FAI: Irish football mourns former FAI President and Honorary Life Vice-President Pat

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The Football Association of Ireland is deeply saddened to learn of the death on Sunday evening of former President and Honorary Life Vice-President Pat Quigley.
President of the Association from 1996 to 2001, Pat Quigley was the doyen of football in the West of Ireland. He was the first Mayo man to be elected President of the FAI Youth Council and boasted a glittering football CV in the services of Road Rangers, Castlebar Celtic, the Mayo Football League, the Mayo Schoolboys and Schoolgirls League and the Mayo Youth League.
During his time with the Mayo League, Pat was one of those instrumental in the introduction of club licensing and summer football, both firsts for Irish grassroots football.
First elected onto the then FAI Council in 1973, where he sat for over 40 years, Pat also served as chair of the Connacht Football Association for many years and was a well-respected Match Delegate with the League of Ireland. Pat was also a highly regarded chair of the UEFA Youth and Amateur Football Committee and a UEFA Match Delegate * *
Paying tribute to Pat Quigley, FAI President Paul Cooke said: “Irish football has lost a great man with Pat’s passing. 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.
“Pat was hugely committed to football and the only thing he was more devoted to was his family. The passing of his beloved wife Eleanor was a cruel blow in 2023 and, on behalf of the Board and Irish football, I extend our deepest sympathies now to his daughter Patricia, son Shane and all the Quigley family and their many friends as well as the Mayo and Connacht football community on this sad loss. May he rest in peace.”
Paying his respects, FAI Chief Executive Jonathan Hill said: “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. Pat was also a League of Ireland match delegate for many years and was a welcome visitor at every ground in 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 on such a sad day for them and for Irish football.”



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