FESTIVAL OF FOOTBALL 2009!
Co. Monaghan hosted the FAI's 2009 Annual General Meeting and in the run up to this event a Festival of Football took places with lots of different football games held.
In Carrickmacross on Wednesday 1st July, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Powerchair Football Club travelled to a Powerchair Football Blitz that ran alongside the Festival of Football. Three teams played in a round robin league, demonstrating the beautiful game to those in attendance.
Travelling on the day from DLR were Sara Geraghty, Ciarán Nesbitt, Dara Carroll, Keith Hayes and Seán McGonigle. The team were most impressed when in walked their idols of Republic of Ireland fame, namely Ray Houghton, Paul McGrath and Packie Bonner!! Needless to say, the cameras were swiftly taken out of the pockets for a presentation of certificates to the players, and even some of the mothers of the younger players were seen to be blushing when being greeted by Mr. McGrath!
This was seen as a major step forward for Powerchair Football in Ireland, with President of the FAI David Blood in attendance lending his support, as well as CEO John Delaney and staff of the Technical Department. Who knows... if just a few more years some of our younger stars may represent their country on the international stage!!
* A special thanks to Enable Ireland School in Sandymount for the use of their "boots"; to Football For All Coordinator Oisín Jordan; and a really big thanks to all the volunteers with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Powerchair Football Club Committee, Cheshire Ireland for the bus and drivers, and Ian and Donal for their dedication to the cause!!!
