Athletic organisations have paid tribute to former coach Eamon Harvey, who has died, describing him as "of one of the true legends of Ulster and Irish athletics and education".
Athletics Ireland said the Donegal native, who served as Irish coach at Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as World Championships, was a hugely respected figure whose lifelong contribution to coaching ranged from grassroots to the global stage.
Eamon Harvey served as National Middle-Distance Coach in the 1990s and he was appointed Irish Olympic Coach for the 1996 Summer Olympics. He was also Irish team coach at the 1995 World Championships in Athletics where Sonia O'Sullivan won gold.
He served as Irish team coach at eight World Cross Country Championships, during which Catherina McKiernan won four individual silver medals.
Mr Harvey also served on the national coaching team at four Paralympic Games, guiding Irish athletes to multiple medals.
A native of Drimboarty, Letterbarrow, outside Donegal town, Mr Harvey also made a lasting contribution to athletics development in the northwest.
He was a founding member of St John Bosco (juvenile) and South Donegal Harriers (senior) athletics clubs, clubs that merged with other local clubs to form Tír Chonaill AC, one of the largest clubs in Ulster.
A stalwart of Tír Chonaill AC, he coached across all age groups and led the club to represent Ireland in European club competitions.
He coached numerous provincial and national winners, as well as having coached Donegal inter-county teams at senior, U-21 and minor teams.
A former physical education teacher, head of sport and deputy principal in the Abbey Vocational School, following retirement from teaching in 2004, he served as Regional Development Officer in the border region with Athletics Ireland.
Athletics Donegal said Mr Harvey’s impact was transformative in the northwest, adding that as Regional Development Officer, he strengthened athletics across the region.
"He built bridges between schools and clubs, mentored young coaches, supported administrators and was a steady, athlete-centred voice in governance at national level," Athletics Donegal said.
Ulster Schools Athletics said it was deeply saddened by news of the passing of "one of the true legends of Ulster and Irish athletics and education".
Tír Chonaill AC said its head coach and founding member had a gift for bringing out the best in athletes, believing in encouragement, community, and the power of sport to change lives.
Extending its condolences to Mr Harvey's family, the club said it will miss him dearly, especially around the track, but added, his spirit and memory will remain at the heart of the club.
Athletics Ireland said Eamon Harvey was a major contributor to both its High-Performance Committee and its Coaching & Development Committee, chairing the latter from 2014 to 2018, while also serving on the Athletics Ireland Board.
Last January, Mr Harvey became the 50th inductee into the Donegal Sports Star Hall of Fame honouring his contribution to Irish athletics at every level.
Four-time Irish Olympic coach and Finn Valley AC founder member Patsy McGonagle said Mr Harvey was a stalwart of the sport whose contribution to national athletics will reverberate.
In paying tribute to Mr Harvey, Mr McGonagle recalled his last meeting with Mr Harvey - at the National Cross Country Championships in Derry where Eamon’s grandson won bronze in the U12 race in November.
"I saw the great delight that Eamon took in watching that young boy," Mr McGonagle remembered.
"We shared a life together in Donegal athletics going back 50 years. He was a stalwart of the sport in Donegal and beyond.
"He coached so many athletes and introduced so many people to athletics. He lived for the sport and it was his life, day on day."
"He will be very sadly missed and his association with national athletics will reverberate too.
"It’s a sad, sad day for the sport of athletics in Donegal. He had great support from his family, many of whom were involved in the sport."
Mr McGonagle also shared many days with Mr Harvey at Finner Camp in Ballyshannon during their time in the Forsaí Cosanta Áitiúla.
"He was a rival of course and we enjoyed that battle too. Eamon was a rock of sense. May he rest in Peace," he concluded.
Mr Harvey will be laid to rest tomorrow in Donegal.
