Ireland’ soccer manager Giovanni Trappatoni has launched the inaugural Continental Tyres Penalty Shoot Out in aid of Ireland’s Homeless World Cup team. This unique event will see teams from all across Ireland take part in a penalty competition with the aim of raising funds for Ireland’s participation in the Homeless World Cup in Paris in August.
“As a FIFA World Cup sponsor, Continental Tyres is interested in reaching the broadest swathe of football fans, from the armchair fanatic through to the enthusiast,” says Paddy Murphy of Continental Tyres. “This initiative has this broad appeal, and the cause is a very worthy one.”
Sean Kavanagh, founder of the Big Issues Irish Street Leagues and Ireland’s Homeless World Cup said, “We are delighted with the support of Continental Tyres for the Penalty Shoot Out. In these difficult times, it is a great boost for the very valuable Homeless Street League programme.”
Teams of all genders, ages (18 plus ) and abilities are invited to partake in the Penalty Shoot Out regional competitions taking place at eight venues on Good Friday, April 22, with regional winners emerging to contest the Final at a prestigious Dublin football venue on May 2.
The venues for the regional competitions are as follows: Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Wexford, Dundalk, Sligo, Monaghan, Carlow, Athlone, and Belfast. The winning team will win a trip to the Europa Final in May with a two-night stay in Dublin.
Teams will compete against each other to qualify from group stages, and then progress to the quarter finals, semi finals, and final.
Entry costs €100 for a team of six, with all proceeds going to Ireland’s Homeless World Cup team. By finishing sixth in last year’s World Cup in Brazil, Ireland has secured a top seeding for this year’s tournament.
