‘Mad goalie’ John hit rock-bottom and prayed he wouldn’t wake up

By Maurice Garvey

STARTING on a deadly drug path at 12 years of age, Irish Street League goalie John Farrell didn’t wait around for bad things to happen – he dived in head first.

Now living in Ballyfermot, the Rathfarnham native was introduced to gas and petrol by peers in his estate in Whitechurch, at a time when most lads his age were doing their communion.

In a recent interview with Ireland’s Big Issue, John said that he was smoking up to four ounces of hash a week, and did his Leaving Certificate in a haze of Es, acid and hash.

Eventually moving on to heroin, he managed to complete a stone mason’s apprenticeship and get married at 25, but it was inevitable that it all came crashing down.

His wife and child left him, he lost his job, and resorted to petty crime to feed his habit.

Hitting rock-bottom on a truck trailer and praying to God that he wouldn’t wake up, John says a moment of clarity gave him hope, and ultimately the will to fight for his life.

The next day he took himself off methadone treatment, went to a Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meeting, and hasn’t looked back.
This week, he’ll try to make good things happen for his country at a football world cup.

John (38) was selected to play for Ireland at the Homeless World Cup in Glasgow (July 10-16).

Speaking to The Echo, John quipped that he was “getting a bit old to make the Irish senior team, so this was probably my last opportunity to play at a world cup.”

Irish Street League founder Sean Kavanagh announced John as the “mad goalie” in the Irish squad during a recent celebration at the Mansion House, and his teammates seem to have taken a shine to his character.

Now living in Ballyfermot, and re-united with his wife and family, John became involved in Street Soccer Leagues through the Matt Talbot Trust, and helps other people who are struggling with addiction and homelessness.

He was surprised to be picked after being knocked out by a football in the first round of the All-Ireland Championship.
“I’m over the moon to represent Ireland and my wife is chuffed – she and her family have been a massive support,” said John.