Soccer ace fears loss of her place in homeless shelter
By Maurice Garvey
A STAR in the first-ever Irish Women’s Homeless World Cup team fears she could lose her place in a homeless shelter, whilst she battles for a trophy in Norway.
Christine Geoghegan (24), from Clondalkin, will compete in the 2017 Homeless World Cup, which takes place in Oslo, from August 29 to September 5.
Nikitta Farrelly (Tallaght), David Bissett (Inchicore), Christine Geoghegan (Clondalkin)
Currently staying in a shelter in Clanbrassil Street, and with emergency accommodation at crisis levels in the city, Christine is worried that she may come home to find her bed has been taken.
“I’m really concerned I’ll lose my spot – I’m trying to do something positive here,” said Christine.
“South Dublin County Council advised me to go on HAP (Housing Assistance Payment), but there is nothing out there.”
The former Collinstown College student battled drug addiction for eight years, which included being on a life-support machine at one stage.
She endured a difficult childhood in Deansrath after her father Thomas O’Reilly died by suicide when she was just a baby.
“Addiction ran through my family, I started hanging around with the wrong crowd, got into drugs early, and was kicked out of school in second year. I was out of control,” she said.
After getting involved in the Irish Homeless Street Leagues, Christine got her life back on track and is now 18 months sober.
She had been staying on a couch at her sister’s apartment, but knew the arrival of her sister and partner’s third child, meant she would have to move out, which she did three months ago.
“I’m back in hostels and it is dreadful, waking up with people smoking crack around you isn’t good for recovery. My dream is to be a personal trainer and go travelling.”
Christine will be joined on the women’s team by Jobstown native Nikitta Farrelly, who was referred to the street leagues a year ago, and has already started to make strides.
The men’s team will be captained by Inchicore man David Bissett, who spent a couple of years in a linked-in service at Kavanagh House. David was referred by a councillor to start competing in the street leagues at Pearse Street two years ago.
Also on the men’s team is Ben Nolan. Formerly from Killinarden, Ben (29) has been homeless since 2013, is staying in a hostel in Smithfield, but is “looking forward to the challenge” in Norway.
The two teams were announced during a gala ceremony in the Mansion House on August 10, with former Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr in attendance.
Irelands Big Issue editor and Clondalkin resident Sean Kavanagh – established the Street League and Irish Homeless World Cup team in the early noughties.
“The idea was to use sport as a catalyst for positive development,” said Kavanagh.
Sponsors Arup have backed the teams for the Norway challenge.
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.
