It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Little Blue Hero Josh O’Hagan to Oriel Park for the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division game with Shelbourne last Sunday.
Josh, who was born with a congenital heart condition, was made the first honorary member of Garda Siochana Louth in December 2021 and received his certificate and badge last year!
The 14-year-old, who hails from Coulter Place, took to the field at half-time with his mother and father, Mags and Niall, his brothers and sisters, and mentor Garda Darragh Prior to hold a draw for a signed and framed Dundalk FC jersey in order to raise funds for Little Blue Heroes.
The draw was organised by Ann McKeown from St Alphonsus Villas who has raised €4,120 for Little Blue Heroes this year alone, and over €8k since she started fundraising for the organisation two years ago.
Garda Darragh Prior assists Josh O’Hagan with the draw for the signed Dundalk FC jersey. Top: Ann McKeown, Garda Darragh Prior, Dundalk FC COO Martin Connolly, and Josh O’Hagan. Photos: Ciaran Culligan
Established in 2017, Little Blue Heroes is a not-for-profit registered charity voluntarily led by Garda members, retired Garda members, and civic-minded people from communities.
The charity employs one person from the community to operate the day-to-day administration of the charity. It is independent of An Garda Siochana and is funded entirely by donations and fundraising.
The Little Blue Heroes Foundation’s vision is to support families of children with serious illnesses in Ireland while empowering the lives of children through positive community engagement.
Dundalk FC supporters played their part in the fundraiser by buying tickets for the one-off shirt, raising €1000 for Little Blue Heroes.
Five-year Manus Bellew – from Bellew Electric on the Coe’s Road – was named as the winner with well-known Dundalk FC supporter Barry McEneaney the seller of the winning ticket!
Speaking to dundalkfc.com after the event, Ann McKeown, said: “I would like to say a special word of thanks to Gerry Coleman and Ailish Kelly at Dundalk FC, and also to Glenart Framing and Priority Print who kindly donated their services to making the draw happen.”
For more information on Little Blue Heroes, visit www.littleblueheroes.org
