Deklan Gilmartin: Friends raise money for Coogee FC star’s funeral
Tributes are flooding in for a talented eastern suburbs soccer star who died at the weekend while on holiday on Fraser Island. In just a few short hours since his passing was announced, his friends have raised an incredible $13,000 to give him “the (funeral) service he deserves”.
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Tributes are pouring in for a beloved eastern suburbs first-grade footballer who died in a car accident in Queensland at the weekend.
Twenty-nine year-old Deklan Gilmartin, who played for Coogee United Football Club and Hakoah Sydney City East FC, was enjoying a holiday on Fraser Island when it is believed he lost control of a four-wheel-drive on 75 Mile Beach.
The car is reported to have rolled on the sand, killing the former South Sydney High School instantly.
Emergency services and rescue helicopters were called to the beach about 1.5 kilometres north of Eli Creek around 7am on Sunday.
Gilmartin, who is understood to have been driving at the time, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A back seat passenger also suffered serious injuries including a large cut to his head.
Two other male passengers were left with small cuts.
Soon after his death was announced friends began raising money on the website GoFundMe to “give him the (funeral) service he deserves”.
The page has already raised in excess of $13000 for the beloved Coogee FC player, with more than 130 donations in less than 24 hours.
“As you are all now probably aware we have tragically lost our Dek,” wrote organiser Morgan Cooper.
“If you can, please contribute some money to give him the service he deserves and to assist the Gilmartin family to carry on Deklan’s legacy.”
Friends have chipped in excess of $1000 each and left heartbreaking tributes to the man on the GoFundMe page.
The Coogee United FC Premier League Facebook page has also been flooded with tributes with friends remembering “Dekkers” as someone with a “contagious smile and outrageous talent”.
“Dek personified what our club strives to be in every way and we are shattered to have lost someone so special and so young,” the club Facebook post read.
“He was arguably the most gifted player we’ve ever had to grace the black and white shirt of Coogee United and was often referred to by many as being ‘far too good for this level’.
“Football aside, it was Dek’s tremendous love of life off the park that people adored even more.
“His smile was contagious and he was one of those that would light up every room and do anything to help others, anytime.
“Our club will never be the same again.”
At Hakoah FC, tributes described him as “an incredibly special young man with an infectious smile and contagious enthusiasm.”
A post on Eastern Suburbs Football Association Facebook read: “Our hearts break and we are all devastated at the unexpected and tragic loss of a talented young footballer and a member of our football family, Deklan Gilmartin.”
Football NSW described Gilmartin as a “tricky midfielder” and noted his “instrumental role in the success of Hakoah Sydney City East”.
Lisa Campos of Campos Talent Agency also penned a tribute to the talented footballer, writing on social media: “I have had the honour of representing Deklan for several years now and have never encountered such a friendly and vibrant person with such a passion for life.”
Police have said it is too early to tell whether speed or dangerous driving was a factor in the accident, but have said the driver was wearing a seatbelt.