AN impressive Homeless World Cup for both Irish teams ended with a trophy for the Republic.
More than 500 players from 52 countries took part in the men's and women's four-a-side competitions in Glasgow's George Square.
Matches concluded on Saturday, with Northern Ireland's men recording their highest ever finish of 13th, while the Republic placed 9th and won the Plate final.
When the two sides met on Friday the southern side squeezed through on penalties after an eight-goal thriller, hailed as one of the games of the tournament.
The north's team emerged from the Street Soccer NI project, founded with the East Belfast Mission, which has received more than £70,000 from the Housing Executive.
Street Soccer co-founder Aidan Byrne said: "It's a massive journey that they have been on, a once in a lifetime opportunity.
"They're now really motivated to go on and change their lives, they're looking to get their own houses and get into work."
The Republic's side held their nerve in Saturday's Plate final to defeat Egypt on penalties and ensure they ended the tournament without losing a single game in normal time.
"It's great that the lads get to go home with something for their efforts. It is sure to give them a huge lift and I hope that they can take the positives from this into their lives and go in the right direction, " said coach Thomas Morgan.
Mexico were the overall winners in both the men's and women's competitions.
