Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club launching new memorial pitch and community walkways
Development project in memory of the late Colm Horkan
In memory of their late friend and clubmate, Colm Horkan, Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club are today launching the club's 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, all weather, fully floodlit, 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 for funding through the 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.
As a club and community they are still struggling to comprehend the shocking events of Wednesday, June 17, 2020, when Colm was cut down in the prime of his life, 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 and this was the place where many great friendships and bonds were moulded.
Colm, who would have celebrated his 50th birthday on Sunday, 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 Fr. O’Hara 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 as he inspired his team and led from the front at all times.
His quality and sheer class will forever remain intact as 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, chairman, 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, nationally and from the diaspora around the world for this project has been heartwarming and the development of the new pitch and community walkways in his honour will be a fitting legacy for the great man and 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 and for more information on how you can donate to the project please visit https://www.colmhorkanmemorialpitch.com