LOUIS KILCOYNE (IRL) – A GOOD FRIEND HAS LEFT US

03 April 2012

Dublin, 3rd April - the Executive Board of the Olympic Council of Ireland announced with deep regret the passing of Louis Kilcoyne after a short illness. Vice President of the Irish NOC from 1996 to 2005, he became a good friend of the EOC family, attending regularly the assemblies where he was greatly appreciated for being a smart and good mood gentleman.

Louis joined the Olympic Council as the representative for the sport of football in May 1989. In a distinguished career in that sport, he had served as a delegate to the Football Association of Ireland and eventually as President of the Association. His international football contacts were peerless and his contributions to the sport in Ireland were legendary.

Louis' great drive and passion for all sports became evident when he joined the Olympic Council as First Vice President in 1996. In a remarkable Olympic administrative career his outstanding talent helped to take the Council to a high level in the areas of marketing and sponsorship, a role in which his personal charm, knowledge and dedication were supreme.

In recent years he represented the Olympic Council of Ireland on the European Non Governmental Sports Organisation (ENGSO) as an Executive Committee member.

Patrick Hickey, both OCI and EOC President, commented: "Louis was a thorough gentleman, a great friend and a brilliant ambassador for Olympic sport at home and abroad. I wish to convey our deepest sympathy to his wife Theresa, Jane, Giles and all his family. He will be sadly missed by us all".

May he rest in peace.