Ollie Horgan was remembered as "mentally tough" and "unapologetically himself" at his funeral mass in Galway this afternoon.
President Michael D Higgins and players, management and representatives of the football community from around the country were among the mourners at Christ the King Church in Salthill.
It included Galway United's first-team playing squad and manager John Caulfield, to whom Horgan worked with as assistant manager before his illness.
Horgan died last week having stepped back from his role with Galway only weeks earlier following his cancer diagnosis.
He is survived by wife Anita and children Emma, Anthony, Brendan, Conor and David.
Brendan Horgan said his father was not afraid to fight for what was right and quietly helped countless people in football, as well as in his job a teacher and elsewhere, all without seeking any acknowledgement.
He thanked staff at the University of Galway hospital for their care in the last number of weeks.
An accomplished pianist, he said the music of Clifford T Ward and Gilbert O’Sullivan was often played by his father whenever a party reached a lull.
A service was also held at St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny last Friday, where Horgan worked for three decades. He was described as a wonderful colleague and a mentor and inspiration for pupils, particularly through sport.
Father Ciaran Harkin said Ollie Horgan had a "naturally humility" and was "highly intelligent, kind, compassionate and had a gift of reading people".
He said he gave so much of his time and talent to sport, creating a positive impact for players, supporters and anyone he came across.
With his wife Anita and five children, he said he created a strong family unit.
Father Harkin said Horgan loved life and the daily interactions with students and footballers, as well as friends of which he had so many.
He said privately Ollie Horgan took great satisfaction in the many victories he accomplished with Fanad United, Finn Harps and Galway United as a manager and coach, often against the odds.
Galway manager John Caulfield was the final speaker, saying Ollie Horgan was the most intelligent person he had ever met and it was a privilege to have known and worked with him.
He said he sat beside him while they studied for their UEFA 'A' Licence in coaching and those moments were the greatest education he had ever had.
He said his passion and strength was phenomenal.
