Special Shelbourne FC XI meets Dublin Devils for annual Pride Cup

Shelbourne XI featuring current coaching staff and former players to celebrate LGBTQ+ inclusivity in football with fifth annual Pride Cup match against Dublin Devils. The match was hosted at Shelbourne’s Tolka Park on June 18^th, 2022.

Celebrating diversity and inclusivity, the Pride Cup game, an Official Event at Dublin Pride 2022, saw a Shelbourne XI team of former players and current staff including Mark Rutherford, Damien Duff, Joey O’Brien, David McAllister, Alan Quinn, Paul Skinner, Seana Cooke, Oscar Brennan and club members face off against Dublin Devils, Dublin’s largest LGBTQ+ football team.

The 2022 Pride Cup match was organized for the fifth time where the two teams have competed against each other. Due to the impact of Covid-19 restrictions in previous years, this year’s game would be the first Pride Cup match to be played in front of a crowd at Tolka Park since 2019.

Since the inaugural match against the Dublin Devils in 2017, the Pride Cup has grown in popularity. The game stands as a celebration of equality and diversity in football and represents the spirit of Pride Month and the Dublin Pride Festival.

The game follows the hugely successful hosting of the GFSN Cup on May 28 at Tolka Park where Village Manchester won the trophy which celebrates LGBTQ+ inclusivity in football after a penalties win over Dublin Devils.

Shelbourne FC Community Officer, John McGouran, said:

“We’re very excited to host the Pride Cup once more this year and hope that the event continues our push for inclusivity in football. The Reds Together Programme has built a brilliant network of people interested in extending the principles of inclusion in football throughout the Club and we would like to issue the message once more that everyone is welcome at Tolka Park and Shelbourne FC.“(…) “With more coverage recently around LGBT+ professionals in football, it is important that we build on these positive impacts and allow the game to be open to all. We can’t wait to welcome the Dublin Devils again to Tolka Park on Saturday and all who wish to attend.”
John McGouran,Shelbourne FC Community Officer

About Shelbourne FC

Founded in 1895, Shelbourne Football Club is a leading professional football club based in North Dublin. Shels, as commonly referred to, has won 13 League of Ireland titles along with 10 national cups. The Tolka Park side compete in both the SSE Airtricity League and FAI Women’s National League and has a thriving Academy based at the Athletic Union League in North Dublin with over 400 boys and girls.

About Dublin Devils FC

Formed in 2005, Dublin Devils F.C. is a LGBT+ and inclusive football club that welcomes anyone who loves football. Dublin Devils have grown into Dublin’s largest LGBT+ football club., and have become an outlet for both sporting and social events. Their driving goal is to promote equality of access to football, providing a place for players, coaches, and volunteers to enjoy themselves. They also offer a home and a sense of community for those wishing to participate in Dublin’s vibrant LGBT+ sports community.

“The Pride Cup is not only an annual reminder of the strong relationship which we have built with Shelbourne FC and of the on-going support which they have provide to both our Club and to Dublin’s LGBT+ community, but is also an important showcase to highlight how important LGBT+ inclusion in football in Ireland is.” (…)”This year with Jake Daniels taking the incredibly courageous step of becoming the first openly gay LGBT+ professional footballer since Justin Fashanu in the 1990s there is a real feeling of optimism that football is finally turning a corner when it comes to LGBT+ inclusion and we hope that this year’s Pride Cup can build on that feeling of optimism and inclusion. As a Club we are delighted to have the opportunity to take the field again against some of Shelbourne FC’s true legends and are looking forward to a great day in Tolka Park.”
John Coary, Dublin Devils chair

Fellow Dublin side Bohemian FC will participate as the first professional football club in the Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride parade.