The late Ollie Horgan 'always noticed the togetherness of the Donegal people'

Tributes have been paid to the late Ollie Horgan, who has passed away in Galway.

A native of Salthill, Ollie, who was 57, worked at St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny since 1989 as a maths, science, technical drawing and PE teacher.

The St Eunan’s College chapel tomorrow, Friday, will have Mass at 2:30pm and tea and coffee afterwards in memory of Ollie, who is survived by his wife Anita and children Emma, Anthony, Brendan, Conor and David. The school will be open from 2pm to 5pm for past and present students, staff and the public.

It was at the school, and with Fanad United FC as player and manager and Finn Harps FC, where he was at the helm for nine years, that Ollie was best known. He took charge of the Irish Schoolboys on the international stage and was assistant manager with Galway United - the club he supported as a boy - from 2023 until last month, having helped the Connacht side back to the Premier Division of the SSE Airtricity League with manager John Caulfield.

In his latter stages as manager of Finn Harps, where his tenure lasted from late 2013 until 2022, Ollie frequently commuted from Galway, where he cared for his elderly parents.

His mother, Bernadette, formerly of Thomand Gate, Limerick, passed away in August 2022, followed by his father Joe just seven months later in March 2023. In January 2024, Ollie’s brother Martin, who also loved football from his time at St Mary’s College in Galway and Maree Oranmore FC, died suddenly.

“It is with great sadness that I have learnt of the death of Ollie Horgan," Uachtarán na hÉireann, Michael D Higgins, said.

"Ollie was one of the most respected and popular people in the League of Ireland. He will be warmly remembered for his wonderful management and intense passion for the game, in particular during his near decade-long spell as manager of Finn Harps.

"More recently Ollie has played a key role, working as assistant to John Caulfield, in the successful recent seasons of Galway United, only leaving his role in recent weeks due to the health challenges he was facing. He will be deeply missed by the whole League of Ireland community. May I express my deepest sympathy and condolences to Ollie’s wife Anita, his children Emma, Anthony, Brendan, Conor and David, to all of his family who have made such an extraordinary contribution to the game, and to all of his players, colleagues, friends and fans throughout the country.”

"The word 'legend' often gets mentioned in the football world, but it is no exaggeration to say that Ollie was a legend of both football in Donegal and the League of Ireland," Fanad United FC, who Ollie signed for the year he moved to Donegal, posted.

"We were only too glad to watch the success of his Harps teams over the years, along with his antics off the pitch (including legendary interviews), which will be talked about in the League of Ireland for many a day.

"Ollie’s move to Harps didn’t stop his involvement with the club and he was only too happy to attend any function, fundraiser or any other occasion where he felt he might be needed to help out. He was front and centre at our recent 50th celebration at the start of the year and as always, he always had time for friends and colleagues and his availability and generosity will always be remembered by the club.  

"The footballing world is a sadder place today. We will deeply miss Ollie’s presence in the Kingdom - great football man, an even better human being."

Finn Harps FC posted: "Ollie arrived at Finn Park in 2013 and over the course of nearly a decade left an indelible mark on the club’s history. During his tenure he guided Harps to an FAI Cup Semi-final, two promotions and secured the club’s best league finish in twenty years in 2020.

"His relentless determination, work ethic and passion saw the club defy the odds to compete in the Premier Division in six of Ollie’s nine years at the helm, resulting in many magic nights at Finn Park and across the country. A man of great integrity and resolve, Ollie’s contribution to Finn Harps and Irish football will never be forgotten. "

During his time as Finn Harps manager, Ollie Horgan often found himself filling roles far beyond the job description - some confirmed, others drifting into club folklore. He took his work seriously, yet could always share a smile too.

One tale tells of him flying to Canada on a one-day return trip just to persuade a player to sign. Not long after taking the reins, he was said to have bought the entire first-team squad socks ahead of training.

As recently as his last season, in 2022, Ollie was apparently spotted mowing the Finn Park pitch before a Premier Division fixture. His commitment extended across the Irish Sea too; he spent so much time scouting and meeting players in the UK that, legend has it, he eventually abandoned a Galway-registered van near Stanstead.

What is beyond dispute is that Harps - like Fanad United and the teams and the classrooms at St Eunan’s College - were fortunate to have someone so genuine and dedicated. Those qualities were mirrored in the students he saw sit exams and the teams he sent out onto the pitch.

Whatever about the hearsay, Horgan's Harps were a team that Donegal turned out to see, undeterred by their role of underdog more often than not, committed to the last kick and willing to shake hands and usually share a joke afterwards. 

