Irish Deaf Sports Association

World Deaf Swimming Championships Report Day 9
13th August 2011

We all got up at 7am in top form and had our breakfast. Nora and Eoin had their warm-up training at 8.30am.

Nora was in the 2nd heat out of three heats for 400m Freestyle. Nora did a very good start and made her great effort all the way to the end. She achieved the time of 5.13.70 and she was pleased with herself. She came 15th overall out of 21 swimmers in the World Deaf Swimming Championships 400m Freestyle. Well done and delighted for her.

Eoin was in the 1st heat out of five heats for 50m Backstroke. He did an excellent start with his head back as had a habit with his head forward. He came third in this heat with a time of 36.36 and he was so happy to break his 37seconds. He was brilliant especially being so young and also with his first hand experience to swim in the International level for the Deaf. He came 30th overall out of 36 swimmers in the World Deaf Swimming Championships 50m Backstroke . Ivan Kassin from Russia smashed WDSC time of 28.73 and achieved the time of 28.36. John Kealy, our ex Irish Deaf swimmer still hold the Deaf World Record time of 27.90 in 2005 (Australia) and doubtful if his time will be smashed in the final this evening.

Yesterday it was an awesome experience for all of us. In Men's 4 x 200m Freestyle Final, Great Britain and USA were battling to get 3rd place and USA got it by 5 seconds. We were devastated for Great Britain.

1st.Russia - 7.50.89 World Deaf Record - old time 7.56.66
2nd Ukraine - 8.00.10
3rd USA - 8.11.32
4th Great Britain - 8.11.37

We will go back to the pool at 3.30pm to watch the finals and attend the Closing Ceremony at 7pm. There will be a Gala Dinner and awards at 8pm for all of us in a hotel next door to us. We are looking forward to relax and celebrate with old and new friends.

We will leave our hotel at 11.30am tomorrow to get the coach to Lisbon Airport and it will be a sad farewell for all of us but we all hope to meet again in the next World Deaf Swimming Championships (short course) next year (2012) or else in the Deaflympics in 2013. No countries have confirmed to host either yet and we will know after ICSD Congress, which will be held in Rome in September. Irish Deaf Sports Association (IDSA) will keep us informed.

Many thanks for supporting us by sending wishes and we all really enjoyed our time here.

Deirdre Byrne Dunne
Swimmin Director
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World Deaf Swimming Championships Report Day 8
12th August 2011

Before I do today's report...last night BBQ reception organised by Irish Paralympics team was nice. We enjoyed the meal and had chat with some people on the team. Three presentation were brief by Mr Barbosa de Melo (Mayor of Coimbra), Mr Declan O'Donovan (Irish Ambassador to Portugal) and Mr Humberto Santos (President, NPC Portugal). We got the opportunity to present Mr Barbosa de Melo an Irish gift from us, Irish Deaf Sports Association Swimming Team. He was delighted and grateful.

Rodney Moorehead, our Irish Swimming Team coach went home this morning and I took over his job, coaching two swimmers but not really because Rodney had the training programmes ready for Nora and Eoin. They did their own ways and I just did the supervising job.

The competition today was very good and John Kealy's 200m Backstroke Deaf Championships Record in Belgium (1995) of 2.15.24 was smashed by Yoshikazu Kanaji (Japan) 2.10.97

Watch out for this final event this afternoon and see if the new time from the heat will be smashed.
Nora and Eoin will have training again this afternoon before the final competition. They will swim tomorrow so they are having an easy day today.

I got the chance to get a group photo taken of ex Deaflympics swimmers. There were 18 of us and I was not the oldest one phew :) The oldest one was in 1965 Deaflympics and mine was in 1973.

Last report to do tomorrow then we will fly home on Sunday.
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World Deaf Swimming Championships Report Day 7
11th August 2011

Yesterday (Day 6) was a rest for all swimmers and officers. Rodney and Eoin went to the beach while Nora and myself went to Fatima. We had a great day and were chilled out.

This morning, we all got up and had our breakfast.Trained in the pool for 40minutes.

Eoin swam in 100m Freestyle and was in first heat.He gained his personal best time of 1.04.35 which is fantastic as his old time was 1.06.00. He came 3rd in the heat and came 36th overall in 100m Freestyle for WDSC. There were six heats with 48 men.

