Ireland’s ladies won the Big Issue Cup while our men’s team reached the Q finals, beating Brazil along the way in the Homeless World Cup in Seoul, Korea, in 2024
By Shaun Anthony
What a great tournament for our ladies’ team! They brought home the Big Issue Cup at the Trophy Stage at the 2024 Homeless World Cup in South Korea. The Girls in Green beat the USA 5-2 in their Trophy Stage Final to cap off a fantastic tournament in style. They scored 42 goals across ten games overall.
After finishing fourth in last year’s tournament in Sacramento, United States, the Women’s Team went one better this time in Seoul by dominating in the early morning kick-off against the USA to win 5-2. The Men’s Team reached the Q finals of their competition, beating Brazil along the way. To put it in perspective, this is only the 4th time is 20 HWC tournaments that we have reached the Q final stage; such is the competitiveness of the tournament, and to do so with three of our players over the age of forty is a phenomenal achievement and speaks volumes for their fitness and preparation for the tournament.
Indeed, the coaches Mary Byrne (women) and Graham Tucker (men) must be congratulated for their ability to mould talented individuals into two teams who bonded together and were thoroughly prepared in mind and body for the task in hand. Irish Street League CEO Chris O’Brien, who has been with the two teams in South Korea, expressed his pride in seeing the players make the most of this experience. “I’d like to congratulate all the players, thank the coaching staff and volunteers who help the Irish Street Leagues stay operational, and everyone who has sent their messages of support. It has been a brilliant tournament and an unforgettable experience, but it’s only the beginning of a bright future for these amazing people.”
The two squads returned home to Dublin Airport to a well-deserved reception, greeted by family, friends, and supporters, and with plenty of news media coverage, they recorded the event. A final word to Street League founder and chairman Sean Kavanagh, who was among those greeting the teams at the Airport. ‘It’s all about building confidence and belief, each one everyone players have overcome many obstacles to get here. It’s been a difficult journey, but they set a goal for themselves, they gave it everything and they proved to us and more importantly themselves that life is not about the past, it’s about moving forward, dealing with the challenges, setting goals and above all believing in yourself.”
Looking on, one can see there is a special bond between these players, one you sense will be there for a lifetime, you get the feeling they will always be there for each other. The Street League motto is -A Ball can change a life- seeing and hearing what coming together on the field of sport has meant to these men and women – A ball can change a life – is an accurate description. IHSL (Irish Homeless Street Leagues) would like to thank all those who supported and continue to support the leagues. Without that support, none of it would be possible.
2024 Homeless World Cup Squads
Women’s Team: Nicola Duffy, Niamh Ryan, Siobhan Kennedy, Abby Skelly, Alison Ryan, Hayleigh Power, Jade Clohessy. Coach Mary Byrne
Men’s Team: Alan Grace, Brendan Taylor, Noel Gleeson, Graham Mellon, William Rafter, Jamie Wilson, Dylan Skeen. Coach Graham Tucker
