In light of the tragic murder of Toyosi Shitabbey in Tyrellstown, the local FAI/Fingal Development officers, Blanchardstown Youth Service and Sporting Fingal FC recently organised a Cross-Community Mini World Cup Tournament to break down barriers between the different communities within Dublin 15. The tournament was run for young people from the ages 14-17 years.

Each area, over the past two weeks has run blitzes in Huntstown, Hartstown, Mulhuddart, Blakestown, Tyrellstown, Corduff, and Mountview under the watchful eye of their local Blanchardstown Youth Service Leaders. The top two teams from each area were entered into the Sporting Fingal Community Shield.

The finals day took place in Corduff Sports Centre.

Sporting Fingal Football Players came along on the day and acted as coaches for each of the teams.

The players shared some of their experiences with the young people involved and were on hand to encourage, motivate and coach each of their allotted teams.

After an exciting final, the winning team from Corduff Youth Project, coached by Sporting Fingal, midfielder, Kevin Dawnson was awarded the Sporting Fingal Community Shield, presented by the Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Ciaran Byrne.

Runners-up were the Orb Project Hartstown, Coached by Sporting Fingal Senior Coach, John Devine. Members of both the winning team and runners up received a Sporting Fingal football donated by the football club.

Martin Doyle, FAI Development officer for Fingal, said: “It’s great to see local young people from around Blanchardstown come together and play in a cross community tournament”.

"The aim of this tournament was to bring the different areas to one central location and play in a safe and fun environment. It was also great to see some of the Sporting Fingal Players interacting with the different teams. A big thanks to Youth Services who played a huge part of the organisation and running of the tournament” concluded Doyle.