Nora swam in 100m Freestyle and she was in the third heat. She gained her personal best time of 1.09.43 and her old time was 1.09.44. We all were thrilled for her despite herself being ill earlier this year and less training due to her Leaving Certificate examinations. There were four heats and 28 women, Nora came 21st overall in 100m Freestyle for WDSC.

Rodney, IDSA swimming coach and myself, IDSA Swimming Director are delighted and extremely proud of Nora and Eoin. They did their best so far and they both won't have any swimming events tomorrow. Both swimmers will have their last swimming for WDSC on Saturday, Nora, 400m Freestyle and Eoin, 50m Backstroke. Good luck to them.

Irish Paralympics team invited us, Irish Deaf Swimming Team to their BBQ reception tonight at 6.45pm.Mr. Barbosa de Melo (Mayor of Coimbra), Mr. Declan O'Donovan (Irish Ambassador to Portugal) and Mr Humberto Santos (President, NPC Portugal) will give their speeches and Irish Ambassador to Portugal would like to meet us. Many thanks to Ricardo Madaíl, President of Local Organisation Committee who did his best to get an International Interpreter for us so that we can explain to the guests about Irish Deaf Sports Association and introduce ourselves, Irish Deaf Swimming Team. We all are looking forward to this BBQ reception. Many thanks to the Irish Paralympics team.

Lastly, our swimming coach, Rodney Moorehead will be going home tomorrow as his sister will be getting married on Saturday. We all had the pleasure in having him. He was a brilliant and a well respected coach to the Irish Deaf Swimmers. We all had an excellent rapport with him and I as IDSA Swimming Director would like to thank Rodney for his excellent work with us. We will miss you tomorrow and Saturday. Safe flight home and enjoy the family wedding. Looking forward to work with you often from now on.

We all will go shortly to watch the finals this afternoon and will send updated news tomorrow for Day 8 report :)
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World Deaf Swimming Championships Report Day 5
9th August 2011

First of all, finals yesterday afternoon were so exciting and please do look up on http://wdsc2011.portugal.webnode.com

This morning we all had our breakfast at 7am then got the coach to the pool. Trained for less than 45minutes.

Nora's 800m Freestyle was the first event and she was in the first heat with six swimmers in it. In the second heat, there were 6 swimmers as well but one pulled out from Poland. Nora swam very well and gained her time of 10.47.59 and had to wait for an hour if she got a place in the final. She came 9th out of 11 swimmers. Well done to Nora.

Eoin swam in 50m Butterfly and was in first heat with two other swimmers. At the start, one swimmer from Portugal pulled out. Eoin swam very well and did 33.66 which is his personal best time. His old time was 34.00. We all were thrilled and can see future in him :) He came 36th in WDSC out of 42 swimmers on the list. Marcus Titus from USA broke the WDSC record, 25.42. The old time was 26.25 by Volodymyr Natalchuk from Ukraine in Taipei 2007.

We all were full of praise for Marcus as he achieved a lot in this WDSC and USA coach, Doug Matchlett told me that he is the 3rd fastest in American National Swimming Championships (hearing).

For Men 100m Backstroke Heats, Yoshikazu Kanaji (Japan) did a time of 59.96 and smashed John Kealy's Championship time of 1.00.51 in Belgium, 1995!! John Kealy is 40years old today :)

There will be finals in the afternoon and surely many more records will be smashed!!!

Last night, Irish Paralympics team invited us, Irish Deaf Swimming Team to their BBQ reception on Thursday night in which Irish Ambassador and Lord Mayor of Coimbra will be there. They want us to meet them as well. We are so grateful and looking forward to this exciting reception.

It is so hot today and I can see from my bedroom balcony that there are many people going in to have a swim in outdoor pool so I might as well join them. We are delighted for Nora and Eoin for doing well so far.

Tomorrow is a free day for everybody. Rodney and Eoin will go to Mondego River for canoeing while Nora and I will go on a tour to Fatima.

I will send Day 5 and 6 reports on Thursday.

Swimming Director
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World Deaf Swimming Championships Report Day 4
8th August 2011

A free day for Nora.

Eoin swam in 50m Men Freestyle and did very well, gained personal best time, 29.00 beating his old time, 30.38. He came 38th in the overall heat times. This is excellent as there were 7 heats with 51 men taking part!! We are thrilled for him and this boosted his confidence. Ilya Sarykin (Russia) came first in the 50m Men Freestyle in overall heats and smashed WDSC record, old time was 24.91 and he did 24.56. The old record was by Dmitry Grigorev (Russia) in Belguim, 1995. Dmitry is a good friend of John Kealy and was at his 40th birthday party in Ireland last Saturday.

