Football clubs remember Shaun on his 31st birthday with charity match

TWO local football clubs will go head-to-head in a charity match to raise funds for a suicide prevention centre, all in memory of their late friend Shaun Dargan.

Tallaght City FC will this Sunday take on Kilnamanagh AFC in a charity football match, with a family fun day also taking place at Ned Kelly Park on the day in aid of HOPE Suicide Prevention Drop-In Centre.

From Tymonville in Tallaght, Shaun played his football with Kilnamanagh before linking up with Tallaght City when his friends started playing there together about eight-years-ago.

“He would have been 31 on Sunday, so we’re playing a match with all of his friends,” says Ciaran Mitten of Tallaght City, who was good friends with Shaun before his death.

“You’re going to have all of his friends playing for the Kilnamanagh side and then ourselves in Tallaght City.

“See Shaun was a very popular fella, absolutely everyone knew him from around here and that’s why we’re doing this in memory of him, to give everyone a chance to do something in his memory.”

The father-of-one was set to turn 31 on Sunday alongside his twin sister Carla.

Shaun died by suicide on December 1 and Ciaran has urged people to seek help if they are feeling low.

“No one is doing anything, everyone is losing what they do with these lockdowns,” he said.

“You go from training once or twice a week, maybe grabbing a pint after training, and playing a match at the weekend, to absolutely nothing.

“We’re all sitting at home and you can’t talk to anyone, it’s terrible.

“I work in Frank Keane MINI and they had sponsored our jerseys, Shaun was down with us on the Friday getting the photos taken in the new kit.

“He seemed grand over the weekend and on the Tuesday then he died by suicide.

“You just don’t know what is going through people’s heads.

“There’s no getting back from it, but there is hope and there is help out there, reach out and ask for help.

“Shaun is very sadly missed by absolutely everyone, especially his young son Ralph.”

The family fun day starts at 2pm in Ned Kelly Park in Kilnamanagh, with bouncy castles and a big raffle on the day, before the charity match kicks-off at 3pm.

All proceeds raised will go to HOPE.

Son of the late Richard and Jacqueline, Shaun is survived by his son Ralph and siblings Catherine, Richard, Lyndsey and Carla.

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 01 601 0000 or visit the charity’s website.