Bohemian Foundation scores with community

FOOTBALL clubs are at the heart of local communities all over Ireland but few could be making a real impact more than Bohemian FC.

For several years now a small group of club officials and volunteers have been working quietly, tirelessly and without much publicity to improve the quality of life for Northsiders living around Dalymount Park and surrounding neighbourhoods.

They’re part of the Bohemian Foundation, started by club director Tommy Hynes, and it’s set to be an integral part of the club’s new future and partnership with Dublin City Council.

The council bought Dalymount Park for

?¬3.8 million last month and has big plans for the historic stadium, which it wants opened up more for public use.

This ties in nicely with what the Foundation already does and its work has massive potential benefits for both Bohs and the local community.

Recent events organised by the Foundation include inviting the Irish Special Olympics soccer squad to Dalymount for a pre-match VIP tour, organising half-time games at the ground on match days for local soccer clubs and helping inmates at Mountjoy Prison give something back to the community.

Most of the work is spearheaded by Hynes, who’s as passionate about what the Foundation does as he is about Bohs.

“I’m doing it basically because I have a love for the community and the good work the Foundation does isn’t diminished just because Bohs are getting a benefit out of it,

? he says.

On July 17, Bohs played a thrilling televised game against Sligo Rovers, holding out for a 1-0 win with ten men. Before the kick-off Team Ireland’s Special Olympic 11-a-side and 5-a-side football squads who are now competing in the LA games were given a great send-off by Bohs fans.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Críona Ní Dhálaigh led the crowd in applauding the Team Ireland players and afterwards joined them for a meal provided by prisoners from Mountjoy.

The mayor heard the Foundation was helping the prisoners prepare a meal for local
senior citizens a few days later and asked if she could tag
along.

“The prisoners are working towards getting Gaisce awards and as part of that they wanted to make a meal for senior citizens,

? explains Haynes.

“We help them do this every so often as part of our work with Mountjoy. The seniors are from areas like Phibsboro, Cabra, Ballymun and Finglas and the mayor actually got to meet some old neighbours as she grew up around the Aughrim Street area.

?

Obviously, being locked up is no laughing matter, but Hynes also recently helped organise comedy workshops in Mountjoy during which five prisoners developed stand-up routines.

Led by John Colleary from Savage Eye, top comedians including PJ Gallagher and Willa White helped the prisoners polish their acts before they took to the stage to preform in front of invited guests.

“They were all great on the night, absolutely fantastic,

? says Hynes.

“At the end of the night everybody got up on stage and sang Oasis

‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’. It was outrageous.

?

Hynes and the Foundation have big plans for the coming weeks and months. First team Bohs players will visit local schools to help beat Ireland’s obesity crisis by spreading a healthy living message.

“The pupils will hear first hand from a Bohs player about what he eats, how he keeps fit and what exercise he does,

? Hynes explains.

“Bohs then invite the school to bring 30 or 40 pupils down for the next home game so they get to see the player in action. In that way, you’re also introducing Bohs to the youngsters and it helps get our name out there.

?

The work done by Bohemian Foundation is a real win-win job. New fans mean more bums on seats at Dalymount.

“An extra 100 people at a match is

?¬1,500,

? Hynes calculates.

“For ten games that’s

?¬15,000 so we hope to get that spin-off as well and we’re getting good publicity around it now.

?