FAI pay tribute to former president Pat Quigley

The FAI have paid tribute to former president of the association Pat Quigley, who has died after a short illness.

Quigley served as president from 1996 to 2001. He was the first Mayo man to be elected president of the FAI Youth Council and was an influential football presence in the west of Ireland, with ties to Road Rangers, Castlebar Celtic, the Mayo Football League, the Mayo Schoolboys and Schoolgirls League and the Mayo Youth League.

He also served as chair of the Connacht Football Association for several years and was chair of the UEFA Youth and Amateur Football Committee.

"Irish football has lost a great man with Pat's passing," said current FAI president Paul Cooke.

"Throughout his life Pat was a football visionary for the game, firstly in Castlebar, then in Mayo and across Connacht and also on the national and international stage where he represented his country with such pride and distinction at home and abroad.

"His influence on Irish football cannot be overstated. Pat was one of many volunteers whose tireless dedication grew our game in Mayo. His standing was also immense with the FAI, with the League of Ireland and with UEFA and FIFA."

FAI CEO Jonathan Hill added: "The growth of the Irish game in recent years is a tribute in itself to the many football people like Pat Quigley whose passion for all football, from grassroots to senior international, has driven our sport on across the country.

"During his presidency, Ireland successfully qualified for the 2002 World Cup and Pat was also central to the introduction of Regional Development Officers which has made such an impact across Ireland.

"On behalf of the staff and everyone involved with the FAI, I want to extend our sympathies to the family and their many friends