Sport used as a catalyst for change

Sport used as a catalyst for change

By Maurice Garvey 

THE Postal Club in Tallaght was the scene for the annual All-Ireland trials for the Irish Homeless World Cup team, reports Maurice Garvey.

The annual event is used as a basis to pick an Irish side from street leagues across the country for the finals.

Homeless Leagues 06

Brendan Cannon (AWS), Sean Kavanagh, Irish Street Leagues founder, Frances Kavanagh, Stephen Kenny, Ireland U21 boss and Kevin Leavy

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

The league provides opportunities to people who have suffered addiction or social issues, and Kavanagh is a big believer in using “sport as a catalyst for change.”

Manager of the Republic of Ireland U21 side Stephen Kenny was among those in attendance for the trials, which always draw a big crowd.

This year, Amazon Web Services (AWS) have come on board to support the Irish Street Leagues in their efforts to send four teams to the July finals in Wales.

Brendan Cannon, AWS Ireland said the company were “delighted to be involved and support” a national finals event in Tallaght, noting their strong presence in Dublin 24 and recent ventures which have seen them engage in a number of community initiatives.

The Irish coach is Clondalkin native Thomas Morgan, a former Blackburn Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic midfielder.

Last year, the Irish team finished 17th out of 40 countries at the Homeless World Cup in Mexico. It was the first trophy the team have won at the annual tournament, but they have been highly competitive in recent years.

TAGS
Share This