DEAF SPORTS Ireland Deaf Face Tough Slovakian Challenge

The Ireland Deaf Men's Football team head to Bratislava this weekend to face Slovakia in their European Deaf Football 2011 Championships Qualifying 2nd leg match. The Irish lads hold a healthy 6-1 lead after a superb first leg performance in Dublin in May but they are expecting a backlash from the Slovaks on home turf and the Irish are taking nothing for granted. Joint manager Rino Giglione commented: "We are expecting a tough match, Slovakia will have conditions in their favour and have a proud home record so our lads have prepared well and realise that much more hard work is required if we are to reach the finals in Denmark next Summer. Giglione went on to thank IDSA and the FAI and team sponsors for assisting preparations.
 
The game will kick off in Bratislava this Saturday, September 11th at 2pm local time.
 
The squad selected and Ireland Deaf Management officials making the trip to Slovakia are listed below:
 

Ireland squad to play Slovakia:

Darren Dunne (Arsenal DFC, London, UK) Kevin Dudley (Shamrock Rovers FC, Dublin) Andrew Wynne (Mellows Boys F.C, Dublin) Damien McMahon (St Vincents DFC, Dublin) Eamon Byrne (Freebooters FC, Kilkenny) Roy Keating (St Vincents DFC, Dublin) Colm Keogh (Lorcan Celtic F.C, Dublin) Eoin Burns (Fulham DFC, London, UK) Jason Maguire (St Vincents DFC, Dublin) Michael Walsh (Dungarvan United F.C, Waterford) Joseph Watson (Waterford Crystal F.C, Waterford) Paul O Callaghan (St Vincents DFC, Dublin) Jonathan Cosgrave (Knockainey FC, Limerick) Mark Sinclair (Doncaster DFC, East Midlands, UK) Noel O’Donnell (Bonagee United FC, Donegal) Richard Dougherty (Queens University FC, Belfast) Roy McKee (Belfast Deaf United FC, Belfast)

Management Team:
Seلn Herlihy, IDSA Director of Football
Rino Giglione/Thomas Coyle, Joint Manager
Geoffrey Foy, Assistant Manager
Jamie Wilson, Coach
Barry Kennedy, Physio