Toronto Irish Football Club:
A taste of the craic and competition
that only Irish sports teams can offer
By RAY CREEDON
TORONTO – Founded in late 2008 to enter the Canadian Multicultural Sports League, Toronto Irish is a soccer team dedicated to providing people from all four corners of the island of Ireland a place to play the sport, which is continuing its boom in the city.
Rejecting out of hand any notions of secularism or division, the club is modelled on the famous rugby side, London Irish.
The club’s mission is as clear off the pitch as it is on it; no race, religion or ethnic group is excluded and nobody stands to profit, with all fees and sponsorship going into making the club as competitive and thriving as possible. The club was born of a desire to leave any notions of division behind.
While some might see this as a dilution of the Irishness of the club, the founders were adamant that this was a 32 county and beyond team. The recognition that the Irish Diaspora is more than one religion, one nationality and one type of people is key to the team’s early success.
In their inaugural season in the CMSL the team performed admirably, just being edged out in a league playoff by league winners 2-0. A cup semi-final defeat meant that end of season silverware was denied, but in just a season, the team and club had laid down a marker for their intentions both on the field and off it.
This season, things have progressed in all ways. The team has moved to the TSSL Media Saturday Media Division and has added quality coaching to their already impressive credentials. At the time of writing this article, Toronto Irish stands at the top of Media B with 5 wins out of 5.
Graham Marjoribanks and Brendan Feeney, certified Scottish FA and Dutch FA coaches respectively, have brought training for 25 members to a level on par with, and above, the highest levels in Irish amateur football, not that the pair don't have their work cut out.
Further completing the Toronto Irish FC committee, working endlessly are club treasurer David Hosford and Secretary Darren Cartwright.
Led by Captain Ray Creedon and Vice Captain Tom Chitty, the team train twice a week, compiling players from Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Haiti, Chile and Britain. The playing style integrated by the coaching staff is that of the Irish combative spirit with the Dutch style of attacking attractive football.
But all of this progress does not come free and the club is actively seeking sponsorship. And while nobody is unaware of the massive strain many businesses are under, getting involved in Toronto Irish FC now is a unique chance to tap into the Irish community in the city, one that will only continue to grow as Ireland sees its highest emigration figures since the 80s.
At present, Toronto Irish FC is proud to have among its sponsors; Fox and Fiddle Bar at St. Clair and Yonge for our post match meals and drinks; Plaza Dental Centre on 40 King Street West where the team secure golden smiles ahead of team photos; The Ceili Cottage of 1301 Queen Street East where we have the support of the world’s fastest oyster chucker Patrick McMurray; and finally The Gold and Shamrock of 3011 Kingston Road who supply items, mementos and produce of Irish decent.
And when those who choose Toronto as their destination land in Pearson, they will know where their first port of call is for a taste of the craic, competition and closeness that only Irish sports teams can offer. For more info, please check out our website: torontoirishfootball.com.
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