50m Women Freestyle, Aksana Petrushenka (Belarus) came first in overall heats, 27.22 and no record smashed :) There were 30 swimmers and 4 heats.

200m Men Breaststroke, Marcus Titus (USA) smashed WDSC record, old time was 2.29.13 in 2007 (Taipei) by Ruslan Lebeder (Russia). New time was 2.27.07. Ruslan Lebeder swam in this heat and came 4th with the time of 2.34.87 so we all will watch the finals in the afternoon.

200m Women Breaststroke, Aksana Petrushenka (Belarus) smashed WDSC record, old time was 2.46.68 by herself, Aksana in Taipei 2007!!The new time was 2.45.64.

200m Women Butterfly, Kana Imamura (Japan) came first in the overall heat of 10 women in 2 heats. No record broken, 2.29.16

200m Men Butterfly, Callum Ross (Great Britain) came first in the overall heat of 15 men in 2 heats. No record broken, 2.11.07

All the above events will be in finals at 4.30pm and we will go back to the pool for an hour training then watch the finals.do look up on the World Deaf Swimming Championships website for all the finals times this evening.

Enjoy the rest of the day and it is hot with sunshine here :)
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No More Ticket Available for Rugby Match
8th August 2011

There is no ticket available for Ireland v France and Ireland v England for the international rugby friendly match.
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World Deaf Swimming Championships Report Day 3
8th August 2011

What an exciting day, a start of a first day competition in World Deaf Swimming Championships (WDSC) with 28 counties and 161 swimmers will be taking part. We all got up and had our breakfast at 7am, then got a coach to the pool with other teams around 8.15am.

Nora and Eoin did a warm up training under Rodney's instruction. The competition started at 10am with Nora's first event of 200m Women Freestyle. She was in the first heat as there were 3 heats with 24 swimmers. Nora came 6th in her heat and achieved her time of 2.33.37 and she knew that she had put too much effort at the start hence got herself tired at the last length. She achieved 21st place at overall heat times, which is great.

Eoin was in 2nd heat for 200m Men Freestyle and there were 5 heats with 40 swimmers. He came first in his heat and achieved the time of 2.23.19 and it was his personal best time. He came 23rd at overall heat times, which is excellent for his first time in the International level. Well done to Eoin.

Marcus Titus from USA broke two records in 50m Men Breaststroke. The old record time, 30.47 for WDSC in Taipei, 2007 was Irish swimmer, David McIlroy's and now was beaten by Marcus. He also broke Deaf World Record beating his own old time of 28.47 in USA (2009). What a great achievement for Marcus.

Callum Ross from Great Britain broke a record for WDSC, gaining 4.44.09 in 400m Men Medley. Aksana Petrushenka from Belarus broke a record for WDSC, gaining 33.39 in 50m Women Breaststroke. Anna Tovsta from Ukraine, broke a record for WDSC, gaining 5.16.09 for 400m Women Medley.

We went back to the pool at 4.30pm to watch all the finals and many more records were smashed. If you are interested in following up the swimming times in the finals.Go to http://wdsc2011portugal.webnode.com....click on 'Live Results'...

Looking forward to another exciting day tomorrow. Goodnight :)
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World Deaf Swimming Championships Report Day 2
8th August 2011

We all slept well and went to swimming pool for training at 11am to 12pm then had our lunch in nearby Shopping Centre. Rodney and I attended Technical meeting at 2pm for two hours, while Nora and Eoin had training at 2.30 to 3.30pm. Rushed back to the hotel and changed our clothes to be ready for 'Opening Ceremony' at 7pm at the pool. It was planned in a park but with the rain so it was changed to the pool.

Two delegates from each country participated the Opening Ceremony parade and the World Deaf Swimming Championships were officially launched. We all went back to the hotel and had our dinner then a relaxing night.

