FORMER FAI PRESIDENT Michael ‘Milo’ Corcoran has passed away following a recent illness.
Corcoran served as FAI President from 2001 to 2005, which took in Ireland’s appearance at the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea in 2002.
Corcoran also served five years as vice-president of the association.
“In Milo Corcoran, we have lost one of Irish football’s true gentlemen. It is with great sadness that I learned of his passing on Monday evening and my thoughts are with his family,” said Tony Fitzgerald, FAI president.
“Milo was someone who made a huge impact on so many levels to improve football in this country and his contribution is simply invaluable.
“From grassroots, right up to being FAI president, he made a difference wherever he was and that will be his legacy.
“He will be missed by anyone who knew him and Irish football will certainly be a little poorer without him around. May he rest in peace.”
FAI CEO John Delaney paid tribute to Corcoran, saying that he made “an immeasurable contribution to the game” and had a huge impact on Irish football for many years.
He said: “Milo was a great personal friend of mine, someone who I had the pleasure of knowing for more than 30 years, and someone who I was extremely close to.
“He made an immeasurable contribution to the game and he is someone whose loss will be felt deeply in the world of football.
“The FAI will pay a number of tributes to Milo in the coming days and weeks, and we will miss him greatly. I want to pass on my deepest sympathies to his family and many friends in the game.”
Born in Dublin to Kilkenny parents, Milo grew up in County Waterford and quickly became a key figure in a local supporters club which sparked his passion to make a difference in shaping the future of the beautiful game.
He was part of the current FAI board and chairman of the FAI International Committee, where he remained committed to raising the standards of football development throughout the country.
Considered to be the main driving force behind the creation of the Setanta Sports Cup — a cross-border competition between League of Ireland and Irish League clubs which was last played in 2014 — he served as the tournament’s chairman from its inception in 2005.
A strong supporter of domestic football, Corcoran was a regular at his beloved Waterford United, where he served a variety of roles including club chairman, and was the club’s representative on the League Committee in the 1980s and 1990s.
Milo passed away following illness and is survived by his beloved wife Marie, sons Alan and Evan.
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