Football fever in Limerick
This summer’s football fever erupted in Limerick on 19 June, as Jesuit Refugee Service Ireland marked the occasion of World Refugee Day (20 June) with an 11-a-side football tournament for teams from four Direct Provision Centres for asylum seekers in the Limerick region. Over fifty asylum seekers participated in this competition, the inaugural Crescent Pedro Arrupe Cup, in the grounds of the Crescent Comprehensive in Dooradoyle. There were teams from Mount Trenchard (Foynes), Westbourne (Dock Rd), Hanratty’s (Glentworth Street) and Knockalisheen; and ultimately Knockalisheen emerged victorious. The JRS Ireland director, Eugene Quinn, used the occasion to call for a review of the Government’s policy of Direct Provision, drawing attention to well-documented concerns that this system may lead to institutionalisation and social isolation. See the YouTube video of the event, taken by Liam O’Connell SJ.