The deceased was Pat Quigley of Anfield, Spencer Park, Castlebar.
He was in his late 70s and passed away early today at Bon Secours Hospital in Galway, surrounded by family and close friends.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife Eleanor in April last year, and is survived by his daughter Patricia and her partner Charlie, son Shane and his wife Jess, grandchildren Aaron, Joshua and Tara, as well as extended family and friends. It expresses the meaning of
A widely popular and respected figure in Irish sport, he served as president of the Irish Football Association from 1996 to 2001, before becoming a member of UEFA, during which time he traveled the world as an observer of Champions League matches. I traveled to
His appointment as FAI Director-General represented the culmination of more than 20 years of voluntary involvement in the sport at an administrative level.
A lifelong Liverpool FC supporter, Pat first became involved in football in 1971 as a board member of Road Rangers FC in Castlebar.
Road Rangers were formed in 1969 with players drawn from McHale Road, a street that nurtured many of the most talented players in the county’s football history.
Pat had a keen interest in the development of underage football and in 1973 donated a cup for the Mayo League Under-18 competition.
As fate would have it, the Road Rangers won the trophy for the first time in the 1973/74 season, defeating Westport Crusaders in the decider.
Rangers then merged with Castlebar Celtic and enjoyed provincial success in 1975 when Celtic won the Connaught Youth (Under 18) Cup, beating Galway Bohs 1-0 in the final. .
Pat became actively involved with Castlebar Celtic and spent many hours working with good friends Henry Downes and John Flannery to develop the club’s underage structure.
He became a prominent official of the Mayo Football League, serving two terms as its president, and was a figurehead of the Connaught Football Association for many years, being elected president of the state body for the first time in 1973.
He was first elected to the FAI Senior Council in 1973 and was at the top table of Irish football for over 40 years, while also serving as an observer for League of Ireland matches.
For many years, Pat was the point of contact for supporters for the purchase of tickets for Republic of Ireland international matches, a role he and his wife Eleanor fulfilled with great dedication.
Pat was also the first Mayo native to serve as President of the FAI Youth Council for two years.
He was a founding member of the Milebush Park Stadium Committee and was instrumental in hosting many international matches at the venue over the years.
Mr Ballyheen, son of the late Paddy and Nora Quigley, has been a lifelong contributor to the sport, most recently serving on the committee of the Mayo Schoolboys/Girls and Youth League and as manager at Mile Bush. He continued to hold his position. Park Stadium Committee.
He will also be remembered for supporting the club, along with his close friend Joe Butler, in attracting capital funding for major infrastructure developments for football grounds across County Mayo and Connacht.
His home club, Ballyheen Football Club, has named a new ground in his honour, Pat Quigley Park, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the sport over many years.
That was something he was very proud of.
Outside of football, he chaired the Castlebar Swimming Pool Committee when the old Humbert Way facility first opened in 1985, and was also chairman of Castlebar Tennis Club.
He also joined Croí and Castlebar Tidy Towns, which campaigned for more hospital facilities for heart patients in the west of Ireland.
In his professional life, Pat worked as a sales representative for Glaxo Pharmaceuticals for an extended period until his retirement, working directly with general practitioners throughout the Western and North West regions.
He was previously a sales representative at Thomson Cakes and previously worked at Clayton’s, Claremorris and Rattigan’s in Castle Street, Castlebar.
A devoted family man, the news of his death evoked a great sense of loss and sadness throughout the county, state and nation, for which he was popular and respected.
May his kind soul rest in peace.
The funeral schedule will be announced later.