Galway mourns long-serving official Egan

Galway GAA is mourning the death of one of their longest serving officials with the passing of Central Council delegate Pat Egan.

He played a key role in the development of his club Corofin into one of the most powerful in the country, but it was his work for Galway that he will be best remembered for.

Egan served as chairman of Galway football board for 18 years — having been vice-chairman for a decade prior to that — before stepping down in 2006.

During that time Galway captured nine All-Ireland titles, including the senior titles in 1998 and 2001, along with three U21 crowns, a minor title and three club championships which included his own Corofin in 1998.

He was also a prominent referee at club and inter-county level and took charge of several Connacht SFC matches. He was a Connacht Council delegate for 24 years and in more recent times served as the county’s Central Council delegate.

Egan, survived by his wife Nora, daughter Ann Marie and sons Ulick and Noel, also played a key role in the development of Galway’s centre of excellence at Loughgeorge.

Galway football manager Kevin Walsh, a key figure on the 1998 and 2001 All-Ireland winning teams when Egan was chairman, said that he had made a huge contribution to the GAA. “He was a gentleman to deal with all the time, he had great time for players and made sure everything was in place for teams. He made a magnificent contribution to Galway and is a big loss,” said Walsh.

Pat Egan will be reposing in St Colman’s Room, adjoining St Colman’s Church in Corofin today between 2 and 6pm and his funeral mass will take place tomorrowat 1pm, followed by burial in Kilmoylan cemetery.