Strong Meath representation on World Cup bound Irish Amputee International squad
The Irish Amputee International squad will travel to Turkey this week to compete at the World Amputee Football Federation Amputee Football World Cup.
The Boys in Green have been drawn in Group D and will face Brazil, Iran and Morocco from Saturday 1st to Monday 3rd of October in Istanbul.
Having finished 13th at the last WAFF World Cup in San Juan de Los Lagos, Mexico in 2018, Christy McElligott's side will be looking to build upon that performance and make it through to the knock-out stages of the competition.
The squad is comprised of 14 players and seven staff.
There is strong Meath representation in the squad including manager McElligott (Dunboyne), captain James Conroy (Skryne) and player Jack Douglas (Summerhill) who appeared on Ireland AM last Friday morning.
Here is the full clip!
"This will be James 3rd World Cup and he is vital part of the team, and wears the armband like a true leader," says team mate Garry Hoey.
"Jack Douglas is new to the senior squad after making his way from the IAFA junior academy. he has impressed in the Irish league playing with Bohemian Amputee team and has earn his place in the squad with his pace and willingness to learn the game.|
The Irish team have Morocco in the first game on Saturday, 1st October @1.30 GMT and on the 2nd October the play Iran at 11.30 GMT. The 3rd of October they face Brazil @3pm GMT.
Amputee football is a 7v7 game 50 mins long made up of two 25 minute halves.
Outfield players are missing a leg, they are not allowed use their prosthetic leg, they must use stander crutches to run after and kick the ball, use off the crutches are not allowed. Goalkeepers are missing their hand or parts of there arm and are only allowed use their one good hand.
All game will be streamed live on Youtube and you can check out the Irish Amputee Football Association on Facebook and Irishampfootball_ on Instagram where the details will be posted.
The World Cup will see 24 teams from five continents take part.
"Angola are the current holders, Turkey would be one of the favourites then there's teams like France, Spain, Mexico, Japan, Argentina, USA, Tanzania, England and Italy to name a few who will be very strong." says Bohs and Ireland player Hoey.
Each team will finish with a ranking position and Ireland hope to improve from their last World Cup where they finished 13th.
The Irish Amputee Team fly out to Istanbul Turkey this Thursday 28th September.
The squad are still looking for sponsorship for the team heading off to the World Cup! If you'd like to sponsor or know any company who like to get involved please get in touch via email. irishampfootballassociation@gmail.com or contact (+353 87 649 6711).