class football association that we can and must become, and we are absolutely determined to deliver this fully before I pass the baton on to the next leader.

“We have a real ‘Together Stronger’ spirit between the Board, Council and staff with a focus on serving our army of volunteers, our clubs and stakeholders. We believe football can play an increasing role in the confidence, success and inclusiveness of Cymru and we are absolutely focused on reaching our full potential in the years ahead.

"I truly appreciate all the support around me, as without everyone working together to demonstrate our values of Family, Excellence and Respect we would not be able to work towards this vision and achieve our aspirations. As the FAW motto expresses – ‘Gorau Chwarae Cyd Chwarae’ – I absolutely believe that the best play is team play.”

FAW President, Mike Jones, added: “Noel has brought a new level of ambition and collaboration to Welsh football, enabling us to grow at every level. Noel cares deeply about every club, league and Area Association in Wales, which we see every day in how he leads the organisation.

"He works closely with myself and the FAW Council to ensure that the voice of the members is carefully considered, and this leads to trust and collaboration which in turn leads to success.”