DEATH OF BRENDAN McKENNA: Brendan McKenna, the former football correspondent of the Evening Press who subsequently served as press officer for the Football Association of Ireland, passed away yesterday after a long battle with illness. He was 67.

A warmly regarded figure within the game, Brendan worked for nearly four decades for the Press Group, where his father, Paddy, had been the football correspondent with the Irish Press in the 1940s and early 1950s.

When the group closed in 1995, Brendan went to work in Merrion Square, and following his retirement from the association he continued to write about football for a number of national newspapers.

Extending his sympathies to Brendan's family last night, FAI chief executive John Delaney paid tribute to "a dedicated journalist and sports enthusiast who lived for sport.

"The family of football," said Delaney, "will miss his sense of humour and his humility.

"On behalf of the association we extend our sympathies to Brendan's children and family."