DEAF SPORTS Ireland Deaf Prepare for Slovakia Qualifier

The Ireland Men's Deaf Football team face a tricky upcoming European Deaf Football Championship qualifying 2 leg tie with Slovakia. The first tie is scheduled for Dublin at Home Farm FC pitch (Whitehall, Dublin 9) on 29th May 2010, 3pm kick-off with the return leg taking place in Slovakia on 11th September. The winners will qualify for the European deaf football championships in Denmark June 2011.

The stakes are high for the Irish lads who are widely regarded as one of the best deaf footballing sides in the world. Indeed Ireland impressed at the previous European finals in Portugal 2007, high profile victories were recorded against Russia, Ukraine, Belgium and Germany before having to settle for a 3rd place finish following a somewhat unlucky 3-1 defeat to Great Britain.

Slovakia however will provide a stern test having narrowly lost to eventual tournament winners France in qualifying for the 2007 championships and have continued to progress.

Ireland Deaf Men's football director Sean Herlihy is looking forward to the contest, 'the lads have been working hard in anticipation of the game. It's a vital match but hopefully we can give our best performance on the day and fingers crossed that will be good enough to see us through'.

The Irish squad has a useful blend of seasoned campaigners mixed with exciting youngsters. Captain Darren Dunne plays for Arsenal Deaf FC whilst players like record goalscorer Joseph Watson, Richard Dougherty and Roy McKee have all played at the top tier of league of Ireland/Irish league football. Flying winger Andrew Wynne will also have a big part to play against Slovakia whilst teenagers Kevin Dudley and Jason Maguire are exciting up and coming prospects in what is a strong squad with fierce competition for places.

The Ireland deaf football team would like to thank the FAI for all their continued assistance in supporting and developing deaf football and the team would like to make an impassioned plea to the Irish footballing community to turn out in force and support the lads against Slovakia on 29th May.

Any deaf or hard of hearing footballers interested in becoming involved in deaf football are encouraged to contact Sean Herlihy for further information via email at: football@irishdeafsports.net