The Dundalk manager’s comments drew a resounding, positive reaction.
On Saturday night, and for the fifth time in six years, Stephen Kenny won PFAI Manager of the Year award.
The Dubliner was rightly recognised for helping Dundalk to the league and cup double. There was more for Dundalk to celebrate as Michael Duffy took home the Player of the Year accolade.
Kenny used the moment to highlight the ever-worsening homelessness crisis in our country. He touched on the fine work of Peter McVerry and those that get homeless people involved in football as part of an outreach effort.
Kenny noted that it was 17 years ago that Sean Kavanagh, from The Big Issue, contacted him about getting involved in the Homeless Street Leagues. “The work that Sean and all the volunteers do,” he said, “I’ve tremendous admiration for them.
“Homelessness is becoming a much bigger issue and there are, unfortunately, more participants [in the leagues] than ever. You talk about real heroes in society and you talk abour Fr. Peter McVerry and the work that he does… and he calls on the government to call this a national emergency.”
“If you’re homeless, what chance have you got?” he continued. “It used to be people with addictions or issues that were homeless, now it is families; normal families who can’t afford the rent. I think it is a massive, massive issue. The fact that it is not being treated as a national emergency is a big disappointment.”
Kenny went on to talk about the Homeless World Cup and the volunteers behind the scenes before saying, “But back to Dundalk.”
Well said by the Dundalk boss and a man who may one day yet manage his country.
