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Michael Hyland(Image: INPHO\/Tom Honan)<\/p>\nThe death of the former president of the Athletic Union League was announced on Tuesday.Michael Hyland(Image: INPHO\/Tom Honan)<\/p>\n
Tributes have been paid to the former FAI President Michael Hyland, whose death was announced on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Hyland not only served as vice president and president of the FAI<\/a>, but he was chairperson of the League of Ireland<\/a> and president of the Athletic Union League (AUL) during his long service to Irish football.<\/p>\n He also represented the FAI within UEFA and FIFA, serving on different committees.<\/p>\n The FAI released a statement that read: \u201cThe Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is saddened to learn of the death of former President Michael Hyland.<\/p>\n \u201cA former President of the Athletic Union League (AUL) in Dublin, Hyland was a prominent figure in junior football and led the construction of the AUL Sports Complex, which proved to be hugely influential to Irish football.<\/p>\n \u201cElected as FAI Vice President in 1990, he went on to serve as FAI President until 1994, while also serving as Chairman of the League of Ireland for a seven-year period.<\/p>\n \u201cHyland represented the Association within UEFA and FIFA – serving on different committees – and gave many years to the development of Irish football.\u201d<\/p>\n Current FAI President Paul Cooke said: \u201cOn behalf of the Football Association of Ireland, I’d like to pay respect to our former President Michael Hyland and extend our sympathies to his family and friends following his passing.<\/p>\n \u201cA dedicated football man, Michael’s contributions to Irish football helped to make a positive difference, particularly within the League of Ireland where he served as Chairman, and he will be fondly remembered as a result. Ar dheis D\u00e9 go raibh a anam d\u00edlis.\u201d<\/p>\n The AUL also marked the passing of their former president with a tribute to the man whose vision led to the development of the AUL Complex.<\/p>\n It read: \u201cAll in the Athletic Union League are saddened to hear of the passing of Michael Hyland, a true football legend. While Michael made a major contribution at national level, through his time on the FAI Council and as President it will be for his work with Junior Football that we will remember him for.<\/p>\n \u201cMichael was associated with the AUL for more than 40 years and as President of the League oversaw the phenomenal growth in participation levels in the late 1970s early 1980s. It was Michael\u2019s vision, to address the poor standard of pitches and lack of facilities, that created the AUL Complex.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was Michael\u2019s drive that, over a 10 year period, moved it from a concept to acquiring the land and developing the 13 pitches, clubhouse and other facilities. The Complex is and will continue to be a testament to Michael\u2019s contribution to Junior Football.<\/p>\n \u201cWe extend our sympathies to the extended Hyland family and to Michael\u2019s friends across football.\u201d<\/p>\n