Shock and sadness at passing of Munster Rugby's Greig Oliver following accident

THERE is widespread shock and sadness with news that Greig Oliver, the Limerick-based Munster Rugby Elite Performance Officer, has passed away following an accident in South Africa on Monday.

Aged just 58, Greig Oliver passed away this afternoon following a tragic paragliding accident in Cape Town. He was in South Africa with his wife Fiona in support of their son Jack and the Ireland U20s squad who are playing in the World Rugby U20 Championship.

A former international scrum-half, Greig Oliver played in two Rugby World Cups for Scotland.

Following retirement, he held academy management and coaching roles with Scottish Borders and Edinburgh before moving to Limerick with his family in 2007.

In 2011, the hugely popular Greig Oliver assumed the role of Elite Player Development Officer with the Munster Rugby Academy, playing an instrumental role in developing Munster players for life in professional rugby.  He also held coaching roles with the Ireland U20s, the Munster ‘A’s, and the province’s age-grade sides.

Prior to his EPDO role, he worked with Garryowen FC where he held the role of Director of Rugby.

A proud Scotsman, Greig worked tirelessly on skill development and found great joy and pride in seeing players fulfil their potential. He was highly regarded across the rugby landscape in the province and Irish Rugby and would have worked closely with schools and clubs in developing the next generation of players.

A devoted family man he was hugely proud of his children’s sporting achievements as Jack followed in his footsteps by pursuing a career in rugby while daughter Ciara excelled at Gaelic football.

Munster Rugby CEO, Ian Flanagan, said: “On behalf of Munster Rugby, I would like to express our deepest sympathies to Greig’s wife Fiona, son Jack, daughter Ciara, and the wider Oliver family.

“We are all in a state of shock following Greig’s tragic passing.  He was a great colleague and friend to so many and will be dearly missed across the Munster and Irish Rugby community.

“Greig made his presence felt each day, he was always there to provide a helping hand and was a hugely popular character with his light-hearted nature and sense of humour.

“He had an infectious enthusiasm for the game and was incredibly passionate about helping young players be the best they can be on and off the field.

“May he rest in peace.”

Garryowen FC also paid a warm tribute to the club's former technical director and expressed their sympathy to the family of the late Greig Oliver. In a statement the club said it was 'deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of our dear friend and club mate Greig Oliver'.

A section of a post on Garryowen FCs social media channels read: "Following in the footsteps of his father-in-law, Seanie McNamara, Greig took up the position of technical director at Dooradoyle in 2007-08. Greig remained a Garryowen man through and through and made lifelong friendships in Dooradoyle.

"A brilliant rugby coach and mentor to so many young players both in Garryowen FC and Munster Rugby as well as Irish underage teams to whom he unselfishly devoted his time. Greig’s commitment to rugby was secondary only to his wife Fiona and children. He was immensely proud of Jack and Ciara, both on and off the pitch.

"He will be greatly missed by all of us lucky enough to have known him and call him one of our own. A true Blue! 

Commenting on the news of Greig Oliver's passing, IRFU Chief Executive Kevin Potts said; “On behalf of the Irish rugby community, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the Oliver family at this extremely sad time.

“Greig was a hugely popular member of staff and played a key role in the development of many young players during his time at Munster Rugby.

“Today’s news is an unspeakable tragedy and our thoughts are with Greig’s wife Fiona, children Jack and Ciara, and his many friends, family and colleagues. May he rest in peace.”

Munster Rugby and the IRFU are liaising directly with Greig’s family, providing them with any assistance and support required at this time.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.