Ireland ladies Homeless World Cup team are doing the country proud

THE Women’s World Cup 2023 has all the limelight in the media with Ireland set to take on hosts Australia in their opening fixture on Thursday, but Irish ladies are already on course for a semi-final at another tournament – the Homeless World Cup in Sacramento, USA.

Ireland’s ladies Homeless World Cup team are coached by Mary Byrne from Walkinstown, and doing the country proud at a tournament which takes place in the Californian capital from July 8-15.

Logistically it has been really 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 is over six years since Ireland had a ladies team participating in the Homeless World Cup and what an impact they are making.

At the half way stage, they currently lie in third position with 12 points – the top four teams going into the semi finals on Friday.

Coach Mary Byrne reckons they have a chance.

“It’s remarkable how well they are playing considering the temperature out here it’s 35 degrees so it really saps the energy. The girls are quietly confident and giving it their all, so hopefully we can make the semi final stages,” said Ms Byrne.

Another Walkinstown resident Chris O’Brien, from the Irish Street Leagues, spent many days organising logistics for the trip.

“Just seeing the pride and smiles on the girls faces as they took to the field for the first game, has made it all worthwhile,” he said.

Clondalkin resident Sean Kavanagh, founder of the Irish Homeless Street leagues, from which the ladies team were selected, said: “It is a tremendous achievement for the girls just to get there. They had to overcome many obstacles in their lives to represent Ireland.”

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