Galway United assistant manager Ollie Horgan has died at the age of 57.
Horgan had worked within the League of Ireland since 2013, best known for his nine-year spell with Finn Harps as he twice took the club to the Premier Division and maintained their top-flight status against the odds.
He was appointed assistant to John Caulfield in 2022 as the Tribesmen went on to become First Division champions and established themselves as a Premier Division side.
Despite his cancer diagnosis, Horgan maintained his work with United until early July when he eventually stepped back.
In a statement, the Tribesmen paid tribute to their number two: "It is with immense sadness that Galway United share the news of the passing of Ollie Horgan.
"A legend of the game across Ireland, Ollie joined the Galway United family ahead of the 2023 season and has been instrumental in the club's success ever since.
"On behalf of everyone at Galway United, we would like to offer our deepest condolences to Anita, Ollie’s loving wife, his children Emma, Anthony, Brendan, Conor, David, his sister Mary, his brother Gerard and his extended family and friends. Ollie was predeceased by his mother Bernie, father Joe and brother Martin."
President Michael D Higgins, a supporter of United, also spoke of his "great sadness" over Horgan's death and offered condolences to his family.
He said: "Ollie was one of the most respected and popular people in the League of Ireland. He will be warmly remembered for his wonderful management and intense passion for the game.
"He will be deeply missed by the whole League of Ireland community."
Finn Harps described Horgan as "a man of great integrity and resolve" in a statement that read: "Everyone associated with Finn Harps is deeply saddened by the passing of former manager Ollie Horgan.
"Ollie arrived at Finn Park in 2013 and over the course of nearly a decade left an indelible mark on the club's history. During his tenure he guided Harps to an FAI Cup semi-final, two promotions and secured the club’s best league finish in twenty years in 2020.
"His relentless determination, work ethic and passion saw the club defy the odds to compete in the Premier Division in six of Ollie’s nine years at the helm, resulting in many magic nights at Finn Park and across the country.
"A man of great integrity and resolve, Ollie’s contribution to Finn Harps and Irish football will never be forgotten.
"The thoughts of everyone at Finn Harps FC are with Ollie’s family and friends at this very difficult time.
"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."
During his time within Irish football, Horgan became renowned for his work ethic and recruitment when working with limited resources, particularly in Ballybofey.
He managed the Republic of Ireland national schoolboy football team and also worked in the Ulster Senior League with Fanad United, as well as school teams, having been a maths teacher by trade.
An accomplished pianist, he enjoyed the works of Bach and Beethoven.
It was the tenure at Harps which brought Horgan to a wider audience, taking the club to the Premier Division despite serious limitations in terms of budget.
BJ Banda's goal in the 2015 play-offs to beat Limerick was heralded as one of the greatest nights in the club’s history.
Harps stayed up for one season before relegation during the campaign in which three teams were demoted.
They secured immediate promotion through the play-offs and went on to win another play-off as Horgan worked miracles to keep the side in the division.
After eventually dropping to the First Division at the end of 2022, Horgan parted ways with Harps and his appointment to work under Caulfield came as a considerable shock.
United had been struggling to get over the line in terms of promotion but the addition of the Salthill man to their backroom team proved a shrewd move.
The Tribesmen added this evening: "The family of Ollie Horgan would like to thank all the people who helped Ollie during his short illness and all who sent him and the family good wishes. Funeral arrangements will follow. Our thoughts & prayers are with the Horgan family at this time."
