Former FAI CEO and Ireland women’s team manager Fran Rooney has passed away.
Rooney was CEO of the Football Association of Ireland from 2003 to 2004.
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The Dubliner also had a stint in charge of the Republic of Ireland women’s national football team from 1986 to 1992.
His involvement in football extended beyond administration, as he played for clubs like Shamrock Rovers, Home Farm, and St Patrick’s Athletic.
After his time in the football world, Rooney was involved with various companies, including Blocknubie, a blockchain startup, where he served as chairman.
He also became a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Institute of Internal Auditors and Irish Computer Society.
67-year-old was the CEO of Baltimore Technologies, and transformed them into a global data security leader with a market capitalisation of €13.6 billion during his tenure until joining the FAI on an administration level in 2003.
He was the first CEO in the FAI’s history, replacing then General Secretary Brendan Menton.
Mr Rooney was one of the key recommendations of the post-Saipan Genesis report.
After his time with the tech company, Rooney was the subject of media interest both in Europe and the US.
He was the subject of an RTÉ documentary in the Raging Bulls series.
Rooney was also a practicing barrister and has held positions in other blockchain and technology firms.
In 2011 he represented former Monaghan United manager Roddy Collins in a legal dispute with the FAI before he reemerged in 2019 after the exit of John Delaney.
Mr Rooney passed away peacefully on May 20th surrounded by his loving family.