The death has occurred of the FAI’s senior coach educator and manager of the Irish Universities men’s team Noel O’Reilly, aged 60
Leading the tributes to Noel O’Reilly, the President of the Football Association of Ireland, David Blood, said:
‘Noel O’Reilly made a huge contribution to football at all levels, and in many different ways, during his life and will be sorely missed. He was involved in a hugely successful era for Irish under-age teams which produced many of the current members of the senior international squad.
‘On behalf of the FAI, I would like to extend our sympathies to his partner Rose, brothers Shay and Kieran, sisters Monica and Deirdre, his extended family and many friends on what is a very sad loss.’
FAI Chief Executive John Delaney said: ‘The news of Noel O’Reilly’s death has come as a huge shock to everybody, especially his colleagues in the FAI.
‘He was a man who was passionate about his work and those players and coaches who came into contact with him benefited from his football knowledge and experience.
‘He was more than a great coach; he was also a magnificent ambassador for Ireland and Irish football as his trips on behalf of the FAI to countries like Japan, South Africa and Kenya proved.
‘He gave a lot to the FAI and Irish football and still had a considerable amount more to offer so his sudden departure will leave a huge void within the game,’ Delaney added.
FAI Technical Director Packie Bonner said: ‘Noel was a great character and an important member of the Technical Department. He was a father figure for many of the staff, a sounding board for advice and support. His forte was coaching, both on and off the pitch, and the impact he had on coaches and players will be felt for many years to come.’
Bonner stated: ‘He was a man that enjoyed the simple things in life and he had that unique ability to connect with all types of people with his humour, his straight talking and his ability to produce the odd song on his guitar.
‘At the weekend he was in Galway passing on his knowledge to coaches on a UEFA A Licence course so the suddenness of his passing has come as a great shock to everybody. He will be sorely missed.’
O’Reilly had a distinguished coaching career at club and international level and earlier this year he became one of a select group of Irish coaches to receive a UEFA Pro-Licence.
At club level he was best known for his involvement with Dublin schoolboy club Belvedere and eircom League of Ireland sides Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic.
At international level he was the current manager of the Ireland’s World Universities Men’s team, which attracts players from both sides of the border.
He previously managed the Republic of Ireland U18 squad and was also coach to various other international under-age teams over the years as well as being a member of Brian Kerr’s senior management team from 2003 to 2005.
He was coach to the Ireland squads which won the 1998 European U16 and U18 Championships and also the team which finished third at the World U20 Cup in 1997.
He joined the FAI full-time in 1999 as a Development Officer and played a major role in coach education during his time with the association. He was promoted to the post of senior coach educator only last April.
