Manchester United football legend comes to the home of Sligo Rovers

Rio Ferdinand was present at Sligo Rovers home-ground, The Showgrounds, for a cross-boarder celebratory event between the Rio Ferdinand Foundation and International Fund for Ireland.

The event hosted by Sligo Rovers name 'Beyond the Ball' aims to connect young people and promote cross-community reconciliation through sport. The event focused on brining together southern border counties and those in Northern Ireland.

The partnership is funded through the International fund for Ireland's Communities in Partnership Programme with young people across the counties of Fermanagh, Derry, Tyrone, Antrim, Sligo, Louth, Leitrim and Donegal.

Paddy Harte, Chair of the International Fund for Ireland had this to say on the partnership : " “Sport undoubtedly has the power to bring people and communities together. It can transform people’s lives, broadening their horizons and providing opportunities to develop friendships that they would not otherwise have been able to do."

“Sport makes it possible to have friends in even the most difficult times, and particularly for young people who get the chance to develop friendships across social and economic divides."

“The Rio Ferdinand Foundation has developed an important footprint across the island of Ireland, engaging with young people through sport, music, and art. The work of the Foundation aligns closely with the values of the IFI, facilitating opportunities to put young people at the heart of their communities and their future prosperity.”