Toronto Irish F.C.

Toronto Irish F.C. is an amateur football (soccer) club based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The club plays its home games at Cherry Beach, on Toronto's waterfront, and trains at Moss Park, downtown Toronto.
History
Founding
Toronto Irish F.C. was formed in 2008, by two Irish immigrants to Canada, David Robinson and Daithi Hosford. It was modelled on the founding principles of London Irish Rugby Football Club, to provide organised sport for recent Irish immigrants to Toronto. The club also adopted the same nickname as the rugby club, The Exiles.
The Community of TIFC
Strictly non-political and non-sectarian, the club welcomes players from all communities in Ireland, and also includes players from the United Kingdom, Europe, and beyond. The club was recognised by the Irish Association of Toronto as being of value to new Irish arrivals to the city. In addition to providing sport, new players have been able to benefit from meeting long term residents of the city, helping them to find jobs, places to live, and other useful information.
Players are also able to meet people of different social and religious backgrounds from all over Ireland and further afield, an experience not generally available in Ireland.
Team Colours
The team's home colours are forest green shirt, black shorts and black socks. Change colours are red and white shirt, white shorts, and red socks. These colours signify Ulster and Munster (the Irish provinces from which the founders came), and also the colours of Canada.
Early Appearances
Toronto Irish first appeared in an indoor league in late 2008 and early 2009, as preparation for the Summer outdoor season. After pre-season friendlies in the late Spring, their first major game came in the QEW Cup at BMO Field Toronto. A 5-3 win over the Hamilton League Champions, Glasgow United, saw the club pick up its first trophy.
2009 Outdoor Season
On the 9th May 2009, TIFC made its first appearance in the Canadian Multicultural Soccer League, a 5-0 win over JTK FC. At time of writing, the club are currently top of the CMSL table on goal difference, all games having been played. However, a dispute arose with the commissioner of the league as to whether goal difference or head to head results decided the league. Therefore a one-off playoff game took place to decide the destination of the trophy. Unfortunately, with several players either missing or carrying injuries, the club came up just short, losing 2-0 to FCP Woodbridge. A disappointing end to a fantastic season.
Season Review
Having topped the table during the regular season, the team were entitled to feel like winners, whatever the result of the controversial playoff game. The transient nature of its members, most of whom were on short term visas, led to the loss of major players by the halfway point of the season. But for a first year team started from nothing, the achievements were many, and the outlook for next year is even brighter.
2010 Outdoor Season
It is proposed that TIFC will participate in the Toronto Services Soccer League in the 2010 season. The TSSL is Toronto's oldest and most prestigious soccer league.

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