Beleaguered FAI bosses could make life a lot easier for themselves if they pick up the phone to Sarah Keane.
That's the view of Sport Ireland chief executive John Treacy, who has marvelled at how Keane has turned around a toxic situation in the Olympic Council of Ireland AND Swim Ireland.
Keane was the only survivor of the OCI board clearout post-Rio and the tickets debacle.
And, as the first female president of the body, she fronted a massive effort, including a rebranding process, to change the culture and corporate governance of the newly-named Olympic Federation of Ireland.
Over a decade earlier, Keane grasped the nettle as the new CEO of Swim Ireland by clearing house after the association was rocked by child abuse scandals.
So having turned things around twice, Treacy reckons she would be the right person for FAI chiefs to consult with now in their own crisis situation.
"Yeah, I think so," said Treacy. "Sarah was on the (OCI) board, didn't resign when the crisis hit but decided to do something about it and I think that's a great example and great leadership.
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"She had an issue in the swimming as well and she led it from the front as chief executive, and had the support of a strong board behind her.
"These are really, really important pieces."
If the OCI/OFI can turn things around in a little over two years, Treacy is adamant that, with the right people in place on the board and a strong CEO appointed, the FAI can follow suit.
He explained: "What emerged in the Olympic Federation was real leadership and I think that played a huge role - people with high standards in terms of corporate governance, transparency, integrity, all those pieces are hugely important.
"That's what needs to emerge as we're going forward - that's someone to step forward and lead the organisation, and a board to step forward to lead the organisation.
"And that is possible. Without a shadow of a doubt, that is possible.
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"And people need to make sure they have the skills before they step on that board and know what their responsiblities are.
"And I certainly believe, with the right will that the right things can be done and you can have a good, strong board and all those issues, in two years time, three years time, you could be looking at a totally different organisation.
"That is possible."
Treacy is clear on what the FAI requires now as board members prepare to step down ahead of the planned July AGM.
"What we need is a strong board that exercises control over the organisation - and that leads and outlines the policy and strategy.
"The chief executive then that comes in implements that. That’s what you need".
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