Jumpers for Goalposts Blog

Keith Kelly and Michael Nolan discuss Jumpers for Goalposts' plan to hold a game of football in every country in Ireland on June 13 to mark Men's Health Week. The first game of the new year took place in Ballybrack, Dublin on Saturday 25th January with author Paul Howard and Irish internationals Richie Sadlier and Keith Fahey among the attendees. Keith also used the opportunity of the first match to announce Suicide or Survive as our charity partner for the June event. You can learn more about the work of Suicide or Survive by clicking here. If you would like organise a game in your community on June 13th drop a message to keith@jumpersforgoalposts.ie

We brought together some footballing legends from the Dún Laoghaire area to pick their fantasy eleven team of players from the Borough from decades past. Have a watch and listen to what team Richie McIntyre, George Forsyth, Peter O'Brien and Seán Sheehy pick. Do you agree?

In part two of two part interview with www.JumpersforGoalposts.ie former professional footballer, Richie Sadlier, talks about a career ending injury and the depression and turmoil that followed before finding a path to recovery.

Just before launching his new book, Recovering , former professional footballer and now soccer pundit, Richie Sadlier joined us for a game of #JumpersForGoalposts in Ballybrack. Afterwards he took time out to talk to us about his life. He recalls growing up in South Dublin, his passion for football from a young age, becoming a professional footballer and his dreams of playing for Ireland. He talks frankly about his career ending injury while at Millwall FC and the personal torment it caused him and the downward spiral his life took afterwards, before finally reaching out for help. This is an honest and engaging account of one mans battle to navigate and manage the highs and dark lows that life can throw at us all. [This is a two-part interview - make sure to check out Episode 2 as well]

Former Millwall FC stalwart and Ireland underage star Robbie Ryan from Dublin talks to J4G about growing up in Ballybrack, honing his footballing skills on the street and moving to England at the young age of 17 to play professionally. He recounts his experiences in the 1997 Youth World Cup in Malaysia and taking on Cristiano Ronaldo in the 2004 FA Cup Final. He tells us what he thinks of Jumpers for Goalposts and explains that there is life after football. Interview by Keith Kelly Camera and Audio by Michael Nolan (DigitalDub.ie)

Dear Keith,

 Greetings from Canada from a 70 year old Dub! You should be so, so proud of yourself. If I was in Ireland, I think I might be joining you in Ballybrack. 

You see, I have had a gammy leg since I was 5 years old. I could never play on a real team...so I played 'between the jumpers'. In my mind, I was the greatest goalkeeper of all time (my hero was Lev Yashin!). 

Our street was Oriel Street and our park was Fairview. I'd be a millionaire now if I got a tanner for all the shots I stopped. I developed a skill of making guys shoot to my left, the only way I could dive. They never seemed to cop on. I was on the ground before they even shot - feint right, dive left! I thought I was unbeatable! - 

Sadly, I soon discovered I couldn't stop a snail on a real pitch. And so, 'between the jumpers', or coats, or schoolbags, or even shoes is all I have to remember. But my memories bring me as much joy as those of my friend Paddy Cullen for all his glory! Coming home from Fairview, we would pass the flats on the North Strand. 

As long as it was light there would be men and boys playing ferocious games of ball on the concrete square between the buildings and then some eegit in the Corpo got the idea of putting swings on the square and that was that! 

Later, at about 40 I moved to a house in Corbawn Wood in Shankill and within weeks, I had a weekly 'between the jumpers' game on the green space for middle-aged men. I wonder if these now old men remember. 

I wasn't moving as fast then and the technique was fading. But again it was joy. I was an old Lev Yashin! But it died out and I moved on.

 But I have my memories. As I sit here looking out at the setting sun in Ottawa, your story brings tears of joy to my eyes. People like you make being Irish really special - no, 'being human really special'. I've a good mind to take the walking stick and a ball to the grass behind my house.

 May you live long and live happily Keith!

 John P Kelly (proud Irish man) Photo of Ottawa sunset from www.wildhere.ca

"What sort of shite is that Kathleen?" he asks. "Jumpers for goalposts? Get the young fellas in to raid the building sites for a few planks. And get aul fishing nets and the few planks."