For your information, Paralympics Irish Team flew to Portugal and stayed in same hotel as us. We got a lovely letter from Liam Harbison, Chief Executive Office of Paralympics Ireland, letting us know that they are in Coimbra on a London 2012 preparation camp. They wanted to support us while we are there during our competition by inviting us to avail their lounge and the services. This lounge contains snacks, teas/coffee, computer games, etc. We were thrilled and grateful so we use this lounge to relax.
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World Deaf Swimming Championships Report Day 1
8th August 2011

On Friday 5 August, we departed Dublin at 10am and arrived in Lisbon where Great Britain team arrived same time with us. Deaf volunteers met us and there was a bit of hiccup about two teams getting on the coach with Great Britain team.

We got on the coach and saw Netherlands team and Australian team on the coach as well.It took us two hours to reach Coimbra where our hotel is and the swimming event. We went straight to the swimming pool about 20mins drive away from the hotel to get our ID cards and did half hour training as the time was tight.

Once we went back to the hotel and had our dinner, we all went straight to bed as it was a long tiring day.Many teams are in the same hotel as us which was nice to get to know each other well.
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IDFF; 3rd Emerald Deaf Futsal Championships
3rd August 2011

The 3rd Emerald Deaf Futsal Championship will kick off on the weekend of 3rd& 4th September 2011. The Championships is organised by IDSA because there is no IDFF committee since the championship ended in 2010. IDSA is hoping to see a new IDFF committee set up at the same weekend and IDSA will step aside afterwards.

Terms & Conditions

1. The tournament is open to all Deaf/Hard of Hearing & their hearing siblings.

2. The tournament will be held on 3rd – 4th September 2011 (one weekend only) at Trinity Comprehensive School Ballymun, Main Street, Ballymun, Dublin 9. Both days will begin at 11am. Games will be two halves of 20 minutes running clock.

3. How the team format is made up?
As you know in the past, teams were set up by IDFF committee but because there is no committee, for the best interest & to be fair, we will have seeds for each player from each team.

Equal numbers of seeded players are then allocated to 6 or 8 groups of ten players for the draw on 2nd September. Please note, we may reduce to 8 players for each team if we don’t have enough players!

Only Over 35 will have their own team.

If 8 Teams: 2 groups of 4 teams; each team plays a minimum of 3 matches. Then, Top 2 of each group will play in the semi-final and final, while bottom 2 of each group will play 5th to 8th places.

If 6 Teams: 2 groups of 3 teams; each team plays a minimum of 2 matches. Then, Top 2 of each group will play in the semi-final and final, while bottom team of each group will play 5th/6th places.

4. The registration is limited to 80 players only, on first come first served basis.

5. The registration fee is 20 euro.

6. Who will attend the Draw & Where?
A draw will be made in Dublin Deaf Club on Friday 2nd September 2011. Time: TBC. Anyone is welcome to watch the draw but players who are in seed 1 must be present because he is either captain or manager of the team.

7. Completed entry forms with 20 euro must reach us by email to irishdeafsports@gmail.com or post it to IDSA, 40 Lower Drumcondra Road, Dublin 9 by 26th August 2011.

Entry Form

3rd Emerald Deaf Futsal Championship Form.doc

If you wish to wire 20e to IDSA Account, make sure you put down your name on statement and let IDSA know.

Account Details:

Bank: Bank of Ireland
Account No: 15859491
Short Code: 90-00-17

8. The refundable 20e will be forfeited if any players fail to show up on the event day. The organiser has the right to replace a player that withdraws with any player deemed fit to continue with the tournament.

10. The organiser or any parties involved in the tournament shall not be responsible for any expenses incurred by teams, participants or individuals during or after the tournament.

11. Ireland Deaf Futsal:
If you wish to play for Ireland Deaf Futsal in World Deaf Futsal Championships at Sweden in November, you must play at the IDFF Championship.

ISL Video

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Irish Deaf Golf Union; Four Nation Deaf Golf Tournament
25th July 2011

Congratulations are in order to the following players who are selected to play for Ireland for the Four Nations Tournament at Castleknock Golf Club - August 3rd - 5th).

They are:
Geoff McCormack, Philip Quearney, Dillon Smith, Peter Dalton, Don Conway and Nick Dowling.

The first four players are selected on basis of the order of merit and the latter two were picked as wild cards. The manager, Cathy McCormack picked two wildcards after a round of consultations with the committee and players.

We wish them very best and we are confident that they will do us and Ireland proud.Please do not hesitate to contact me if you wish to know more about this tournament.

