TEN THOUSAND terracotta figures representing sports fans are to feature in a memorial for murdered rugby player Shane Geoghegan. Yesterday his family appealed for support for the innovative art installation.
The project, led by his aunt Margaret Walsh, who is a ceramicist, was launched by mayor of Limerick Cllr Maria Byrne and is intended to be completed by the third anniversary of his death in November this year.
About 4,000 figures have already been made.
The “Pitch for Shane” art installation will see the 10,000 terracotta figures made by members of the public and assembled to create a “metaphorical pitch” in memory of the rugby player, who was murdered in 2008 in a case of mistaken identity.
Shane’s mother Mary and brother Anthony attended the launch of the project. Making a rare public comment, Mary Geoghegan said she was delighted with the “unique memorial” to her murdered son.
“Shane, I know, would love this,” she said. “Although he had an engineering brain, he was a team player and like his aunt, had art in his heart.
“We encourage everyone to make a clay figure for Shane’s pitch, not only to show you reject violence, but also to remember Shane positively and fittingly.”
She added: “This is a way for everyone to be involved and show their solidarity.”
“We are calling for everyone, young and old to make one. This is a pitch for peace, a pitch for Shane and it is a pitch for all of those touched by violence, so it encompasses everything,” Ms Walsh said.
Members of the public can make the clay figurines at this weekend’s Riverfest event in Limerick, with a stand to be located in the city’s historic Milk Market from Friday to Monday.