United Park to go Green for visit of Derry City to help #EndTheStigma around mental health
United Park to go Green for visit of Derry City to help #EndTheStigma around mental health
Initiative led by Famous 45 Ultras group has been supported by the club, An Garda Siochana and the Drogheda Implementation Group.
Supporters have been urged to don green colours this Friday night as Derry City visit United Park in the League of Ireland Premier Division - with the Sea Change Green Ribbon campaign taking centre stage.
Both sets of players will wear green t-shirts emblazoned with ‘#EndTheStigma’ during the pre-match warm-ups to help raise awareness of the resources available to support those experiencing mental health difficulties.
Friday night’s campaign is being spearheaded by the ‘Famous 45 Ultras’ supporters group, for whom members Kieran Lyons, Dean O’Reilly, & Nathan O’Connor helped launch the initiative alongside representatives from Irish mental health charity Shine, Drogheda Garda Station, the Drogheda Implementation Board and the club.
Drogheda United have history in giving a platform to causes such as this one. United Park was renamed Head In The Game Park for two seasons in 2021 and 2022, in support of the movement to raise awareness of the importance of mental health across the football community.
According to figures released by the Central Statistics Office, 449 people died by suicide in Ireland in 2021- and 80% (359) of those were men. In the previous year, suicide was the most common cause of death among people aged 15 to 34 while the proportion of suicides among women rose has also steadily risen in the last decade.
Green ‘Sea Change’ ribbons, posters and information cards outlining resources and support available to those who need it will be distributed to everyone entering United Park for the match on Friday evening. Prior to kick off, the ultra fan group will unveil a Tifo display banner, designed specifically with this campaign in mind.
“Sadly, we are at a crisis point in our society where suicide and battles with mental health has darkened all of our doors in some way. I couldn’t be prouder of our fans, and The F45U in particular for their work on this campaign,” Drogheda United chairperson Joanna Byrne said.
“This is not the first major community based project our Ultras have driven, and to have fans and young men that are so aware of the huge challenges our society is facing makes me very proud. It’s always been said that there is great potential for our club and the fans to collectively make a difference in our communities and endeavours like this do just that.
Byrne continued: “Collaborative projects between the fans and the Gardai also go a long way in breaking down barriers between youngsters and the guards, which in itself is exceptionally worthwhile.
“The group led by Dean O’Reilly, Nathan O’Connor and Kieran Lyons have poured their hearts into ensuring Drogs had a place at the table on this campaign and the club has been happy to facilitate and back them in that.
“I want to pay particular thanks to Derry City FC for coming onboard and participating in this too. We’re asking all of our fans attending to wear something Green and I’ve no doubt the fans will rally behind the group on Friday with this and with their display and show everyone that Drogheda is United in our support of #EndTheStigma suicide prevention and mental health awareness.”
L-R Derek Pepper from Shine, Sergeant Yvette McCormack An Garda Siochana, Drogs Chairperson Joanna Byrne, F45U members Kieran Lyons, Dean O’Reilly, & Nathan O’Connor, First Team Manager Kevin Doherty, Inspector Declan Monaghan An Garda Siochana and Grainne Berrill of Drogheda Implementation Board