GOAL's Sporting Patrons

Since the inception of GOAL, stars from the world of sport have been unfailingly generous with their time, energy and public profile to highlight the plight of the poorest of the poor and the work that GOAL is doing to help them.

A short time ago, the 2010 U.S. Open golf champion, Graeme McDowell agreed to become the latest GOAL Patron. Graeme said he was delighted to be associated with the organisation and added: "Like the other sporting patrons that GOAL has I acknowledge the great work that the volunteers continue to do in some of the poorest countries in the world.”

Numerous other well-known sports men and women from all over the world have added their support to GOAL over the years, all of whom are listed below.

Many of these have made time in their busy schedules to visit some of GOAL's projects in the developing world, including Irish, Lions and Leinster rugby ace, Gordon D'Arcy, who travelled to Kolkata (Calcutta) with GOAL to see the work that the organisation is doing with some of the poorest people in the Indian city. On his return, Gordon commented: "I think once you become involved with a charity like GOAL and see what's being done, you just want to know 'what next'. Everything GOAL does in Calcutta and its surrounds is inspirational."

When the well-known sports presenter Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh visited GOAL’s projects in Kolkata, he was moved by the spirit of the people and saw what a difference the work of GOAL made to their lives. Seeing first hand how much can be achieved for so little, Ó Muircheartaigh commented:
" You can really see where your donations are going here. It makes you realise what a difference even a small amount can make. While there is unbelievable poverty, there is also progress when you see how many street children are helped by GOAL."

Former Kilkenny hurling star, DJ Carey is a long time supporter of GOAL’s work and has also spent time in Kolkata, where he was profoundly moved by the plight of the children in GOAL’s schools, night shelters and drop-in centres. Carey said on his return:
" The difference that GOAL makes to the lives of the thousands of street children in their various projects is incredible. They are literally being rescued from lives of squalor and being given a chance of life."

Apart from those listed above and below, former world number one tennis player Mats Wilander is President of GOAL USA, while former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash is President of GOAL UK.

Some of our other distinguished patrons include: Ken Doherty, Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Wood, Sonia O’Sullivan, John McEnroe, Andy Murray, Kenneth Egan, Luke Fitzgerald, Sean Cavanagh, Paddy Barnes, Niall Quinn, Peter Canavan, Padraig Harrington, Victor Costello, Andy Reid, John O’Shea, Seán Óg Ó Hailpín, Brian Kerr, Maurice Fitzgerald, Roy Keane, Hugo MacNeill, Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche, Peter Fleming, Shane Byrne, Eamonn Coghlan, Catherina McKiernan, Joe Connolly, Eddie Jordan, Seamus Moynihan, Michael Carruth, Sean Boylan, Charlie Swan, Brian Whelahan, Ronnie Delany, Kevin Moran, Yannick Noah, Fergus Slattery, Paul McGrath, Frank O’Meara, Ray McLoughlin, Anthony Molloy, Steve Scott, Eddie Keher, Brian Corcoran, Michael 'Babs' Keating, Barry McGuigan, Dr Jack Kyle, Liam Tuohy, Jack Charlton, Matt Doyle, Barry John, Tony Ward, Denis Irwin, Darren Clarke, John Treacy, Gary O'Toole, Marcus O’Sullivan, Des Smyth, Steve Collins, Claire Hourihane, Brian McEniff, Niall O’Toole, Moss Keane, Joakim Nystrom, Paul McGinley, Steve Cram, David O'Leary, Sean Sorenson, Liam Griffin, Brian Cody, Gillian O’Sullivan and Kieran McDonald.