By Diarmaid Doherty

FAMILY and friends, former teaching colleagues, and those whose lives were touched by Ollie Horgan will pay an emotional farewell today as his funeral takes place this lunchtime in his native Galway.

Ollie, the former manager at Finn Harps, and former assistant manager at Galway United, died on Thursday. He was 57.

He was a teacher at St. Eunan’s College in Letterkenny where he joined the staff in 1989, teaching maths and PE.

On Friday, the school opened its doors to former staff members, pupils and the wider community with a special Mass celebrated in Ollie’s memory in the college chapel.

The school will remain closed today as a mark of respect.

Many people also travelled to Galway over the weekend to pay their respects as Ollie reposed at his home on Saturday and at O’ Flaherty Funeral Parlour in Galway on Sunday.

Requiem Mass will be celebrated today at the Church of Christ the King, Salthill on arrival at 12 noon. He will be laid to rest in Rahoon cemetery.

Ollie’s passing has prompted messages of sympathy and some wonderful heartfelt tributes over the last few days.

Ollie Horgan on the sideline at Finn Park.

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The President, Michael D. Higgins said Ollie will be deeply missed by the entire League of Ireland community.

“It is with great sadness that I have learnt of the death of Ollie Horgan,” the President 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.”

Emotional tributes have been pouring in from League of Ireland clubs, football personalities, former players and managers within the game.

There was much emotion too at Finn Park on Friday night as Harps played host to Treaty United in the League of Ireland First Division. Prior to kick-off, wreaths were laid in the centre circle by the respective team captains, Tony McNamee and Lee Devitt before fans stood for a minute’s applause.

There were tributes prior to all League of Ireland matches over the weekend and here in Donegal, players and officials observed minute’s silence before matches as the new Donegal League season got underway.

On Thursday night, Highland Radio’s ‘The Score’ programme was dedicated to the former Harps manager. Among the guests on the show were two of Ollie’s good friends, Kenny Harkin and Eamonn McConigley, both of whom played with Ollie at Fanad United when he first moved to Donegal.

They recalled first meeting a long-haired Ollie when they picked him up on Letterkenny’s Port Road to travel to Gaoth Dobhair where Fanad were playing in the Pat Doohan summer cup final.

“He played so well that night and all the boys took to him straight away,” Eamonn said.

“We’re all learning today of his death. It’s very sad, the only thing I will say is that anyone who knew Ollie will have fond memories of him, because what you see is what you get and you either take it or leave it.

“He was a tremendous character.”

Kenny Harkin said Ollie was a competitive player on the pitch as a left back with Fanad United. And that competitive streak stayed with him on the sideline when he became manager.

“He was a tough man, there was no compromise,” Kenny said.

“But what a class man. He was a pure gentleman until the end.

“It says a lot about the man that you don’t have to say ‘Ollie Horgan’. If you say ‘Ollie’, everyone knows who it is you are talking about. When you think about it, the crowds that went to watch Harps went as much for Ollie as for the team.”

The beloved son of the late Joe and Bernie Horgan, and brother of Martin R.I.P., Ollie is mourned by his wife Anita and their children Emma, Anthony, Brendan, Conor and David, sister Mary and brother Ger. He will also be missed by Kit, Brian and Caroline and his nephews, nieces and extended family.