In what was an incredible days football, teams representing Street Leagues from Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Longford. Waterford, Athlone and Carlow numbering 28 in total came together at the Clondalkin Community Sports and Leisure centre for a festival of football, which saw Millennium from St Catherine’s league in Dublin qualify to meet  Whadd (Ballyfermot league Dublin) in the Final.

In a hard fought and competitive final Whadd came out with all guns blazing and sought that early goal that would have given them the perfect start. It was the experienced Millennium team however who took the lead. With the Coleman brothers slowing the game down to a comfortable pace it allowed Steven O’ Hanlon the room and time to edge them into the lead. Despite this setback  Whadd continued to threaten and but for some magnificent goalkeeping by Thomas Cullen in the millennium goal they surely would have equalized instead it was Millennium who stretched their lead catching an overstretched Whad on the break. In the second half Stephen O’ Hanlon put Millennium three in front before Whadd scored a consolation goal that their play fully deserved.
However it was not to be their day and when the final whistle blew Millennium were worthy winners of the 2009 Big Issue Cup.

In all over 280 players took part in an excellent days football. Regardless of who won the trophy each individual player had something to play for with World Cup places for the 2009 Homeless World Cup in Milan Italy at stake.
The street league selection team had a good look at all the players and will be selecting a panel shortly, from which the team representing Ireland at the finals will be chosen.

As is customary the leagues individual prizewinners were also announced with FAI CEO John Delaney presenting the trophies to the worthy winners.

Sean Kavanagh Founder and Chairman of the Street soccer leagues was delighted with the tournament.
“ Today we saw what football is all about. Skill, commitment and sportsmanship, there were no prima donnas out there just honest lads who have overcome adversity and love the game. Our selectors will have a difficult task choosing a side to represent Ireland in the Homeless World Cup in Italy in September but you can be sure, whoever is chosen will give it their all”

List of Winners

Winners of the Big Issue National Street League Tournament 2009

Millennium (St Catherine’s League Dublin)

Runners Up
Whadd (Ballyfermot Street league, Dublin)

Player of the Tournament Steven O’Hanlon (Millennium Dublin)

Top Goal scorer David Tyrell ( Cabra)

Goalkeeper of the Tournament Darren Maloney  (Carlow)

Fairplay team of the Tournament The Bitchers (Limerick)

Players selected from within the leagues as their player of the year

Athlone league Anthony Fitzsimons

Ballyfermot League Dean Dunne

Cabra League Gary Cunniam

Clondalkin League Glenn Dalton

Cork League Daniel O Herlihy

Galway League Frank Oduwa

Limerick League Dean O Donohue

Longford League Martin Nervine

St Catherine’s League Jason O Reilly

Wheatfield League John Paul Moore

 

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