Ireland Deaf Footballers Face Tough Deaflympic Qualifier

The Ireland's Men's Deaf Football team travel to Germany this weekend for a Deaflympics qualifying tie in an attempt to win through to the 2013 Summer Deaflympics Games in Bulgaria. It promises to be a daunting task for the Irish lads as their opponents were recently the No.1 ranked team in the world and a 1 leg tie which gives the German team home advantage means the odds are stacked against an Irish victory. In many ways however this is a prospect Ireland will face with relish, the underdog tag in a 'nothing to lose' situation usually brings out the very best in this talented group of players.

The Irish management have banked on experience for this game and will look to accomplished stars like Darren Dunne (capt), Roy McKee (vice-capt), Richard Dougherty, Noel O'Donnell, Andrew Wynne, Eamon Byrne, Stuart Foy and Bobby McAra for inspiration. The team are also lucky to have two top class goalkeepers to choose from in Roy Keating and Michael Walsh. Players like Eoin Burns and Barry Campbell will add steel and determination to the midfield battle while Jonathan Cosgrave, Mark Sinclair, Stephen Millar, and Kevin Dudley are all classy performers capable of being match winners on any given day.

Assistant manager Geoffrey Foy eluded an air of confidence when discussing the match. "The lads are confident, our training camps have gone well, morale within the team is superb and we cannot wait for the game to begin". The squad would like to thank the follow groups for supporting their preparations, Deaf Sports Ireland, the Irish Sports Council, the FAI, Bewleys Dublin Airport hotel, Belfast City Council and Fusion Physio Belfast.

Germany v Ireland kicks off in Hannover 2pm Irish time Saturday 29th September 2012.