Locals shine as Irish Homeless World Cup teams make second round
By Maurice Garvey
BOTH the Irish men's and women's teams have stormed through to the second round of the 2017 Homeless World Cup in Norway, which is taking place in Oslo, from August 29 to September 5.
The mens side won four out of four groups games in the first round against Holland, France, India and Hungary (13 goals for – 2 against).
Anthony Dillon (Tallaght) scores the opening goal against Hungary
The first ever Irish womens team won three out of four first round fixtures – beating Greece, Holland, Wales – and only losing to defending champs Mexico (goals for 19 - against 15)
Players are picked from trials at the Irish street Leagues around the country.
Irelands Big Issue editor and Clondalkin resident Sean Kavanagh – established the Street League and Irish Homeless World cup team in the early noughties – using sport as a catalyst for positive development.
Managed by Clondalkin native and former Irish international Thomas Morgan for the last four years, the Irish team have become a formidable force at the tournament, regularly finishing within the top 10.
Nitika Farrerly hits the net against Wales
The mens team are involved in an All-Ireland clash today, facing off against Northern Ireland at 5pm, whilst the women battle Asian side Kyrgyzstan Republic directly afterwards at 5.20pm.
Follow the action at www.homelessworldcup.org and Irish news at www.irishstreetleague.com
Fri Sep 1
Ire v Northern Ireland (m) and Ire v Kyrgyzstan Rep (w)
Sat Sep 2
Ire v Bosnia (m) Ire v Switzerland (m) and Ire v Norway (w) and Ire v Chile (w)
Sun Sep 3
Ire v Zimbabwe (m) Ire v South Africa (m) and Ire v Egypt (w) and Ire v Kenya (w)
