Teams representing various groups from all over the country competed in this year’s tournament with a view to impressing international scouts ahead of the Homeless World Cup which takes place in Australia from 1st to the 7th December.

The tournament, organised by Ireland’s Issues magazine and affiliated to the FAI through the Football for All programme, was a perfect opportunity for coaches to monitor those eligible to play for Ireland in the Homeless World Cup. A number of players were shortlisted and will be called up for specialised training sessions before a final selection is made.

To compete in the Homeless World Cup, a player must be male or female and at least 18 years of age at the time of the tournament, have been homeless at some point after the previous year's World Cup or make their main living income as a street paper vendor. Asylum seekers who have neither positive asylum status nor working permit can also participate.

Dan Carey, Manager of the Street League said, “For me the All Ireland Street Soccer Finals 2008 was a source of sporting excitement and the performance and dedication of the players and their team organisers was nothing short of inspirational.

It was all made possible by the support and generosity of the Street League partners and sponsors, who deserve our full acknowledgement and gratitude, our principal partner is the FAI and our principal sponsor is Start Mortgages, not forgetting Lifestyle Sports, Dublin City Council, the Irish Prison Service and a big thank you to South Dublin County Council for providing the marquee.

Most of all, full credit to the players, each and everyone of them was great and the eligible participants for the Homeless World Cup in Melbourne, next December, sure gave the squad selectors some difficult decisions to make, so high was the standard of play.

It would be remiss of me not to sincerely thank, on behalf of all concerned, Mr.Sean Kavanagh, Irelands Issues Magazine proprietor and founder of the Street Leagues, whose vision in years gone by brought about the first street league and Homeless World Cup team.''

The Irish have done well in previous Homeless World Cups, ranking 5th in 2005, 13th in 2003 and 17th in 2006 and 2004. This year they will be looking to improve on last year’s performance in Copenhagen where they were ranked 30th.

Winners
The Warriors (Cabra)

Runners Up
Limerick Southside Sports Academy

Fair Play Trophy
Kilree Lodge, Limerick

Player of the tournament
Jimmy Bell, the Warriors, Cabra

Top Goal Scorer
Rodge Keily - The Warriors Cabra (9 goals)

Clondalkin Street League Player of the year
Shane Egan Liscairn

Ballyfermot Street League player of the year
Mark Lawler

Wheatfield Player of the year
Philip Leonard

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