RIP Life Vice President Ronnie Long - Athletics Ireland (2024)

We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our Life Vice President Ronnie Long at the weekend.

Ronnie who was 88 years old, made a major contribution to our sport over a broad spectrum of roles during eight decades. In his youth he was active in Badminton and Cycling and he also had a great connection with Rugby during his lifetime. However, it was our sport of Athletics that benefitted the most from his outstanding organisational abilities and unending passion.

Based in Galway from the late fifties to the early seventies, Ronnie was involved in Connacht Athletics and served as secretary for several years. Shortly after his move back to Limerick in 1970, he was elected to the National Executive and served in several roles including two periods as PRO (1972 to 1975 & 1978 to 1982) in the era well before social media and Vice President in 1986. In April 1994 he was elected President at the Congress held in the Imperial Hotel in Cork. The following year he took up a staff position as Marketing Manager which he held for several years. During this time, many will have fond memories of him looking after the international gear and the organisation of many fund-raising activities. He also served as an Irish team selector for nearly three decades and was a well respected commentator at events.

Ronnie was a noted Irish Team Manager and among his many appointments were the 1974 European Championships in Rome, the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal and the inaugural World Indoor Championships in Indianapolis in 1987 proudly returning with two gold and one silver medal on that occasion. To witness Limerick’s Frank O’Mara’s gold medal winning performance in Indianapolis was an especially proud moment for Ronnie. Ronnie was always proud of his beloved Limerick AC who were a powerhouse in Track & Field, on cross country and the road over the years producing many Internationals and National Champions both individual and team.

1979 saw the hosting of the World Cross Country Championships in his hometown of Limerick. Ronnie was an integral part of the organising committee and despite many hurdles including a postal strike, they produced a magnificent event with the bonus of John Treacy retaining his world title, the senior men winning silver medals and the senior women and junior men giving great performances. The event proved to be a financial success with the profits from the event contributing to the purchase of a headquarters building in Dublin.

Ronnie was a super fan of the sport and even after retirement was ever present at events including Irish Schools finals and National Senior Championships and training sessions at the UL track in Limerick. A strong contributor to local radio and newspapers he would always gather the local results to ensure they were publicised.

He was honoured with a Life Vice Presidency of Athletics Ireland and an Athletics Ireland Lifetime achievement Award along with many other awards including one from the Federation of Irish Sport.

Ronnie had the ability to combine all his outstanding contributions to sport with a full professional career with Mattersons and a close involvement with the Limerick Show Society.

At the end of 2021, Ronnie published his autobiography “The Long Road” and launched it at a memorable night in Thom*ond Park with the “Who’s Who” of Irish Athletics paying a well-deserved and fitting tribute to him either in person or by video link. The book captures a record of not only his life but also a social history of the period.

Above all else, Ronnie was a family man with an unparalleled commitment to his late wife Bernie (nee McCabe), his children and grandchildren. Athletics Ireland extends its sympathy to Ronnies family, sons Alan and Barry, daughter Karen, daughters in law Ann and Sarah, son in law Peter, grandchildren Ben, Nathan, Rebecca, Joshua, Sydney, Quinten, Ella, Adam, Evan, Hugoand the large extended Long family and to Limerick AC and his untold number of friends and colleagues.

Ronnie loved all sport and especially athletics. He had strong principles and spoke his mind when he felt it was necessary. He gave of himself daily to make our sport a better one. He cared deeply for the athletes he worked with and for. He made an immense difference in so many realms and the legacy of his work will remain. He was loved by all who had the fortune to spend time with him over the years. His vast network of friends will miss him dearly and all will remember him fondly.

Ronnie lived a long life to full. To quote the concluding line of his book, he had ‘No, no regrets’.

Ronnie will be reposing at Thompson’s Funeral Home, Thomas Street Limerick on this Wednesday evening, October 4, from 5pm to 6.30pm. Funeral arriving at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Thursday, October 5, for Funeral Service at 12 noon followed by burial in Kilmurry Cemetery, Castletroy.

Ronnie, Rest in Peace.