Eamonn Dolan, the Reading academy youth coach and former Ireland U21 international who died last month, is to have a Stand renamed after him at the Madejski Stadium.
Dolan, a brother of former St. Pat's and Cork City manager Pat Dolan, is credited with developing a number of players including Shane Long, Kevin Doyle, Gylfi Sigurdsson, and Hal Robson-Kanu.
One of the clubs owners Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth said today that 'the Eamonn Dolan Stand will be our way of remembering a great man.'
Dolan was held in huge esteem at Reading and in Ireland. In addition to being an U21 international, he helped bring through a raft of Irish players at Reading in the mid-noughties.
John Delaney paid tribute to a man who had a huge impact on Irish football.
Eamonn Dolan was a real gentleman and fought a courageous battle against cancer in recent years. It is such sad news to hear of his passing.
I have great memories of meeting Eamonn many times at games during his time with Reading. He was just a brilliant person and very engaging. He contributed greatly to the development of many talented Irish players and was very proud of being from Ireland.
The sympathies of all in Irish football go to Eamonn’s family, his brother Patrick in particular, and his many friends in the game who will be very upset at his untimely death.
We will rightly pay tribute to Eamonn at our next home international game. May he rest in peace.