More information can be seen on http://www.irishdeafgolfunion.com/NOTICEBOARD.htm

John Bosco Conama
IDGU Honorary Secretary

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Press Release: Irish Deaf Swimming Team for the World Deaf Swimming Championships
15th July 2011

Swimming Director, Deirdre Byrne-Dunne, is delighted to announce that Nora Duggan (St. Paul’s Swimming Club) and Eoin O'Meara (Cormorants Swimming Club)are selected to swim for Ireland in the forthcoming World Deaf Swimming Championships in Coimbra, Portugal on 6-13 August 2011.

The two Irish swimmers, Nora (Kerry) and Eoin (Dublin) qualified in the 2011 World Deaf Swimming Championships qualifying times. We, the IDSA executive committee would like to congratulate both swimmers and wish them all the best.

Rodney Moorehead, Irish Deaf Swimming Coach, will be on the Irish Deaf Swimming team and thanks to Bangor Swimming Club for allowing him to take time off from his coaching job there to join us, the Irish Deaf Swimming Team to Portugal. He was involved in setting up Ulster Deaf Swimming Club and worked as a swimming coach with Deaf children.

Further information and Swimming schedule http://wdsc2011portugal.webnode.com
Women: Nora Duggan
100m, 200m, 400m, 800m Freestyle.

Men: Eoin O'Meara
50m Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly, 100m Freestyle, 200m Freestyle.

There are many young potential Deaf swimmers training every Wednesday at 6.30-8.30pm in Ulster Deaf Sports Council swimming club at the Robinson Leisure Centre in Belfast and every Thursday at 4-5.30pm in St. Joseph’s School for the Deaf Boys’ pool in Dublin and some are in their own swimming club. I hope they will get their chance to swim for Ireland in the near future.

Any Deaf or hard of hearing swimmers that are interested in becoming involved in Deaf swimming are encouraged to contact Deirdre Byrne-Dunne for further information via email at swimming@irishdeafsports.net

In order to continue the great work, sponsorshipis urgently needed and would be greatly appreciated to help with travelling & coaching costs. Any person wishing to contribute,please contact me on the above email address.

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Sean Kelly Anniversary Mass on this Saturday
20th July 2011

IDSA is arranging a memorial Mass in DDA at 7.30 pm on Saturday 23rd July 2011 to mark the 10th anniversary of our former IDSA President, Sean Kelly who passed away on 21st July 2001 at the ICSD Congress in Rome. R.I.P. He was the longest serving President and was the most loyal member as well as a Co-Founder of IDSA. We hope to see a large crowd coming to it.
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RTÉ Weather - A New Weekly Weather Broadcast in ISL
15th July 2011

RTÉ and Met Éireann are delighted to announce a new service for the deaf community. The first weekly weather forecast in ISL (Irish Sign Language) will be broadcast this Sunday, 17 July, at 5.45pm on RTÉ One.

The two-minute bulletin will be presented by Sarah-Jane Moloney and Caroline Worthington, two experienced Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpreters. Together with a voiceover, it will be broadcast each Sunday evening with details of the predicted weather conditions for Ireland for the coming week.

The development is part of RTÉ’s ongoing commitment to the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities and is in addition to News for the Deaf, the programme Hands On and extensive subtitling. There are now subtitles on up to 90% of programming on RTÉ One and 76% on RTÉ Two during peak viewing hours, on main news bulletins and all current affairs output.

RTÉ acknowledges the great effort and commitment by the weather team and the ISL presenters in creating the new bulletin. This initiative between RTÉ and Met Éireann adds to the growing list of forecasts broadcast on both RTÉ One and RTÉ Two, supplementing the main bulletins which following the News at One, the Six One news and the Nine O Clock news. These now include:

• The European forecast (including a skiing forecast when appropriate) seven days per week, just before the Angelus
• The World Forecast, Monday to Thursday, after the News on Two
• The Marine Outlook, forecast on Fridays evenings on RTÉ One
• The Farming Forecast on Sundays at lunchtime on RTÉ One

Further information: Carolyn Fisher, Senior Press Officer, RTÉ News and Current Affairs
T: 01 208 3996 / 087 285 6878
E: carolyn.fisher@rte.ie
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Watson Hits Landmark as Ireland Deaf Defeat Holland
9th July 2011

Ireland 3 - 1 Holland

Joe Watson's 50th goal in 60 International appearances capped a superb Ireland Deaf performance as they defeated Holland 3-1 to finish in 7th place in the 2011 European Deaf Football Championships held in Denmark.

