Now This We HAVE To Tell You About – ‘Pitch for Shane’

On November 9^th 2008 young Shane Geoghegan was shot in a case of mistaken identity, thus falling tragically victim to a gangland feud in which he had absolutely no part. November 9^th 2011 will mark the third anniversary of Shane’s death. The number three has special significance for Shane’s loved ones: he was Garryowen’s rugby thirds team captain and wore the number three jersey. 

In the wake of Shane’s shocking murder his aunt, ceramicist Margaret Walsh, came up with a powerful concept for paying tribute to all innocent victims touched by violence: Pitch for Shane. The idea “was inspired by The Terracotta Army of the First Emperor of China of the Qin dynasty.  Everyone said it was a fitting tribute to Shane in the year that Limerick is the European City of Sport.”

So what exactly is Pitch for Shane? It’s an ever-expanding collection of clay figures made by the public from various parts of Ireland and ceramicists and visitors from all over the world. The ‘Pitch’ in the title refers to a notional football pitch, full of thousands of these clay figures. To date over 8,000 figures have been made, with people from all walks of life being given a chance to express their solidarity with Shane and all other innocent victims of violence in the most literally ‘hands-on’ way imaginable.

“In the beginning,” Margaret explains, “the public were asked to put a face, markings, designs or comments on a piece of clay. People are very creative and produce amazing works of art, the figure/ sculpture is to stand on its own and not to have fragile bits that will break in transport. Advice and assistance is given to anyone who needs it.”  The terracotta figures are fired by Jason McCarthy in the Limerick School of Art and Design, thanks to permission granted by Mike Fitzpatrick, head of LSAD.

Pitch for Shane just seems to be one of those ideas that comes along and grips people’s imagination. It has already attracted some high-profile supporters. On January 5^th 2011, for instance, a chap by the name of Enda Kenny made a figure during his visit to Limerick’s Milk Market. He was on the campaign trail at the time, and in the company of Limerick’s then Mayor, Cllr. Maria Byrne. “Mr Kenny extended his sympathy,” recalls Margaret, “and said what we were doing was a ‘valuable way of remembering Shane’”.  

Many other well known people have made figures for a Pitch for Shane: Henry Sandon MBE and resident expert in ceramics on the BBC Antiques Roadshow, Malacky McCourt, brother of Angela’s Ashes author Frank, Pat Shortt, Lady Geraldine Dunraven, Gerry Flannery, Marcus Horan, David Norris, Gay Mitchell and Mary Davis. To this impressive list must be added the names of some celebrated national and international ceramic artists: Walter Keeler (UK), Richard Notkin (USA), Elke Sada (Germany), Ho Hyang Jong (Korea),  Pominin M.Hum (Indonesia), Jiansheng Li (China), Sara Flynn, Frances Lambe and Etain Hickey (Ireland). And many more.

Margaret notes that 2011’s being the year of craft and the year of the volunteer makes Pitch for Shane even more timely. “The majority of people thank us for providing them with the opportunity to be part of this project.” She is kind enough to share some of the comments made by members of the public. They bear eloquent witness to the way in which this initiative has resonated with people:

•  ‘One of a kind’ – this is how I see this and who it is for
• ‘This is a very worthwhile idea to remind us of these very special people who died through violence and are sorely missed
• Great idea , Wonderful Pitch
• ‘Shane was creative and so is this idea’ – former teacher
• ‘This is awesome, unique for a lovely fellow’
• ‘How could we forget Shane PBC.’
• ‘It allows people to express their grief and feelings’

The “Pitch for Shane” art installation will make a powerful silent statement against violence and gangland crime in our country. It is, as Margaret puts it, “a Pitch for Peace.” Expressing the hope that “the project, or a section of the sculptures, will form a permanent tribute to all innocent victims of violence”, she leaves us with a moving statement of purpose: “The brutal murder of Shane has left a huge gap in the lives of those who loved and knew him.  We, his family, want Shane to be remembered for the way he lived his life and not for the manner of his death. Pitch for Shane has touched the lives of many people who have lost loved ones and want to live in a safe society.”

 Pitch for Shane is in the Milk Market every Saturday from 10 o’ clock to 1.30. Clay will also be available in the Frank McCourt Museum, former Leamys School Hartstonge Street Limerick.  Any groups, clubs, business or schools who want to make figures for a Pitch for Shane please phone 0861051355. Clay will be provided and assistance given in the creation of terracotta sculptures.