Remembering former FAI president Tony Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald, who was 80, served at the FAI's helm from 2014 to 2018. In paying tribute, the current FAI president Gerry McAnaney said: “Tony was a true football man from the day he was born to the day of his death in his beloved Cork, Tony was a friend throughout his long life to all who cared about Irish football."

“A native of Ballyphehane, Tony served his sport as player, mentor and official for over 40 years,” McAnaney added. “As chair of the FAI Youth Committee, Tony was proud to be at the helm when Brian Kerr guided Ireland to the European Under-18 Championship title in Cyprus on that memorable day in 1998."

Total commitment and dedication

The success that Tony Fitzgerald enjoyed as an administrator did not go unnoticed, and in the summer of 2014, he was elected president of the FAI in succession to Paddy McCaul, a role that he served with total commitment and dedication for four years.

“To Tony’s family in Cork and further afield, to his many friends throughout Ireland and abroad,” McAnaney continued, “may I offer the deepest sympathies of all involved with the FAI and with our game wherever it is played. We have lost a great football man with Tony’s passing.”

Tony Fitzgerald’s memory will be honoured at next month’s European Qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and The Netherlands at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.