Recent Irish immigrants vital to local World Cup team
They’ve come to Saskatoon to work from all walks of life, ranging from contractors to geologists.
And they can play a little footy, too.
The Irish team hopes that combination continues to be a winning one at the Saskatoon World Cup soccer tournament this weekend.
They are the defending champions.
“We’ve had lots of Irish immigrants,” team captain Sam Martin said. “Six or seven of the fellas have just landed recently, within the last three to four years.”
The local World Cup pits 28 men’s teams against each other, beginning Friday at the SaskTel Sports Centre.
Players must have their heritage traced back to at least a grandparent in order to suit up for a specific national team.
For those like Andy Doyle, ancestry isn’t a problem.
He moved to Saskatoon in 2011 and quickly found the perfect job for an environmental construction company, specializing in water waste and treatment.
“I always wanted to come to Canada and heard work was pretty plentiful over here as well,” Doyle, a 33-year-old centre halfback, said. “It worked out.”
The Irish Times reported in 2012 that Saskatchewan was becoming a destination for Irish immigrants.
The Times article indicated that within five years between 75,000 and 90,000 skilled workers would be required to fill a labour shortage in the province, notably in the technology, construction, mineral exploration, agriculture and petroleum sectors.
Martin, a second-generation Canadian, has seen a noticeable uptick in those of Irish descent coming to work in the city and province.
Social events with new arrivals are often planned on the Irish in Saskatoon Facebook group page, which has almost 1,100 members.
“There seems to be a new person every week arriving,” Martin said.
Doyle actually followed his childhood friend Jon Lawlor to Saskatoon.
Lawlor spent a year in Australia, but moved to Saskatoon four years ago when he decided it was too hot Down Under to pursue work full time.
He has since been working as a general contractor in the city.
“I like the people. The lifestyle is really good,” said the 34-year-old, originally from Kilkenny, who now rooms with Doyle.
“The soccer facilities in the city, I think, are excellent. It’s really nice to play so much soccer, especially in the winter months.”
Both Doyle and Lawlor played competitive soccer in Ireland until their late teenage years.
They now play in adult leagues in Saskatoon.
Along with Martin — whose father, Sam Sr., serves as one of the Irish team’s coaches — Doyle and Lawlor keep an eye out for those with Irish backgrounds that can be added to their 22-man World Cup team.
They had to replace five members off last year’s winning outfit and believe they have plenty of reserves if they need to find new recruits in years to come.
“There’s a good Irish community starting to grow,” Doyle said.
“We know all the players from Ireland that are here,” Lawlor added.
“Through those avenues we basically know the players that are going to fill the spots, be they Irish or Canadian Irish.”
Martin said the Irish will celebrate at the pub with a few beverages after the tournament whether they win or lose on the pitch.
However, they do plan on defending their title.
Martin believes their team was successful last year because they had two strong lines of players.
Nine men, including a keeper, play at a time. Tourney rules permit changing on the fly.
“I definitely think we’re the team to beat,” Lawlor said. “Last year nobody expected it from us. I think the squad we have together (this year) is just as strong as the other squads.”