Tributes paid to Galway native and former U-21 international

Tributes having being pouring in following the untimely death of Galway native and former Republic of Ireland U-21 international Eamonn Dolan at the age of 48 last week.

Dolan had previously represented the likes of West Ham United, Birmingham City and Exeter City and along with several Irish youth level teams, before his playing career was cut short in 1993 because of testicular cancer.

Following this, he began a 13-year stint with Exeter City, working in various roles within the club, starting as community officer right up to the first team manager position in 2003.

He then joined Reading FC as academy manager where his role saw him oversee the development of many top level young players. Irish internationals such as Shane Long and Kevin Doyle are amongst those to have come through the ranks of Dolan’s youth sides.

His twin brother Pat played for Galway United and was a former manager of St Patricks Athletic, before transitioning into media as a football pundit and writer.

FAI chief executive John Delaney said he has “great memories of meeting Eamonn many times at games during his time with Reading”.

“He was just a brilliant person and very engaging. He contributed greatly to the development of many talented Irish players and was very proud of being from Ireland.”

Reading FC Chief Executive, Nigel Howe, said that “Eamonn was a proud Galway man and his love of Irish football meant some great Irish players joining the Royals”.

Current Exeter City chairman, Julian Tagg, who worked alongside Dolan for years, spoke highly of his contribution to the youth programme in the club.

“Eamonn was loved and adored by every single person at our football club. He laid the foundations that have seen our club go from strength to strengthen.

“He was the driving force behind setting up our academy which was not only a benefit to the club but to the whole community of Exeter, which now sees 200 kids involved today. He was an inspiration, his drive was second-to-none and has left an incredible lasting legacy here at Exeter City FC and we are eternally grateful,” he said.

In the end, it was cancer that cut his life short and during his battle, tributes appeared with the Reading supporters having a minute’s applause following his tumour removal surgery last year. It was held on the 21st minute to mark the incredible success he had achieved with the Reading U-21 side, getting them promoted the previous season.

The Reading assistant academy manager, Lee Herron described Dolan as a “dear, dear friend.” Speaking about Dolan he said that “the work that he did at the club wasn’t really a job.  Day in, day out, we would spend more time there than anywhere else because he loved it.  We had serious fun with what we did”.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.