The Champions League and Heineken Cup finals may have had all the attention last weekend, but the annual sports festival for adults with intellectual disabilities took pride of place in the hearts of everyone at Ballybough Community Centre.
On Friday 21 May participants from St Micheal’s House and St Vincent’s Centre for Special Needs competed in numerous events organised for the day.
But it was soccer outdoors on the all-weather pitch that was the firm favourite due to the glorious weather.
First up were the all important warm-up exercises – then some ball control and skills were taught to all the eager sportsmen and women. Putting them through their paces were FAI development officers Ian Hill from Lucan and Michael Moore from Balbriggan, who gave a truly professional feeling to the proceedings.
Come lunchtime the participants, 25 in all, sat down to a well-deserved break with tea, sandwiches and biscuits the order of the day. Then in the afternoon activities moved back indoors, where table tennis, pool and boccia were enjoyed by all.
In boccia, measured weight and accuracy were on display, with the jack regularly getting peppered by the participants’ leather balls.
The day concluded back outdoors on the all-weather pitch, where a full soccer match was planned.
Right from the start it was a match played with the full commitment of both sides. A few yellow cards were shown, but the game was played in the best of spirits throughout. The end result was a draw, which was a fair result for such an evenly contested match.
LJ McGinley, who works closely with disability groups and was chief co-ordinator for the event, spoke about the importance of the day for those who took part.
“I find disability groups out of all other groups have the least physical activity,” she said. “Their money tends to go on more important issues like their healthcare, their care workers and their education, so they don’t have the funds for events like this.”
She continued: “I really enjoy doing it and they love it. It is something different for them and it gets them involved in the community, and even by just being in the centre, it gives them a sense of inclusiveness.”
Also closely involved in running the day was Derek Farrell, north inner city co-ordinator for Rapid (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development).
“It is great to see this tournament, and that we have Rapid, a sports section and social inclusion unit in Dublin City Council,” he said.
“Social inclusion is about including everyone, and it’s great to see the same guys there every year. They have a great time and that’s what it is all about.”
