The FAI is hoping that the Euro 2020 play-off against Slovakia will take place in November.
"I'd like the play-off as late as we can," interim FAI CEO Gary Owens told FAI TV.
"We have been trying to get the play-off in the November series, rather than in September or October."
On Saturday, the association announced that Stephen Kenny would be taking over as senior men's manager with immediate effect.
Kenny had been due to succeed Mick McCarthy on August 1st. However, the postponement of the play-off against Slovakia until later this year expedited the process.
"We needed to put Stephen in place now in advance of a very busy autumn period," Owens continued.
"That would give Stephen and his team the chance to play some friendlies and Nations League matches in advance of the play-off.
"That gives us a lot of time to prepare for that one match. Qualifying for the Euros would be huge because there are four matches here.
"The contracts themselves were complicated enough but when you throw on top of that the deferrals of the play-offs, the Euros and then the virus, it's been a very strange and sometimes desperate time for football.
"It was absolutely the right decision to make now. We spoke to Mick and he completely understood that."
Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
