A football scheme launched to help with the social inclusion and health of the Traveller community in Offaly has led to cup glory with the team lifting a first-ever league title.

St. Michael’s Athletic was formed thanks to a partnership between the FAI and the Offaly Traveller Movement (OTM) back in August 2021.St. Michael’s Athletic was formed thanks to a partnership between the FAI and the Offaly Traveller Movement (OTM) back in August 2021.

What began as weekly one-hour sessions to improve mental and physical health among the community grew to the participation of 26 men taking part in training session led by Frank Kavanagh of the OTM and FAI Football Development Officer Gary Seery.

That in itself was seen as a major accomplishment to bring many Traveller families together for the first time but it went from strength-to-strength with the group showing the potential to play competitive football.

Seven months after their first session, meetings were held with the Combined Counties Football league regarding the introduction of the team and after consultation among the players and the OTM the team name St. Michael’s Athletic was agreed.

After searching for a home venue, Frankford United in Kilcormac offered their venue as a home venue and St. Michael’s began their inaugural season in 2022.

With Frank Kavanagh and John Rattigan managing the team in addition to support from FAI Auxiliary Coach Daniel Butler, the team won the 2023/24 Third Division Plate with a 1-0 win over Clonmore Riverside FC -  John Ward scoring a 30-yard screamer to seal the cup.

Speaking about the scheme FAI Development Officer Gary Seery said: “The aim of the project was to engage men from the Traveller community, and to take part in a physical activity as young Traveller men often experience high discrimination, racism and social exclusion from different sports. 

“Football is the perfect sport to break down these barriers while improving both physical and mental health. In the Traveller community the rates of suicide are seven times higher than the rest of the population and it counts for 11 per cent of deaths in the Traveller community.

“Our initial thoughts were that it would be difficult to get men to engage, but as the weeks progressed, more and more men were attending on a weekly basis. So much so, that a second night was organized for the group to train and almost three years later they’ve played two seasons and won a trophy.”

Frank Kavanagh, team manager, said: “Since the start of the project we have seen the men grow in confidence and they have shown great desire and passion to be a part of this team. Because of the commitment and respect that Gary has shown all of the men and the time that he has given, the players have started to become ambassadors and role models within their community for soccer.

“This achievement cannot be underestimated as you have 26 men all from the Traveller community sharing the positive impact this has on their lives.

“It’s inspiring to hear what some have to say about the changes it made on them personally.  One young man, who suffers from depression but now has support from his teammates, said it gives him a reason to get up every day and be a part of something, another man has spoken quite openly about always feeling isolated from everyone but now feels he belongs to something. 

“These are just some of the different experiences that these men are getting from this programme and because of this, the team being formed by me and Gary with the help of the OTM and Offaly Sports Partnership can help put supports in place for any of the men that may need it.”