Bohemian FC have paid a permanent tribute to a true club legend as the six month anniversary of his death approaches.
The north Dublin club have named a stand in Dalymount Park honour of Derek "Mono" Monaghan who sadly passed away suddenly on August 17. He has been sorely missed at Dalymount since his death and was fondly known as "Mr Bohemians".
At his funeral mass on August 23 he was remembered by his children as the "greatest man to ever live" as Johnny Logan performed Hold Me Now in his memory. Paul Duffy and Hughie Dempsey from Bohemian FC also paid tribute to Mono, with Paul saying: "You're going to your own marquee now in heaven."
Posting an update on Instagram Bohemian FC included an image of the fitting tribute to Mono. Now his name it etched above the pitch as the "Mono Stand" has come to life.
They said: "The first stand to be named in Dalymount in over 20 years, there could only be one name for it. Our first league game of 2023 will be the day of his 6 month anniversary. Missed every single day by all at Bohemians."
A previous tribute from Bohemian FC says: "On matchdays, Mono’s beaming smile was often the first thing to greet players and staff on arrival, and that same beaming smile would be the last thing so many supporters saw at the end of the night as he pulled the shutters down in the Members’ Bar after last orders.
"From the children he laid on Christmas parties for every year to the old folks’ dance in the Members’ Bar every Sunday, Mono uplifted generations of Bohs fans. Mono’s good form was infectious. He always had a kind word for everyone and everyone always had a kind word for Mono.
"He was a constant positive presence in the lives of so many at the club and we are all struggling to comprehend life at Dalymount without him. Football clubs really are all about people and Mono was one that made ours so special."
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