Dublin clubs Bohemians and Shelbourne have both announced initiatives ahead of Dublin Pride - with both sides hosting tournaments in the run-up to the festival.
Bohs on Monday said that their new partnership with Dublin Devils would reaffirm both clubs’ position as being LGBTQ+ inclusive.
They also launched the first Pride of Dalymount Cup, taking place on June 10 when a Bohemians legends and fans XI will play the Dublin Devils at Dalymount Park.
Bohs COO Daniel Lambert said: “We are delighted to partner with the Dublin Devils and reaffirm our position of being an LGBTQ+ inclusive club.
“We see this as another important step in the struggle to tackle homophobia and transphobia head-on.
“As well as our primary purpose of operating a football club with over 50 teams of all types, we have engaged with huge numbers of people through our diverse range of programmes to ensure that we are a force for good.
“This partnership builds into our five-year Football Social Responsibility strategy launched this year in the Mansion House.
“Dublin Bus, our diversity and inclusion partners, enable us to build on much work already undertaken and we would like to once again thank them for their support in this area.
“We do not shy away from the fact that football generally has a long way to go in being a truly hospitable place for the LGBTQ+ community.
“This new partnership with the Devils, our existing partnership with ShoutOut and our participation in the Pride parade with GayBohs are all actions geared towards bringing football where it needs to be. Football and Bohs are for all.”
Shels, meanwhile, have announced the launch of the Shelbourne FC Pride Cup, an annual tournament celebrating diversity in our community and in Irish football.
This year’s event, called ‘5 a-side for Pride’, will take place at Tolka Park on Saturday, June 17 2023 from 2pm to 5pm.
The Pride Cup 2023 is a 5-a-side tournament that will bring together 16 teams, consisting of Shelbourne legends, senior men and women, as well as talented Ireland internationals, clubs and groups from the local community and more.
A new Shelbourne Pride Party will also form part of the club’s expanded Pride Festival events, with a night time event taking place at the Tolka Park Bar on June 9.
Shels will also be marching in the Dublin Pride Parade this year on Saturday June 24.
And the club will also launch a limited edition Rainbow Reds t-shirt with all proceeds going to support a Dublin based LGBT+ charity.
Anyone wishing to take part in the Shelbourne FC Pride Cup should contact john.mcgouran@shelbournefc.ie.
Teams, which can be made up of clubs, friends or work colleagues, can register for a €50 fee.
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