Coach Mary Byrne instructs some members of the team
Fantastic performance from ladies team in the Homeless World Cup
IRELAND’S ladies football team finished 4th in the Homeless World Cup in the USA, beating their hosts along the way in what was a fantastic achievement, reports Maurice Garvey.
It is the highest ever placing by a Irish team in the Homeless World Cup, which took place in Sacramento, California. July 8-15.
Ireland’s ladies Homeless World Cup team is coached by Mary Byrne from Walkinstown, and what an impact they made, reaching the semi-finals after wins over hosts USA, France, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Austria.
Reaching the semi-final they faced unbeaten Chile with the game played in temperatures reaching 38° Celsius.
It was a difficult challenge but the ladies gave a good account of themselves, before three late goals flattered the Chileans who won 6-2.
Coach Mary Byrne was upbeat: “It is remarkable how well they played considering the temperature out there, it really saps your energy. They are a fantastic group of girls.
I couldn’t have asked and gotten more off them.”
At an awards ceremony later, Mary received the ultimate accolade when voted ladies coach of the tournament.
Modest Mary is also the coordinator of the Street League programme in Ballyfermot.
Clondalkin resident Sean Kavanagh, founder of the Irish Homeless Street leagues, from which the ladies team was selected, said: “It is a tremendous achievement for the girls to reach the semi-finals of a world tournament and a tribute to the effort they put in and the obstacles they’ve overcome to represent Ireland.”
Logistically it was difficult for European teams and players to secure visas to the States, and as such, the Irish men’s team will compete in an alternative tournament closer to home.
With disruption caused by Covid, it was over six years since Ireland had a ladies team participating in the Homeless World Cup, but it was worth the wait.
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