Hahndorf forward Darcy Hourigan kicks 100 goals in Hills Football League ahead of finals
WHEN Darcy Hourigan kicked his 100th goal for Hahndorf Football Club, there was only one thing on his mind – his brother, Jarrad.
- Boyhood dream becomes grand final nightmare for Hahndorf
- Darcy Hourigan AFL draft profile
- Waikerie footballer kicks 100 goals for third season in a row
- Ruckman turned forward brings up century of goals
WHEN Darcy Hourigan kicked his 100th goal for Hahndorf Football Club, there was only one thing on his mind – his brother, Jarrad.
Wearing, as always, a black armband around his left bicep, Hourigan reached the milestone against Mount Barker last month then pointed his finger to the sky.
“He (Jarrad) passed away in 2015, but every game I play with that black armband on and he’s right there with me,” Hourigan, now 23, says.
“I’m a two-time 100 goalkicker, which its pretty unreal when you think about it.
“It’s a great achievement that I’m really proud of and so is my family, and my brother – I know he would be proud as well.
“So it was a really special moment for me.”
Hourigan, who will line up for Hahndorf in a second semi-final against Uraidla on Saturday, has been to dark places in recent years and come out the other side.
Jarrad’s sudden death in December 2015 came two years after Hourigan missed out on selection at the AFL drafts.
Hourigan had made his SANFL debut for South Adelaide as a 15 year old in 2011 then was the leading goalkicker and an all-Australian from the 2013 national under-18 championships.
But AFL clubs overlooked the 192cm key forward.
“I was really disappointed at the time to not make the AFL,” Hourigan says.
“I almost called it quits.”
Disillusioned with footy, Hourigan initially did not turn up to South Adelaide pre-season training during the summer that followed.
Panthers coach Brad Gotch eventually convinced him to come back out and former South running machine Jake Veide took Hourigan under his wing to get him fit.
But after building his engine he was struck down with osteitis pubis just before the start of the season.
“To work so hard but then have to basically stop for three to four weeks and then build back up again, it was gutting,” Hourigan says.
“Then I was in and out of the league side all year.
“After that I really lost that love of footy.”
Hourigan made his way to Hahndorf in 2015 to play with mates he had grown up with in Strathalbyn.
He says the decision helped him turn the corner.
Hahndorf won back-to-back flags in 2015-16 and Hourigan also cracked the 100-goal mark two years ago.
“I’ve really started to enjoy my footy again – I’ve got that love back for it now,” he says.
“I’m very lucky to play at Hahndorf.
“The way that they look after people is sensational. It’s been big for me and my family.”
A win in Saturday’s second semi-final against Uraidla at Balhannah Oval would give Hahndorf a shot at its third premiership in four years.
Last year the club lost the grand final to Blackwood after missing a post-siren kick for goal.
Hourigan says the heartache has driven the Magpies.
On a personal note, the once highly-touted junior has not ruled out having another crack at a higher level.
“Playing again in SANFL and maybe one day at AFL level is still in the back of my mind,” Hourigan says.
“I think I’ve still got what it takes but it just needs to be the right time. When that will be I’m still not sure.”