In the Irish gulags abusers roamed free because children didn’t matter

I DROVE to Clonmel on Sunday for the finals of an under-nines and under-10s football tournament. It was organised by Clonmel FC and brought together young footballers from the six Munster counties. They (and the rest of us) had a brilliant afternoon and we were made to feel really welcome by the Clonmel team.

“Kids for kids” is the slogan of this invitational tournament, and it raises money for the work we do in Barnardos. It’s a great idea that, isn’t it – kids enjoying their sport, really having a go at competition, learning a bit about themselves in the process and raising a few bob for other kids along the way.

All the clubs that took part have wonderful youth policies and they’re all staffed (if that’s the word) by dedicated volunteers