'Really special' Ollie Horgan now 'a star up there shining down' on the League of Ireland

On a special night for the League of Ireland, one man dominated everyone's thoughts

Galway United assistant manager Ollie Horgan, right, with manager John Caulfield in July. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

On a groundbreaking night for the League of Ireland, one man dominated everyone's thoughts. It was fitting that on the day of Ollie Horgan's passing, Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne sealed a historic night for the league, both qualifying for the Europa Conference group stage.

Next Sunday's meeting of Shels and Galway United, where Ollie was assistant manager until he stepped away due to illness earlier this month, has been postponed until next weekend as a mark of respect.

And after the scoreless draw in Tallaght that took Shamrock Rovers past Portugal's Santa Clara, Hoops manager Stephen Bradley remembered the league had lost "an incredible person". 

"Someone whose knowledge of the game was outstanding. He was mad on the touchline, I had many rows with him, but you knew that Ollie had done his work.

“I'd show up at games, Sunday league games up in Tallaght, and Ollie would be sitting there watching the game. I'd be thinking, ‘how's his wife allowed him to do this?’ He's incredible. He knew every player in the country. He knew every team inside out.

“His knowledge of football was a different class but he was a gent. He was respected by everyone up and down the country. He was a really, really special person. The word legend is thrown around far too often, but Ollie’s a true legend in this league.

“Yeah, we've lost someone really, really special.”

Bradley's counterpart at Shels, Joey O'Brien, revealed that Ollie had been in touch in the weeks leading up to Shels' tie with Linfield.

“It was a great night for Irish football with Shamrock Rovers and us qualifying but obviously because of a legend passing,” O’Brien said.

“It was a real fitting night in that way. I've had a few texts with Ollie over the last few weeks and he was such a great man. Please God his family are alright and maybe he’s smiling down on us tonight."

A Shelbourne playerswith black tape on his arm, as a mark of respect for the memory of the late Galway United assistant manager and former Finn Harps manager Ollie Horgan, before the UEFA Conference League Play-off Round second leg match between Linfield and Shelbourne at the Clearer Twist National Football Stadium, Windsor Park in Belfast. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Shels defender Paddy Barrett was struck by how Ollie's passing had tightened bonds between competitive rivals, used to battling each other within the small League of Ireland family. 

Speaking to Off The Ball, Barrett said: "It definitely shows the togetherness in this country, when an icon like Ollie passes away. It shows everybody's love for him.

"He wasn't a one-club man, he loved the League of Ireland. He put smiles on many people's faces and it's great to see every club coming together and sending their thoughts and prayers to his family.

"It goes to show you how tight-knit the league actually is. It's great to see two clubs in the league on the day of his passing, got through to the European group stages. There was a star up there shining down on both clubs tonight.

"So it's great to be a part of that. I know he was watching down, shouting us on. Good and bad words."

FAI President Paul Cooke confirmed a minute's silence will be observed for Ollie at all League of Ireland fixtures this weekend and the Women’s All-Island Cup Final.

“Ollie was one of the great characters in Irish football. He was a gentleman who brought energy to a room, knowledge to a conversation and passion to everything he was involved with. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time. He will be missed but never forgotten."

Cooke also noted that Ollie's influence on the game here spread far beyond the national league. 

"The Galway native was a hugely popular figure in Irish football who enjoyed great success as a coach with Fanad United, FAI Schools Ulster Boys' Team, FAI Schools Under-18's Boys' Team, Finn Harps and Galway United.

"Across several levels of the game, Ollie was someone who consistently strived to raise standards by encouraging and assisting others through his coaching, scouting and mentorship. He had a profound impact on the Schools game and in the League of Ireland."

That wider impact was noted by the Munster Senior League, which recalled Ollie's days leading the Ulster Senior League side. 

"The Management Committee of the MSL were saddened to hear of the passing of Ollie Horgan, ex Galway Utd and Finn Harps. Many of us have memories of Ollie as manager of the Ulster SL team at the Michael Ward tournaments. Condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace."

And MSL club Douglas Hall confirmed Ollie's genial touch had indeed been felt the breath of the land, from Donegal to Cork. 

"All at Douglas Hall AFC are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Ollie Horgan, a great football man who we met over the years when playing Fanad Utd in the FAI Intermediate Cup.

"He was always very competitive and a lovely man to chat with us all before and after the games."

St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny, where Ollie worked for many years as a maths and PE teacher, will open its doors on Friday from 2pm to 5pm to anyone wishing to remember Ollie. 

"Past and present students as well as members of the public are invited to call into the school.

"A mass remembering Ollie will take place ion the College Chapel at 2.30pm followed by tea and coffee and light refreshments in the college canteen/courtyard and study hall."