The death has taken place of Eric Pembrey, a man who graced the Leinster rugby scene as player and official with considerable distinction since his schooldays in Blackrock College. He was 64.

An outstanding player with Blackrock, he was on the team that won the Leinster Schools' Senior Cup in 1953 and again, in the famous victory over Belvedere, in 1954. He was also capped for Leinster Schools.

After leaving school he joined the family firm, Greene's Bookshop in Clare Street, and was well known to generations of schoolboys and girls in his business capacity.

At club level, he rendered outstanding service to Blackrock College, both as player and official. He was on the Blackrock team that won the Leinster Senior Cup in 1957, the club's first cup success since 1939, and in 1961 he captained Blackrock to another victory in the cup.

He played for Leinster in the 1957 Interprovincial Championship and was on the Leinster side which played Australia in November 1957, a match lost by just two points, 10-8.

After retiring as a player, he proved to be an outstanding official for the club and that was recognised when he was made president in Blackrock College's centenary season, 1982-83. His organisational powers, innate courtesy and affable manner made him ideally suited to that onerous task. He was also president of the Leinster Association of Referees in 1986-87.

His death came after a long illness, during which he was sustained by the love and support of his wife, Rena, and family, to whom sincere sympathy is extended.