Great achievement for local lads who make Irish Homeless World Cup team

By Maurice Garvey

TWO local lads have made the final cut for the Irish Homeless World Cup team and will compete for glory during the tournament in Glasgow (July 10-16).

Jamie Geoghan (20) from Clondalkin and John Farrell (38) from Ballyfermot, received their caps during a gala ceremony at the Mansion House on Monday night.

The pair qualified through nationwide trials in the Irish Street leagues, and join a small squad traveling to Scotland to play in the four-a-side competition – played at intense pace on artificial pitches.

Geoghan, a Shancastle resident, will play outfield, whilst Farrell, the team’s goalkeeper, will attempt to keep ball out of the Irish net.

Irelands Big Issue editor and Clondalkin resident Sean Kavanagh – established the Street League and Irish Homeless World cup team years ago.

Announcing the team on Monday night, Kavanagh said it was a “great achievement” for the players to make the final cut, and also paid tribute to those who didn’t make the team.

Clondalkin native Thomas Morgan, a former Irish international, Premier League winner with Blackburn Rovers, and four-time League of Ireland winner, takes charge of the troops for the second year in a row.

The boys in green finished 10th out of 48 teams at Amsterdam 2015 – another impressive showing for an Irish side that is consistently improving at the annual tournament.

The Irish Street league helps transform individuals who have encountered difficulties and fallen on hard times – rebuilding lives using sport as a catalyst for change.

Dennis Cruise from the FAI handed players their jerseys at the ceremony, which was attended by Dublin Mayor Críona Ní Dhálaigh, a number of politicians, supporters, family and friends.