Galway United assistant manager Ollie Horgan passes away after a long battle with illness
The sporting world in Galway, and indeed the wider community locally and further afield, was rocked yesterday afternoon when the news filtered through that Ollie Horgan had died after a long and brave battle with illness. He was just 57 years old.
The Salthill native was one of the best-known – and most loved – people in football on this island, largely through his involvement with the League of Ireland, firstly with Finn Harps, and most recently, with Galway United, where he played a major role in the club winning the First Division title just two seasons ago, the club’s first piece of silverware in 26 years.
It is understood he had been ill for some time, but he put that to one side to continue in his role as assistant manager at Galway United this season. The club officially confirmed his departure in a statement back on Saturday August 9, though he had been absent from the United sideline for a number of games prior to that announcement.
He was a secondary school teacher by profession and taught at St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny, and was awarded the 2021 ASTI Achievement Award in recognition of his contribution to his school community and to sporting in Ireland.
Living in Donegal, he played club football with Fanad United before taking over as manager of the side, guiding them to three Ulster Senior League titles as well as the Ulster Senior Cup. He also led the club into the U-19 national league, and then the senior side that entered the third-tier national A Championship in 2011.
He was appointed as manager of Finn Harps in late 2013 and spent nine years at the helm of the Donegal side, guiding them to promotions from the First Division in both 2015 and 2018, before coming on board at United as assistant manager to John Caulfield ahead of the 2023 season.
It proved to be a masterstroke by the club, with Horgan credited with playing a major part in that title-winning season, which was followed last year by a 5th-place finish in what was the club’s first Premier Division campaign in seven seasons.
He also served as both a manager and a coach of the Republic of Ireland senior schoolboys’ side for a number of years.
The news came yesterday as United were preparing for Sunday’s trip to Tolka Park to take on Shelbourne (5pm), a game that will now take on a more poignant hue.
United go into the game looking for a first win in nine league games as they bid to avoid the relegation play-off spot, which they have been slipping towards in the past couple of months.
Sunday’s game was moved because of Shelbourne’s ongoing involvement in European football – they took a 3-1 lead to Belfast last night to take on Linfield in their Europa Conference League play-off.
Somewhat bizarrely given their troubles this season, United are unbeaten against Shels – the only side they can say that about – with all three league meetings so far this season finishing in a draw.
Shels took the lead in all three games – and twice in the other Tolka Park meeting between the sides back in April – but on each occasion, United dug deep to equalise.
That is the kind of spirit that the Tribesmen need to tap into for the remaining eight games of the season to steer clear of that play-off spot for: they would be strong favourites to see off whatever First Division side comes through the qualifying process from the bottom league, but anything can happen in a one-off game of football.
A win would be huge on Sunday, but even a point would be welcome in the season-saving battle that lies ahead, though yesterday’s sad news will have reminded everyone that there are far more important things in life.
The bed of heaven to you Ollie, and rest well.
Funeral arrangements had not been confirmed yesterday at the time of going to press.
Pictured: Ollie Horgan and John Caulfield during the title-winning 2023 season.