DEAFSPORTS Clinical Ireland Deaf Hit Slovakia for Six

The Ireland Deaf Men's football team took a big step towards qualification for the 2011 European Deaf Football Championships in Denmark by recording a 6-1 first leg victory against Slovakia at Home Farm FC in Dublin last Saturday. The Irish played some fantastic football in wet conditions with a performance that oozed class and passion.

The large crowd witnessed a nervy opening to the game. Indeed Slovakia created the first opportunity from a set piece in the 4th minute but Noel O'Donnell made a vital block following a goalmouth scramble. Ireland took the lead in the 10th minute in their first attack of purpose.

Some intelligent link-up play by Mark Sinclair and Joseph Watson sent Andrew Wynne clear and the flying winger buried the ball into the far bottom corner for his first competitive International goal to the delight of the home supporters.

The immediate injection in confidence to the Irish side was evident and the following 15 minutes saw some superb pass and move football which Slovakia struggled to cope with. Sinclair and Watson had fruitless half chances, Cosgrove had a close-range shot blocked and Eoin Burns and Richard Dougherty saw well-struck shots skim the wrong side of the woodwork.

The deserved 2nd goal arrived on the half-hour mark, Ireland Captain Darren Dunne worked tirelessly to gain possession on the left flank and his dangerous cross fell invitingly for Jonathan Cosgrove and the big striker opened his Irish account by striking a great half volley into the bottom corner to put Ireland 2-0 ahead.

Slovakia rallied briefly and Ireland were indebted to a fabulously timed tackle by Roy McKee in the 35th minute whilst Irish Keeper Roy Keating dealt well with a couple of shots that bounced awkwardly in the wet conditions.

Ireland regained control however and yet another sublime pass by Damien McMahon saw Ireland win a corner in the 43rd minute and Wynne's pinpoint cross was headed into the roof of the net by Cosgrove to leave the Irish 3-0 ahead at the break.

Ireland continued in a similar vein at the start of the 2nd half, attacking Slovakia with conviction. The fourth goal in the 56th minute came as little surprise, Watson despite a heavy late tackle did well to release Wynne and another fine finish, again into the far bottom corner had the Irish in cruise control.

Slovakia appeared somewhat shell-shocked at this point and Watson, Sinclair and O'Donnell from a rasping free-kick could have added to the tally. The inevitable 5th goal arrived in the 70th minute, impressive substitute Jason Maguire launched another Irish attack and from the resulting corner McMahon hammered a stunning shot past the Slovakian goalkeeper for his first International goal.

To their credit Slovakia kept plugging away and were rewarded for their efforts with a consolation goal from striker Horniak in the 72nd minute and they almost grabbed another minutes later but Ireland were rescued by a fine block from substitute Colm Keogh.

Ireland pushed forward again in the closing minutes and Watson was rewarded for a performance full of endeavour when his long range free-kick bounced beyond the outreach of the stranded Slovakian keeper to leave the final score Ireland 6-1 Slovakia.

In a power-packed Irish display there were many superb performances. Keating was assured throughout with O'Donnell and McKee rock solid at centre-half. Dougherty and McMahon distributed the ball well and pushed forward providing the launch pad for a wave of Irish attacks. Darren Dunne produced a great captain's display covering every blade of grass and Eoin Burns recorded arguably his finest performance in a green shirt. Wingers Sinclair and Wynne tortured the Slovakian defence throughout and strikers Watson and Cosgrove both played exceptionally well.

Irish Manager Rino Giglione was understandably delighted with the performance and result. The lads have been fantastic, both in preparation and today. If anything we could have scored more. It was particularly pleasing to see the debutant players perform so well. We head to Slovakia now for the return leg in September and whilst we have a useful advantage we will not entertain any complacent thoughts.
Ireland Deaf Football director Sean Herlihy paid tribute to IDSA, FAI and Home Farm FC for all their assistance in staging the event. He also thanked Anne Clancy Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin for attending, as well as thanking Bewleys' hotel for their support and all the team sponsors for their assistance.