Soccer with a difference

TEAM EFFORT Members of the Old Convent, Ballyhaunis, team at the Intercultural Soccer Tournament held at Milebush last weekend. Pic: Michael McLaughlin

Soccer with a difference

Olof Gill

A different type of sports event took place in Castlebar last weekend, when an intercultural soccer tournament was held at Milebush Park. The Travellers for Travellers group, in partnership with An Garda Síochána, Mayo Intercultural Action group and the FAI, held their second annual event on Sunday last.
At last year’s inaugural tournament, spectators saw a thrilling match, where eleven members of the travelling community pitched their skills against the Gardaí of Mayo. Following a 2-2 draw, the Gardaí proved victorious after a penalty shoot-out.
This year, the event was extended to four teams: the travellers, gardaí, migrant workers and refugees and asylum seekers.
The event has evolved from the annual national intercultural week, which aims to promote the positive effects of interculturalism in Irish society. This tournament is a celebration and recognition of the many different cultures in Mayo.
The tournament was played using a ‘round robin’ system, and an exciting day’s soccer was concluded when the team representing the travelling community, Pavee United, drew with the Gardaí in their final game, winning the tournament on goal difference.
Bernard Sweeney, a representative of Travellers for Travellers, told The Mayo News that the event was a ‘huge success’ and that the ‘lads are thrilled to have won the shield’. “This event is a celebration of interculturalism and diversity in Mayo, and there’s no better way to develop this type of interaction than around sport.”
Sergeant Tony Cosgrove, Community Relations Officer, also hailed the event as a success, and described it as a ‘recognition of the diverse cultures in Mayo today’.
The presentations were made by Cllr Gerry Coyle, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Garda Superintendent Ray Brennan, Castlebar and Mr David Joyce, traveller and barrister-at-law.
The event was sponsored by Mayo VEC, the FAI, Mayo Sports Partnership and Mayo Traveller Support Group, who provided transport.