The youthful Irish team began confidently, dominating possession from the outset and they had a couple of early chances even before Mark Sinclair put them 1-0 up in the 10th minute with a fine individual goal. Ireland continued to control proceedings but the Dutch drew level at 1-1 with a fortunate 31st minute penalty and that remained the half-time score despite some impressive Ireland build-up play.

Ireland began the second half at whirlwind pace, consistently pegging the Dutch back with some fine interchange football. There were chances for Kevin Dudley and Brian Babb before Watson hit his half century of International goals with a delightful strike, lobbing the keeper from 18 yards after latching onto Noel 'O Donnell's long throw. 2-1 ahead now the Irish continued to sparkle and Sean Young made it 3-1 soon afterwards with a stunning 20 yard free-kick after a surging run from Stephen Millar. Despite some late Dutch pressure the Irish defence held firm for a deserved 3-1 victory and finish the tournament on a high note.

In what was a fine team performance keeper Walsh again made 2 crucial saves when necessary. Millar was superb at right back with O'Donnell playing well on the opposite flank. Captain Darren Dunne read the game extremely well for 90 mins turning in a great performance whilst centre back partner Bobby McAra received the Man of the Match verdict from most observers. Kevin Dudley continues to get better with each game he plays and impressed on the right flank, Jason Maguire also showing some good touches before injury forced him off. Eoin Burns covered every blade of grass as always with a fine showing, 17 year-old Sean Young in sensational form alongside him. Sinclair and Babb linked well together in attack, giving the dutch defence a torrid time with Watson coming off the bench to strike a goal that will live long in the memory and also contributing significantly to the team victory.

The win was the perfect send-off for manager Rino Giglione who was immensely proud of the performance, particularly with the emerging talented pool of youth players which will surely ensure a bright future for Ireland Deaf Football.
The management team would like to thank IDSA for all their assistance as well at the FAI for supporting deaf football.

The team sponsors particularly Bewleys hotel Dublin airport also received special praise. The squad would also like to thank all the fans who supported the team throughout the tournament.
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Brave Ireland Deaf Suffer Extra Time Defeat
3rd July 2011

Ireland 2 - 4 Great Britain
(after extra time)

The Ireland men'sfootball team exited the European Deaf Championships at the quarter final stage when they suffered an extra-time defeat at the hands of Great Britain after the game finished 2-2 after 90 minute.

It was a brave effort from the injury ravagedlads, and some controversial refereeing decisions were also to prove decisive. Two excellent goals from Brian Babb, some stunning saves from Michael Walsh and heroic defending from a patched up Irish defence proved in vainGreat Britain ultimately recorded a deserved victory.match began at a fast tempo with some good quality football. Mark Sinclair had the first chance for Ireland but his 8th minute shot was blocked whilst Eamon Byrne saw a well struck shot drift wide moments later. At the other end Great Britain had a chance of their own but their centre forward headed over when well placed. The game continued to be evenly contested until the 25th minuteIreland struck the first blow. Good work from Stuart Foy and Byrne sent Babb clear and he cut in from the left touchline before delicately chipping the advancing keeper for a superb goal. Both teams had chances in the remaining minutes of the first half with some good play byWynne and Joe Watson as Ireland threatened. 1-0 at the interval and Ireland suffered a blow when Stuart Foy was forced off with injury with Sean Young enteringKeeper' Walsh saved wellthewhilst Babb had apenalty appealaway on 53 minute. The young striker did double his tally however on 59 minute when he pounced on a defensive mix-up to fire home another fine 20 yard shot into the bottom cornerput Ireland into a 2-0 lead. Thebiggest turning point soonhowever.defender Roy McKee made a confident tackle inside his own six yard box but to everyone's amazement the referee pointed to the penalty spot. The kick was duly converted and at 2-1was back in the game. Ireland was also suffering an injury crisis at this stage. Sinclair hobbled off with a leg injury and 5 other players were walking wounded. GB exerted some pressure and the equalizer followed in the 74th minute although most observers felt the goal was well offside. Irelandhold out for extra time and indeed had a golden chance to win the gamethe final minute but Daly's shot was blocked from Wynne's great cross.

GB were dominant in extra time as the Irish lads were out on their feet. Two early goals settled the contest but Ireland to their credit kept plugging away and had late chances through Watson and Sean Young.