An accomplished pianist who enjoyed the works of Bach and Beethoven, there was a side to Ollie of more than football boots and the tracksuits. Although a proud Galway man, Ollie was never shy to admit he always had a grá for Donegal and its people.

Whilst at University College Galway, he had the chance one summer to travel to New York with Connemara Gaels before taking up his post at St Eunan’s. Although he admits he didn’t know the Donegal lads by name around Yonkers Avenue or Gaelic Park, there was something in them. Whether it be sorting accommodation for one another, sourcing jobs or backing one another up if things got rough on or off the field, there was a bond.

“I’ve said a few times before when I was young, when I wasn't as mature, I always noticed the togetherness of the Donegal people, especially when I was in New York,” Ollie said in a 2023 interview.

“There’s something about them. When I got the chance to work here, I came up, and that spirit kept me involved in sport. I was 25 years with Fanad as a player and a manager and nine years in charge of Finn Harps, so Donegal is a place that holds dear for me.”

When he returned to Finn Park in 2023, now in the Galway United jacket, he made a beeline to hug club steward Tommy Dullaghan and sympathise with him on the loss of his colleague at the gate to enter to pitch, the late Ronan Roddy. 

St Eunan's College posted: "Ollie will be remembered as a wonderful colleague, whose laughter and good humour were a constant in our staffroom. He was an all-around professional, a true friend and a source of unwavering support to all of us. This same spirit of encouragement was clear in his passion for sport. As a gifted soccer coach, he was a mentor and inspiration to countless students over the years.

"He was a man of great warmth and character, but his greatest pride and joy was his family. He was, above all, a loving family man, and his passing is a devastating loss. Our most heartfelt sympathies are with Ollie's family at this unimaginably difficult time."

Even in his last days in Galway, Ollie spoke of Donegal and the local sporting community in the county has shown that togetherness and they remember him.

“Ollie was a great character and a great football man,” Kilmacrennan Celtic FC posted. “He also would have taught alot of our recent and past players in St Eunan's College. We offer our condolences to his family.”

St Eunan's GAA club said: "Ollie was a deeply respected and much-loved figure in Letterkenny and beyond – through his dedicated work in St Eunan’s College, his years managing local teams, and the many other roles he fulfilled within our community."

A host of League of Ireland clubs have also paid tribute.

Dundalk FC will have a book of condolences at Oriel Park on Friday night at their club shop for those who wish to pay their respects.

“A true pillar of the League of Ireland football community,” they said. “His contributions and achievements have left a lasting legacy, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”

Sligo Rovers FC posted: “Ollie was a respected figure in the League of Ireland, whose passion, dedication, and commitment to football left a lasting impact. His knowledge and determination brought out the best in his teams. Above all, Ollie will be remembered as a man of integrity who gave his all to Irish football.”

“Everyone at St Patrick’s Athletic is saddened to learn of the passing of Ollie Horgan,” the Inchicore club posted. “Ollie contributed hugely to football in Ireland and was a hugely popular figure throughout our league. We send our condolences to his family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”

Cork City FC said Ollie was “a highly respected figure throughout Irish football, having managed Finn Harps for nine years and most recently been assistant manager at Galway United, Ollie will be truly missed by everyone across the League of Ireland community.”

Bohemian FC posted: “We extend our condolences and deepest sympathies to his family and all who knew him, particularly our friends at both Finn Harps and Galway United. His presence and passion will be so sorely missed by all.”

Waterford FC described Ollie as “a true legend of Irish football.”

"Whilst manager at Finn Harps, Ollie developed teams that provided stiff competition to the Candystripes and led Harps to their first league win at Brandywell," Derry City FC posted. "We may not have fond memories of those results, but Ollie's passion for his teams and his warmth of character were a great asset to the League and were unforgettable."

Derry City captain Mark Connolly posted: "Sad day for football in Ireland. Had the pleasure of playing under Ollie with the ulster schoolboys team many years ago, a true football man."

Arrangements - Saturday, August 30, 2025
Reposing at the family home in Cahermorris, Corrandulla, Galway, H91K5F2

Sunday, August 31, 2025
Reposing at the O’ Flaherty Funeral Parlour Munster Avenue, Galway (H91V1K8) from 3pm to 6pm

Monday, September 01, 2025
Ollie’s Requiem Mass will be celebrated at the Church of Christ the King, Salthill on arrival at 12 noon. He will be laid to rest in Rahoon cemetery. Mass will be live streamed.