Louth TD Joanna Byrne reiterates commitment to Drogheda United

Joanna Byrne TD has written to Drogheda United fans saying she is "deeply committed to Drogheda United and want to see it flourish".

"I will continue to elevate it, and the League of Ireland more broadly, at every opportunity", she said.

“Drogheda United has been the longest love of my life.

"I’m proud of our history and tradition, and exceptionally proud that we are the first League of Ireland club to ever have appointed a female Chairperson.”

In her letter, written following the decision by Drogheda United owners Trivela to remove her as chairperson, Ms. Byrne said: “The past few weeks have been a difficult time for me personally, but I have carried myself with integrity at all times in recent weeks, for the good of the club.

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“This approach is the opposite to the cold, underhand move by Trivela, initiated in the dark of the night, which was planned and co-ordinated without any consultation with me. This is symptomatic of the way they do business.”

Rejecting the narrative spun by Trivela, she added: “On February 12th, following the UEFA Nations League draw, I released a written statement, in my capacity as the Sinn Féin spokesperson on sport, which never mentioned Drogheda United in any form.

“The underlying issue here is, as I’ve stated from the beginning, my strong stance that Ireland should not play Israel in the UEFA Nations League while a genocide against the Palestinian people continues.”

Trivela Group, the American owners of the Co Louth club, announced on Monday morning that Byrne had been removed as a director of the club, thanking her “for her longstanding and ongoing dedication to the club and its success”.

Joanna Byrne’s letter to Drogheda United fans in full:

"Dear Drogheda United fans,

I write this letter with a heavy heart as I note the statement made by Trivela this morning removing me from my position as co-chairperson and member of the board of management of Drogheda United Football Club.

The past few weeks have been a difficult time for me personally, but I have carried myself with integrity at all times in recent weeks, for the good of the club.

This approach is the opposite to the cold, underhand move by Trivela, initiated in the dark of the night, which was planned and co-ordinated without any consultation with me. This is symptomatic of the way they do business.

A narrative has been peddled in recent weeks of a conflict of interest between my role as co-chair and my role as an opposition spokesperson on sport, something I categorically dispute.

I have consciously kept my politics hat and Drogs hat separate for many years, something which wasn’t easy to do but something I managed successfully.

I have always been transparent and open with fans and in the spirit of that transparency it is important to put a number of facts on the record and outline the sequence of events over the last few weeks.

On February 12th, following the UEFA Nations League draw, I released a written statement, in my capacity as the Sinn Féin spokesperson on sport, which never mentioned Drogheda United in any form.

On February 16th, I met with two board members of the club for a private conversation, I had no intention of making the matter public and always hoped for an amicable resolution but unfortunately details of this conversation were leaked to our fans - fans who elected me into the role as Chairperson and those who I have always vowed to be transparent and open with.

As a result, I had no option but to respond on February 18th to let the fans know that I had no intention of resigning.

The facts also are that I was a sitting Councillor when Trivela took over Drogheda Utd and subsequently stood in two elections since, another local election and then a general election.

Neither of these were ever an issue with Trivela and they were consulted prior to both, and they were supportive at the time.

At the time Trivela took ownership of the club, the issue of a potential conflict was discussed with them and no issue was raised.

Despite this, following my election as a TD, I asked Trivela last summer to do their own due diligence on this potential conflict of interest to reassure us all, which they did by consulting with both international and our own national governing bodies, and following no concerns being raised from any stakeholder, Trivela reiterated that they were happy for me to stay on in my role.

This very fact proves to me that the underlying issue here is as I’ve stated from the beginning, my strong stance that Ireland should not play Israel in the UEFA Nations League while a genocide against the Palestinian people continues.

Finally, it is important to point out that despite this previous internal process of due diligence, Trivela stated last week in a statement that they had carried out another internal review, which I was not aware of, nor asked to partake in, even though I was a board member, director and co-chairperson of the club. This alone is an injustice in itself.

I’ve said it before and will say it again, Drogheda United has been the longest love of my life. I’m proud of our history and tradition and exceptionally proud that we are the first League of Ireland club to ever have appointed a female Chairperson.

This, I hope, will in time pave the way for other clubs to reflect on their top tables and start implementing gender balance. To go down in history as having the honour of being the first female chair is obviously something I cherish, but more importantly, if it shows other women involved in the game that they too can smash their own glass ceiling that will always be my greatest achievement.

I am deeply committed to Drogheda United and want to see it flourish. I will continue to elevate it, and the League of Ireland more broadly, at every opportunity. For too many years our domestic game has been under-resourced, under-appreciated and under valued and I will continue to fight for the League of Ireland to get the support it deserves.

I want to thank everybody who has supported me in my role over recent years. From former board members to the wonderful staff, amazing volunteers and squads at all levels - you are what makes this football club so great. Continue being great ambassadors for the crest you all wear on your heart.

To the Drogs fans – you simply are the best in the league. Without you, we would be nothing. You have held us up in the dark days and you have amplified the love and joy in celebrating the successes on the bright days. You now need to Keep the Drogs Flag Flying High.

I also would like to mention the staff in the League of Ireland office, I know first-hand the work that goes on behind the scenes to try and evolve the league to realise its full potential. I am forever in awe of your commitment and dedication and I hope to continue supporting you in your endeavours.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone who has reached out to me in recent weeks, both local supporters and LOI fans right around the nation. Your support at a very difficult time means so much. But that is what makes the LOI the greatest league in the world.

Football is in my DNA and Drogheda United is in my heart - that can’t be removed from me. I am looking forward to putting this behind me now and returning to the terraces among the rank and file of the Drog faithful and continuing to support the club we all love, as a fan.

Joanna