In memory of their late friend and clubmate, Detective Colm Horkan, who was shot dead while on duty in Castlerea earlier this year, Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club are launching plans to develop a new all-weather pitch at Fr. O’Hara Park, to be named ‘The Colm Horkan Memorial Pitch’.
The development, which will include new community walkways and facility upgrades, will provide the club with a new state-of-the-art, fully floodlit all-weather playing pitch, providing fantastic new facilities for his beloved club and the wider community to enjoy for years to come.
The project, which will take three years to complete, will require significant funding, and the club will be applying through various Sports Capital Programmes and other national and regional funding streams as well as seeking support from the local community and wider diaspora to complete the project.
A statement from the club read: ‘As a club and community we are still struggling to comprehend the shocking events of Wednesday, June 17th, when Colm was cut down in the prime of his life while doing the job he loved in the best way he knew how. He touched the lives of many in the communities of Charlestown and beyond, with dignity and regalness characterising his every action and deed. He loved his town, a place where many great friendships and bonds were moulded.
‘Colm, who would have celebrated his 50th birthday on Sunday, December 13th, loved his football and served Charlestown Sarsfields with distinction over the course of a long, stellar and star-studded career. He donned the green and white jersey with honour and excellence and took centre stage in many of our finest successes in a career that saw him reach some marvellous heights. He played with courage, intelligence and intensity and brought tremendous passion to the fields of play, with O’Hara Park his domain and the scene of many of his greatest performances.
‘He inspired his team and led from the front at all times. His quality and sheer class will forever remain intact and his kindness, modesty and heroism will stay etched in our memories and consciousness for many a long day’.
Commenting on the launch of the project, Liam Breheny, Chairperson of Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club, said: “As a club, we have been touched by the hundreds of messages and support received since the tragic passing of our clubmate and friend. The goodwill being shown and the offers of support from people, both locally and nationally – as well as from the diaspora around the world – for this project has been heart-warming, and the development of the new pitch and community walkways in his honour will be a fitting legacy for the great man, as well as creating a facility for the community to enjoy for generations to come – something I know he would be immensely proud of”.
The club have launched a new website to support this project, so for more information on how you can donate to the project, please visit colmhorkanmemorialpitch.com.
