“It’s the silver lining to a dark cloud”
|Image: Anita Milas
“Hearing the national anthem was amazing”
While many Homeless World Cup players have family and friends supporting them by watching the livestream, some players are fortunate to have a family member travel to the event to cheer them on.
That’s the case with Killian O’Carroll, whose father Paul has travelled from Ireland to cheer his son on from the stands.
The Homeless World Cup media team chatted with Killian and Paul after Ireland recorded its first win of the tournament.
When the national anthem played for Ireland’s first game, few were prouder that Killian was representing his country than his father Paul, who was supporting pitchside, an Irish flag draped around his shoulders.
“Hearing the national anthem was amazing,” Paul and Killian told us after the match. They also mentioned that meeting actor Colin Farrell, who dropped by to surprise the team.
Football has been the constant in Killian’s life. He started playing when he was eight years old and it was football that helped him through some prison time and his life beyond it. The 22-year-old, who was coincidentally born on St Patrick’s Day, gets a bank holiday for his birthday — something he described as “deadly.”
He got involved with Ireland’s street football programme and the camaraderie and support have helped him establish a new life. This includes having staff around him that include Graham Tucker, who played in the 2010 team in Rio de Janeiro and whose on - and off-pitch Homeless World Cup experience is invaluable.
“It keeps you occupied,” Killian says of football’s benefits.
“It’s the silver lining to a dark cloud,” Paul says, acknowledging that the past few years have been tough to watch Killian go through.
But Paul’s on-site roles haven’t been confined to cheering. Being one of the few family members in attendance comes with responsibilities, with Paul noting he’s been having to buy extra phone credit to keep other family and friends updated on how the team is progressing.
The team had a tough start to the tournament, facing the traditionally strong Ukraine and Portugal in their opening matches, before settling and finding their form, securing a win against newcomers Grenada.
Now Killian is working full time and focusing on his football. “I hope he gets a lot from it,” Paul says.
Find out more about our partner in Ireland, Irish Street Leagues