European Futsal Qualifiers
Final Preparations have taken place for the Republic of Ireland’s Senior Futsal team as they take part in the preliminary round of the UEFA Futsal Championship this week in Dublin.
Ireland take on Cyprus, England and Kazakhstan in the National Basketball arena in Tallaght over three nights of exciting Futsal.
Derek O Neill, Republic of Ireland Futsal manger said “We’re busy preparing for the matches and the lads are really focused on the games. We hope to put up some great displays of Futsal against Cyprus and Kazakhstan, both are very experienced sides. While the England game is sure to be tense, they’re hoping for a win but so are we, it’s going to be a great game”.
In November 2008, the Irish team played two friendly games in Budapest against the Hungarian Senior A team and showed lots of promise against a very strong National side. While in December they went on to tackle a more experienced English side in Loughborough University. A thrilling 3-3 draw in this match, makes the English challenge next week more exciting with both sides desperate to take the first win.
This is Ireland’s first time at Senior level in a UEFA Futsal Championship, having taken part in the Under-21 UEFA Futsal Championship in 2008. Many of the players involved at Under-21 level have made it through to the Senior Futsal team, thus the Senior team is a young but enthuastic and determined side who are looking forward to their first taste of competitive Futsal at the most senior level.
The only exception to the young side is of course Thomas Morgan, who at almost 32 is both the oldest and most experienced member of the Irish side. Morgan, a player of both heart and exceptional skill, will no doubt put up a terrific display of Futsal over the three matches and as always will be an inspiration to the younger lads on the team.
The Republic of Ireland fixtures are :
Thursday 19th February - Ireland v Cyprus 8pm
Friday 20th February - Ireland v England 8pm
Sunday 22nd February - Ireland v Kazakhstan 6pm
So, is anybody going along to this?
