He was the driving force behind the project that turned an eight-acre field where turnips were grown pre-1994 into a state-of-the-art facility made up of two all-weather pitches, a training pitch, clubhouse, dressing rooms and a media facilities. The entire project was funded by O’Regan’s fundraising, government and National Lottery funding, as well grants from the FAI. The cost was funded without a bank loan and is debt-free. Chairman of the Kerry District League Sean O'Keeffe said that O’Regan had done so much for Kerry soccer in terms of its growth and the completion of the Mounthawk Park project. “The naming of the stand is a fitting tribute to John O’Regan who spent more than 40 years of his life in service for the Kerry District League, both in his role as secretary, fixtures secretary and above all looking after the maintenance and development of Mounthawk Park. "We welcome former and current officers of the KDL who served with John over the years, working so hard to bring Kerry soccer to the place it is in today. "John’s contribution to football was recognised recently by the FAI when he was conferred with honorary life membership of the Association in recognition of his years of service to football in this country,” O’Keeffe said. “Where we stand today in Mounthawk Park started out as a vision for John back in the late eighties when he was a member of Tralee Utd soccer and this field was sold on to the KDL, to become the headquarters for Kerry soccer. It was just a big field and now thanks to the tireless work of John O’Regan and various committees down the years, Mounthawk Park is now a top-class facility and it is only fitting that the main stand should have his name on it as it would not there without him." O’Regan thanked the large number of clubs who had made the trip to honour him and he had special words for his long time friend John Delaney who flew in from London to be present. “Thanks very much for making it here, John." he said. "Your late dad Joe opened the grounds here when we started out and you were a huge help to us in Kerry to enable us complete this project.” Delaney told the Irish Examiner that he was delighted to be back in Kerry and he had good news for a couple of Kerry clubs. “I gave €5,000 to Castlegregory last summer and I gave €10,000 to Castleisland, and I am giving €5,000 today, out of my own pocket.”