Ollie Horgan: Irish Football’s True Pillar
Here’s a summary of the key details from the provided text about Ollie Horgan:
Who he was: Ollie Horgan was a highly respected and popular figure in the League of Ireland, known as a manager, coach, teacher, and dedicated supporter of all levels of football.
football Career:
He managed Finn Harps for nearly a decade (starting in 2013), achieving promotions, battling relegation, and creating memorable moments for the club. He was beloved by Harps supporters.
More recently, he was assistant manager to John Caulfield at Galway United, contributing to their recent success (he recently stepped down due to health challenges).
He also managed the Republic of Ireland schoolboy team.
Teaching career: He was a Maths and PE teacher at St. Eunan’s College in Letterkenny for over 30 years.
Personal Life: He was married to Anita and had five children: Emma, Anthony, Brendan, Conor, and David. He is also survived by his sister Mary and brother Gerard.He was predeceased by his mother Bernie, father Joe and brother Martin.
Other Interests: He was an accomplished pianist, enjoying classical composers like Bach and Beethoven.
Character: He was known for his passion, integrity, dedication, willingness to speak his mind, and for having time for everyone involved in the game. He was considered a friend by many in the football community.
Tributes: He received tributes from President Michael D. Higgins, Galway United, and Finn Harps, all highlighting his notable contributions to Irish football and his positive character.