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Homeless World Cup reunites west Belfast player with mother

Gerard Bannon (24) has contacted his mother for the first time in a year and a half after representing Northern Ireland in the Homeless World Cup. Picture by East Belfast Mission/Press Association
Gerard Bannon (24) has contacted his mother for the first time in a year and a half after representing Northern Ireland in the Homeless World Cup. Picture by East Belfast Mission/Press Association Gerard Bannon (24) has contacted his mother for the first time in a year and a half after representing Northern Ireland in the Homeless World Cup. Picture by East Belfast Mission/Press Association

A WEST Belfast man has told how he been in contact with his mother for the first time in a year and a half after taking part in the Homeless World Cup.

Gerard Bannon (24), from the Falls Road, starred for Northern Ireland in the tournament played in front of more than 100,000 people in Glasgow.

He said: "When I became homeless I knew that football helped my mental health issues and control my anger and ever since I have been doing stuff like that and I am representing my country now.

"It has also helped my mum get back into contact with me and know that I have changed.

"This is going to be the first time we have spoken in a year and a half and she has invited me down to see her, down over the border.

"It has helped me get my self-confidence back."

Mr Bannon lives in the Ormeau Centre hostel in Belfast but hopes to get his own flat soon.

He would like to work night shifts in warehouses and has recently gained a forklift truck driving licence.

But for now football is the only thing on his mind.

The Northern Ireland men's side achieved a best ever 13th place of almost 50 teams at the competition and have also been a success story off the pitch.

In an act of generosity the players donated kit and clothing to the South African team to take home.

"The South African team was coming from situations of really extreme poverty and our guys noticed they were all wearing second hand clothes with holes in them, said Aidan Byrne, co-founder of Street Soccer NI which started up the team.

"It was an eye-opener for them about how much they actually have so they organised a whip around."

From last year's Northern Ireland team of eight players and one ex-player volunteer coach, seven now have homes and five have full time work.

Brendan Kingsmore (27), a former captain of the team turned coach, said he could see a positive change in every one of the players this year.

"It is life-changing, they are more confident and there is more togetherness," he said.

"Some of them have issues with confidence and interacting with others but everyone has been together and motivating each other.

"It is amazing and great to see, something I thought I would never see."