Des Casey, the former FAI President and UEFA Vice-President, has died aged 91.
He was a long serving and hugely influential administrator in Irish and European football circles.
And he was also synonymous with his hometown club Dundalk FC where he held various roles and was Honorary President until his passing.
Casey served on the FAI executive from 1972 and was President from 1984 until 1986, before becoming Honorary Secretary.
Jack Charlton was appointed Ireland manager during Casey’s time as the association’s President.
Casey then made history by becoming the first Irishman elected to UEFA’s all powerful Executive Committee in 1994.
He became a well-liked and powerful figure in European football and was elected UEFA Vice President in 2000.
He had been chairman of UEFA’s youth committee before that.
Casey, who then retired from his FAI and UEFA roles in 2002, was also an influential League of Ireland figure and was elected to the board of Dundalk in 1963.
His family provided the land for Oriel Park in 1936 and he later became Dundalk Secretary in 1968.
He was appointed as League of Ireland Treasurer in 1972, a post he held until joining UEFA in 1994.
Casey, who is survived by his wife and four children, passed away peacefully at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda yesterday.
The FAI said it was “deeply saddened to learn of the death of our former President, Honorary Secretary and UEFA Vice-President Des Casey.”
The FAI statement continued: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Casey family and all Des's many friends at Dundalk FC and across Ireland. May he rest in peace.
Dundalk FC said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of honorary club president and legendary FAI and UEFA administrator, Des Casey.
“The Casey family will always be synonymous with the club and we send our condolences to Des' family and friends. May he rest in peace.”
The PFA Ireland tweeted: “Sorry to hear of the passing of former FAI and Dundalk FC president Des Casey today.
“Des was one of the most decorated administrators in Irish football history. We extend our condolences to all his family and friends RIP Des.”
FAI President Gerry McAnaney said: “This is a sad day for our game with the passing of Des Casey, one of the great custodians of Irish football for so many years and a gentleman who treated everyone he met with so much respect throughout his life.
“What Des didn’t know about football wasn’t worth knowing. From Dundalk to the League of Ireland, from the FAI to UEFA, we were blessed with his insight and his love for football.
"Des was a visionary and an administrator beyond compare."
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