Oliver Byrne

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Oliver Byrne (d. August 26, 2007) was formerly the CEO of Irish soccer club Shelbourne FC. He died on the 26 August 2007 after a short illness. Always a controversial figure, he is generally remembered for being devoted to his favourite soccer club, Shelbourne FC.

[edit] History

When a young boy, his brother brought him to see Shelbourne at their former ground in Milltown. While studying for a degree in Law, he played for the UCD soccer team but his asthma ruled soccer out as a career choice. He left college to work in the music industry, promoting new acts, one of which was Thin Lizzy. However, he soon returned to football and became involved in the workings of Shelbourne FC, the club he supported since he was a boy. Eventually he became the CEO and oversaw the clubs most successful years, where, they won the league three years out of four and became the first Irish club to get through two rounds in a European competition, reaching the third round qualifier in the UEFA Champions League. They were beaten 3-0 on aggregate by Deportivo La Coruna. However, after a financial crisis which some say he was responsible for, the club defaulted on payments to players and was denied a licence to play in the League of Ireland Premier Division. The club was in the mid-table of the First Division when he died.