The overworked Walsh had a superb game. Richard Dougherty, McKee and Foy gave heroic performances whilst playing through the pain barrier, Bobby McAra also emerging with credit. The Irish midfield of Byrne, Wynne,and Dunne all worked hard with Sinclair also doing well before retiring injured. Babb gave another sparkling performance taking his goals with supreme confidence. Substitutes Young, Daly and Burns also had good moments when introduced.

Manager Rino Giglione reflected the disappointment within the camp when commenting on the agonising nature of the loss. 'Too many things went against us today, however the lads gave a massive effort and they can take heart from their performance' Ireland now focus onto secure 5th place in the tournament when they play Belgium in their next game.'
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Ireland Deaf Triumph Denmark Thriller
3rd July 2011

Denmark 2 - 3 Ireland

Ireland Deaf secured a place in the quarter finals of the 2011 European Deaf Football Championships courtesy of an entertaining 3-2 victory over host nation Denmark last night. The Irish demonstrated tremendous character in the face of adversity, twice coming from behind and playing the last quarter with 10 men, but still returning the result they required.

Backed by a vocal large home crowd Denmark began on the front foot, an early 25 yard shot flashed wide of the Ireland goal before the Danish team were awarded a penalty in the 9th minute. Despite Irish Keeper' Mike Walsh's superb save from the spot kick the rebound was hammered home to put Denmark in the ascendency. Ireland to their credit responded positively and created chances of their own, forcing a deserved equalizer in the 22nd minute. A dream training ground set-piece routine was perfectly executed, Joe Watson and Andrew Wynne creating the opportunity for Eamon Byrne to steer a cracking drive low into the bottom corner from 20 yards to level at 1-1. The match continued with end to end action at breathtaking speed. Walsh saved well on 28 mins before Wynne shot narrowly wide from a clever Brian Babb cross. It was the hosts who regained the lead in the 36th minute. A cross from the right flank was finished to the net from close range to make the score 2-1. Once again the Irish response was immediate and decisive, drawing level within 2 minutes. Babb powered through the Denmark defence and his perfectly weighted pass sent Mark Sinclair clear, the striker confidently dispatching the ball past the advancing keeper for 2-2. The interval allowed the crowd to get their breath back but the second half was every bit as exciting. Babb headed over from a corner in the 47th minute and soon after Byrne's 25 yard piledriver was tipped over by the Danish keeper' at full stretch as Ireland started the second half well. Denmark hit the woodwork in the 57th minute and Sinclair almost scored at the other end from Babb's cross on 59 mins. Ireland were then reduced to 10 men with almost 20 mins remaining - O' Donnell receiving a second yellow, but this misfortune only seemed to inspire the Irish lads to greater heights. Ireland hit the woodwork twice inside 4 minutes. First Babb's stunning left foot shot from 30 yards rattled the post, Sinclair's shot from 12 yards suffering a similar fate in the 83rd minute. The match defining moment on 87 minutes was a goal of the highest quality. Sinclair won a free-kick 25 yards out and Wynne from a tight angle curled a fantastic shot into the far top corner to put Ireland 3-2 ahead and spark wild celebrations from the Irish contingent. Denmark weren't finished yet however and they exerted some late pressure, Walsh saving well twice in the dying seconds. The final whistle brought a mixture of relief and jubilation for Ireland.

Walsh had an assured 90 mins, O'Donnell also contributing well to the cause. Watson at sweeper was simply outstanding for 90 mins repeatedly repelling the Danish attacks. Daly had some good moments at left back whilst Wynne also performed with immense credit, both on the wing and when moved to defence. Bobby McAra returned another solid game - he was particularly prominent when defending resolutely in the pressurised late stages. Kevin Dudley on the left wing was the platform for a number of Ireland attacks whilst Eoin Burns and Byrne had excellent games in centre midfield where they were often outnumbered. Second half substitutes Stephen Millar and Enda Dunne were also to the fore in much of Ireland's best play. Mark Sinclair can be very proud of his performance - his best in an Irish Jersey for a long time. Strike partner Babb was again in tremendous form - working so hard throughout, and again as a lone striker.

Irish Manager Rino Giglione was proud of the effort. 'Again we did it the hard way but the character and self-belief of the lads was fantastic'. 'We are looking forward to the quarter final'. Ireland play Great Britain on Tuesday at 4pm ko Danish time.