Integration through football on Boyneside

The ‘Le Cheile Cup’, as the name suggests as gaeilge is a Soccer Tournament dedicated to bringing people together regardless of culture, religion and social or political background.The first ‘Le Cheile Cup’, 7-A-Side SoccerTournament was held in March 2007, to celebrate Intercultural Week and to promote Intercultural Awareness, Anti Racism in Sport and increase participation of Sport for all in the Community regardless of ability, culture, religion and social or political background. Following the success of the first ‘Le Cheile Cup’, held at St. Feichins GFC, with 8 teams involved, there was a consensus to make the event an annual Tournament and to proceed to organise it as a County Event.The ‘Le Cheile Cup’ Tournament is a non profit event and it’s goal is to Promote Intercultural Awareness and Anti-Racism, Increase Sport Participation of Ethnic Minorities in communities, Address the issue of integration and the social, political and cultural inclusion of ethnic minority groups by providing an annual sporting initiative, to develop this event on a County Level which will build and promote the inclusion of ethnic minorities and ethnic minority groups all over Co. Louth and encourage and enable them to work with established groups and organisations towards achieving healthy and safe communities with no barriers.This year’s ‘Le Cheile Cup’, was held at Moneymore Playing Fields on Sunday June 1st and there were 14 teams involved from Drogheda, Ardee and Dundalk, with participants ranging in age from 8 years to 14 years. Louth County Councillor, Immela Munster has been in full support of the initiative from it’s early stages and was on hand to present the ‘Le Cheile Cup’ to Moneymore Football Club Chairperson Frank Thornton and very close Runners Up were Eagles Wings YC. Gordon Hatch of the Drogheda Leader attended to present the the ‘Le Cheile Cup’, U-10’s Round Robin to Glenmuir United and Youth Work Ireland (Louth) Director Kevin Matthews who was highly involved with last year’s event, presented Ardee Celtic with their medals for being Close Runners Up.A spokesperson for the event commented ‘This event is an initiative that will encourage to break down barriers and promote sport in Co. Louth for all cultures, the success of today’s event is surely owed to the hard work and relentless efforts made by MFC Frank Thornton and Stephen Ojo of Eagles Wings YC and they need to be thanked immensely for their selfless contributions. Also a special thanks to Boyne Og Sports Solutions who volunteered their services to co-ordinate the event and handled all the administration. Terry Boylan, Kennedy Motor Cycles, Image Business Centre, MFC and Stephen Ojo sponsored the Cups, medals and Trophies.’Boyne Og Sports Solutions Ltd.- The TeamEmail: boyneogss.team@hotmail.co.ukTel: 00353-(0)41-9834831…Mob: (086) 0456984Url: http://boyneogss.myblogsite.com/