Street Soccer Finals hope to transform lives
By Maurice Garvey
DREAMS of representing Ireland in a World Cup were evident at the All-Ireland Street Soccer finals, at the Postal Club, Tallaght, on Wednesday.
Up to 24 teams from throughout the country participated in the 5-a-side Irish Homeless Street Leagues tournament.
Among those in attendance were members of the FAI, South Dublin Mayor Sarah Holland, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs James Reilly, Father Peter McVerry, and Shamrock Rovers manager Pat Fenlon.
Ireland’s Big Issue editor and Clondalkin resident Sean Kavanagh – the Street League and Homeless World cup team founder, thanked everyone for ensuring the day was a success.
Sean said: “The day offers a unique opportunity to meet and talk to lads from all corners of Ireland, who for one reason or other, have experienced difficult times and are now striving to win a trophy, and be in with a chance to represent Ireland in the Homeless World Cup.”
The event will be used to select a team to represent Ireland in the 2016 Homeless World Cup, in Glasgow, Scotland, July 9-17.
Irish Street League uses sport to transform the lives of individuals who have encountered difficulties and fallen on hard times.
The league also run programmes in Wheatfield and Mountjoy prisons.
Actor Colin Farrell was in Amsterdam to support the team last year, and revealed he’s hoping to make a movie about the Irish homeless football team.
The Irish team require sponsorship to send a side to the World Cup – Sean Kavanagh can be contacted at 8735137 or info@irelandsissuesmagazine.com
