Football is like therapy in itself

THE Street leagues has personal stories for every player involved, many of them featuring awful tragedies.

Shauna Cooley is one, a Ballyfermot resident and mother of three, who lost her sister Lyndsey to suicide three years ago, and her partner last year, who died following a car crash.

It led Shauna down a dark path with drugs, mainly cocaine, prolonging her misery.

However, while in treatment at Coolmine, she received a lifeline in the form of hearing about the street leagues, and after attending Pearse Street leagues, she hasn’t looked back.

“They have been brilliant, I didn’t really play football before, but it has been great to meet new people, socialise in a good way, meeting the right people,” said Shauna, who is continuing her treatment in Coolmine where she will be for another five months.

Shauna was joined by Mary Byrne, a Walkinstown resident, who runs the Ballyfermot Women’s Street Leagues, which started in recent years due to demand.

Mary Byrne and Shauna Cooley

“The women’s league has really grown and grown, the girls keep coming back,” said Mary.

“The football helps clear your head and brings a positive attitude.”

Shauna agreed wholeheartedly, noting the football “is like a therapy in itself”.

Mary was on hand to motivate the local ladies sides at the finals in the Postal Club, while Shauna’s team made it all the way to the semi-finals, but were eliminated by a strong Limerick outfit.

However, this isn’t the end of the journey for Shauna and Mary, who are both from Crumlin originally.

“I’m hoping to stick with the football and keep the head focused,” acknowledged Shauna.

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