The Club is saddened to learn of the passing of Matt Gahan, a man whose name has been closely associated with Raheny Shamrock since its foundation in 1958. Indeed Matt’s father Jim Gahan, whose Butcher’s shop (now Earnest Estates) was for 40 years a landmark building on Raheny’s crossroads, was one of its founding members.
In turn Matt became one of the Club’s star athletes in the early years, proving himself a fine Cross Country runner and playing his part in the early club achievements .
The most iconic photograph in the Club’s history is of the start of the very first cross country race in St Annes in 1958 with Matt Gahan prominent in the centre of the photo.
Later he would serve as Club Chairman in the mid 1970’s at a time when the Club was housed in the Old National school behind the Scouts. Indeed he oversaw a major renovation to the then two classroom building and turning it into the user friendly clubhouse it became.
By profession Matt was a Butcher, serving his apprenticeship in his fathers shop in Raheny before branching out with his own shop on Philipsburgh Ave, serving the people of Fairview and Marino for many years.
Always retaining his great love and interest in Raheny Shamrock over the last seven decades he was a regular attender at Club promotions and Social gatherings over the years.
Matt was predeceased by his wife Sheila and is survived by his children Siobhan, Seamus, Eoin, Ciaran and Cathal, grandchildren, his sister Winnie and brothers Jim, Declan and John.
To them all , the wider Gahan family and all his neighbours on Foxfield Road and friends we send our deepest condolences.
May Matt rest easily.
Dick Hooper
