This seems like a really promising idea.
Philly McMahon grew up in Ballymun, one of the more disadvantaged parts of Dublin. He is now using his expertise to talk to young people who live in communities that are disproportionately exposed to high levels of deprivation, low educational attainment, high unemployment and high levels of drug use.
HalfTimeTalk is a charitable organisation that aims to engage, educate and empower the aforementioned young people. The 16-week programme is starting this Thursday, 22 February and is being hosted by Lord Mayor Mícheál MacDonncha at Dublin’s Mansion House.
Speaking about the event, McMahon said: “Everyone needs a half time talk to reflect on what has gone before and to put strategies and focus in place to do better in the second half. Losing my brother John in 2012 inspired me to go down a more positive pathway. John is my biggest role model and he is my motivation for setting up the charity. I believe that had HalfTimeTalk been in place when John was facing adversity, he might have gotten to play a better second half.”
Initially, HalfTimeTalk will be introduced in the Ballymun and Whitehall areas, with plans to expand over the coming years. Brian McCraith, who is the president of DCU, located in the Ballymun area, said that he is happy to endorse the event.
“I am delighted to support and endorse ‘HalfTimeTalk’,” McCraith said.
“It’s a wonderful example of a social enterprise that provides a pathway to success through training and experiential learning. While DCU is very proud of the sporting and career achievements of our Alumnus, for Philly we are even more proud of his work to empower those encountering disadvantage.”
For more information, visit www.halftimetalk.ie
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