In 2026, Galway United introduce a Third kit that carries genuine emotional weight. As part of the in-house design team, this was never going to be simply an alternative strip. Manufactured by O'Neills Sportswear, the jersey was conceived as a considered and permanent tribute to the late assistant manager Ollie Horgan.

From the outset, I wanted the shirt to reflect the man supporters knew so well on the touchline. Black with refined purple detailing felt instinctive. It captured something of Ollie’s presence. Direct. Proud. Resilient. Deeply connected to his club and community.

Below is the design concept as it was originally framed, outlining the thinking and symbolism behind every decision.

CONCEPT

Ollie was often seen in his black, Celtic-style training jacket at Galway United, a look that became part of his identity on the sideline. It symbolised pride, resilience, and a strong connection to tradition.

When designing this kit, I returned to that image repeatedly. The brief became clear. Keep it simple. Keep it strong. Create something grounded in the values he stood for rather than decorative flourishes.

BESPOKE HEMTAG

Passion, hard work, and integrity were the qualities most often used to describe Ollie. He lived those values daily, not only in how his teams performed, but in how he treated people. They defined his approach and earned him deep respect across Irish football.

Those words are captured in a bespoke hem tag. It is deliberately subtle, stitched into the fabric rather than displayed loudly. That felt appropriate. The message is there for those who look closely.

NAME TRIBUTE ON CHEST

Ollie was a rare figure who needed no surname. In football circles, simply saying “Ollie” was enough. As a designer, placing a single name on the chest was a conscious choice. No embellishment. No explanation. Just the name.

It reflects the unique place he held in Irish football and the simplicity that defined him.

CELTIC SAILOR KNOT

The Celtic Sailor’s Knot is a symbol of remembrance. It represents eternal love, loyalty, strong bonds, and safe passage. Originating from sailors crafting knotted tokens for loved ones before long voyages, it speaks to unbreakable connection to home and family. Its endless loops signify infinity and interconnectedness, expressing themes of enduring affection, commitment, and strength.

Incorporating the knot into the design allowed the shirt to carry symbolism without overwhelming its clean aesthetic. It anchors the jersey in memory and continuity.

SALTHILL COLOURS

The Salthill colours, positioned subtly on the back of the neck, are among the most personal details in the shirt. They pay tribute to Ollie’s homeplace, the coastal community that shaped his character and values. For those who know Galway, Salthill represents Atlantic resilience, close community ties, and quiet pride.

Placing those colours at the neckline was intentional. They sit close to the wearer, a quiet acknowledgement that identity is rooted long before the spotlight of the touchline.

Cancer Care West

Beyond the design details, it was important that the shirt carried a meaningful partnership. The logo of Cancer Care West appears on the back of the jersey. Including the charity aligns the tribute with compassion and community support, values that resonate strongly with Ollie’s legacy. Its placement ensures that every appearance of the Third kit promotes awareness and solidarity.

Visually, the execution is striking yet restrained. The dominant black base echoes his iconic Celtic themed sideline jacket, understated and unmistakable. Purple detailing adds depth and distinction, lifting the design while maintaining its strength. Each tribute element, from the chest name to the hem tag and knotwork, is given space to breathe.

Working with O’Neills ensured the shirt reflects Irish manufacture and heritage. Just as importantly, it remains a performance garment, built to be worn and competed in.

More than a Third kit, I see it as a statement of identity. It turns memory into something visible on the pitch, a reminder of standards set and values upheld. Black for resilience. Purple for distinction. A single name for a singular figure.

In the seasons to come, when this shirt is worn under away floodlights, I hope it carries the same quiet authority Ollie embodied. Honest. Proud. Rooted in tradition.

A tribute woven into fabric and into the future of Galway United.

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