Fran Rooney

Fran Rooney (born 1956) is an Irish businessman and Barrister-at-Law,^[1] and former association football player and manager.

Football career

He played for Shamrock Rovers, Home Farm and St Patrick's Athletic and coached football and Gaelic Football teams. He continued to play football and became a football manager eventually managing the Republic of Ireland women's national football team from 1986 - 1992.^[2]

Law and business career

Rooney started his career in the Irish Government sector which he joined from school, with various roles in the Postal, Telecoms and Civil Aviation sectors. He spent 16 years there, educating himself part-time.^[3]

Desmond, Rooney and Michael Smurfit then acquired Baltimore Technologies, and Rooney served as CEO from 1996-2001.^[4] In 1998 Bill Clinton and Bertie Ahern signed an Electronic Commerce deal using Baltimore's technology. Under Rooney's leadership Baltimore underwent several successful mergers, became a member of the FTSE 100, and was also successfully listed on the NASDAQ. Baltimore Technologies was Company of the Year in 1998 and 2000. In 2000, Mr. Rooney was awarded Businessman of the Year and was presented with his award by the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese. He was Bank of Ireland Entrepreneur of the Year in 2001. In July 2001, Rooney quit Baltimore Technologies.^[5][6]

He was Chief Executive Officer of the Football Association of Ireland from May 2003 to November 2004.^[7]

References