Street Leagues is an opportunity for people to move forward with their life
By Maurice Garvey
THE Irish Homeless World Cup 2019 team was announced in the Mansion House last Thursday evening (July 11), and will give it their “best shot” at the tournament in Wales, according to Irish Street Leagues founder Sean Kavanagh.
Former Republic of Ireland star Wesley Hoolahan was in attendance to hand out jerseys to the team, and caps to the 2018 side.
Frances Kavanagh (Irish Street Leagues), Tara McNeil (Irish Women’s team 2017), and Emmet Switzer (President of the MiniFootball Association of Ireland)
Ireland’s Big Issue editor and Clondalkin resident Sean Kavanagh established the Street League and Irish Homeless World cup team in 2002.
The leagues are now run at locations across the country, helping men and women who have endured social struggles, to re-integrate back into society via sport.
Speaking at the Mansion House, Kavanagh said the success of the team would not be possible without the support of people, “because we can’t rely on government”.
“I always say that sport can act as a catalyst for change in life, and football is like life, in that you give it a good shot, and it contains good attributes like discipline and social interaction.”
He said the leagues provide an opportunity to help people move forward and not be “stigmatised for past mistakes”.
Kenneth Kinsella, Clondalkin lad receiving his cap for playing on the 2018 World Cup team from Wesley Hoolahan
Kavanagh also noted the great success of recent Irish teams (men and women) who have reached three plate finals.
The Irish manager, former Blackburn Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic midfielder Thomas Morgan, is a Clondalkin native who has consistently steered the team to high rankings in the annual tournament.
The 2019 Homeless World Cup takes place in Cardiff from July 27 – August 3.
