Charity match remembering Shaun raises €4,600 for Hope

CHARITY football match has raised €4,600 for a suicide prevention centre, all in memory of their late friend Shaun Dargan.

Last weekend, friends of Shaun in Tallaght City FC banded together with Kilnamanagh AFC to play out a friendly match at Ned Kelly Park in aid of HOPE Suicide Prevention Drop-In Centre.

HOPE is a service for people who may be feeling lonely, isolated, depressed or suicidal, alongside those who have been affected by or bereaved by suicide.

Father of one, Shaun Dargan was well known in Kilnamanagh and around his locality of Tymonville, where he lived.

He played football for Kilnamanagh AFC before joining forces with Tallaght City about eight-years-ago.

On December 1 of last year, Shaun died by suicide at the age of 30.

As a means to raise awareness around suicide prevention, Ciaran Mitten, Anthony Hanevy, Keith Moloney and Michelle Morris got together to raise funds for charity in memory of their late friend on what would have been his 31st birthday.

“It was a great day, we had a great turnout for it, all for a good cause, and the game went well as well, all the lads were roasting in the heat,” Ciaran Mitten of Tallaght City tells The Echo.

“I’d have to thank Kilnamanagh for hosting it and letting us all use their facilities and everyone who contributed to the prizes for the raffle.”

Catherine, Richard, Lyndsey and Carla Dargan

Kilnamanagh AFC hosted the family fun day, packed with bouncy castles and fun for all, to go along with the charity match.

All of Shaun’s friends pulled on the strips of Kilnamanagh and Tallaght City for the match, with the former running out 2-0 winners after 90 minutes.

All of the proceedings raised through the bucket shaking, raffle and other events on the day have been donated to HOPE.

“It’s a big thing, I’d like to hope that this is something we could do every year because it’s for a good cause,” Ciaran, who was good friends with Shaun before his passing, says.

“All of Shaun’s family were there on the day as well, they enjoyed themselves and it was really just a good day out for everyone.”

If you have been affected by this story and need support, please contact HOPE Suicide Prevention Drop-In Centre Tallaght Facebook page or call 087 136 3082 and Samaritans 116 12316 123.

Pieta House Dublin South in Tallaght call 01 462 4792, for Pieta House Ballyfermot call 01 623 5606 and for Pieta House Lucan call 01 6010000 or visit the charity’s website.