Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland

Ireland’s Cerebral Palsy Football Team win bronze medal at European Championship

Brenda Hopkins — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 08:31:12 +0000

Gary Messett, Player of the Championships

Ireland completed an incredible two weeks at the CP-ISRA European Championships in Glasgow on Friday when they beat a strong Dutch team in the bronze medal play-off match. In a tight game Ireland managed to win the game 2:0 and secured their first major Championship medal in 15 years.

Ireland had a tense first half with the Dutch missing a number of chances. Some fine goalkeeping from Brian McGillivary kept the score level at half time. Ten minutes into the second half, team captain Luke Evans was forced off due a hamstring injury. This forced a change in tactics which resulted in the Irish playing a more pressing game.

The first goal came from a Gary Messett free kick which was deflected into his own net by Dennis Straatman in the 57th minute. The scoring was completed in the injury time from another set piece move through Joe Markey. This resulted in wild celebrations on the touch line.

Following the game Paul Cassin commented “This result is the just reward for the amount of hard work the lads have put in over the last 8 months. With 2 of our starting 7 getting injured, I was a little worried but each member of the squad stood up and was counted, resulting in a fantastic team performance”.

The team received a further note of recognition at the end of tournament prize giving ceremony, when Bray’s Gary Messett was named Player of the Championships.

With 2 years to go to the London 2012 Paralympic Games, the Irish Team have laid down a significant marker of their prospects in London.

The team arrives back to Dublin airport at 6.30 on Sunday evening.

Info Source - Alan Swanton

Info Source - Paralympic Council of Ireland - Picture

Irish Football Team Play for Bronze Medal

Brenda Hopkins — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 07:31:43 +0000

Ireland suffered a cruel defeat today at the hands of current Paralympic silver medallists, Russia. Ireland produced a composed, tactical performance but were unhinged by some fine Russia finishing. Early on, Russia put Ireland under pressure but they soaked it up comfortably. After 10 minutes, top goal scorer Jason Moran was forced off with an ankle injury. Ireland created a number of chances in the remainder of the half but the Russians broke down a resolute defence on the 26^th minute with a fine strike from the edge of the area into the bottom right hand corner from Alexey Tumakov. The half ended with the Russians holding a slender 1 nil advantage.

Russia made 3 changes at the break and the tactical cat and mouse game continued. Ireland created a number of half chances and continued a strong team performance.

However with only 5 minutes to go the Russians scored the matchs clinching goal through a rapid break, finished off from Lasha Murvanadze. Ireland continued to press looking for a goal and conceded a third on the break with 2 minutes to go from Andrey Kuvaev.

Paul Cassin following the game commented “This game has shown how far this team has progressed in the last few months. To hold the Paralympic champions, Ukraine scoreless for 40 minutes and to hold the Russians to a one goal lead after 55 minutes is a credit to the team cohesion and work ethic”

Ireland now have one game remaining in this tournament. That is a bronze medal play off against the Netherlands who lost 4 -1 to the Ukraine in the other semi final. The game takes place at 5pm this Friday afternoon.

Info Source - Alan Swanton

Ireland through to the semi finals in the Football European Championships

Brenda Hopkins — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:35:30 +0000

Yesterday the 23rd August at the European Championships the group stages were concluded with a game against Finland. The scoring started as early as the third minute through Jason Moran’s long range strike. Jason struck again 2 minutes later through a well worked set piece from Gary Messett. Ireland were two up only 5 minutes into the game. Ireland continued to pile on the pressure and the third goal came from the up and coming striker Dara Snell on the 13^th minute. Ireland continued to create further chances in the half and Derek Malone added the fourth from a delightful cross shot from the right wing in the 30^th minute. The final goal came in the second half via a penalty confidently dispatched from Darren Kavanagh, following a last challenge with a tired Finlandish defender.

Team manager Paul Cassin commented following the game “I was extremely happy with the performance considering the number of changes we made to the starting team. I extremely happy that we have kept 3 clean sheet in 4 group games and now all our focus is on the semi final against Russia” which takes place this Thursday 23^rd at 10.30am.

Info Source - Alan Swanton

Ireland v’s Ukraine - European Championships Glasgow

Brenda Hopkins — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 08:04:36 +0000

On Friday last the 20th August Ireland played their third game in four days at these European championships when they faced the current Paralympic champions, Ukraine. Ireland produced a structured and controlled first half creating a number of chances but failed to break a strong Ukraine defence. Both sides went to the dressing rooms scoreless at half time. However 10 minutes into the 2^nd half Ukraine produced the opening goal through Taras Dutko. Within another 4 minutes they had scored a further 2 goals to effectively end the game as a contest. Ireland continued to press the Ukrainian defense resulting in a fine header which hit the post from Jason Moran. The final goal For Ukraine came from Antonyuk on the 50^th minute.

Following the game Team Manager Paul Cassin commented “l think today Ukraine showed in the 2^nd half why they are the world champions. Our first half performance showed we can compete with them but we have a long way to go before we will be able to beat them”

Irelands final group game comes today Monday the 23^rd August at 1pm against Finland where victory will put them into the semi finals on Thursday.

Info Source - Alan Swanton

Brilliant Gold Medal win for Mark Rohan at UCI Paracycling World Road Championships in Canada

Brenda Hopkins — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 07:04:36 +0000

Athlone athlete Mark Rohan secured Ireland’s first ever Paracycling World Championship Gold Medal when winning the H1 Handcycling Road Race in Baie-Comeau Canada today.

Riding a very tactical race Mark pulled away from the rest of the field in the first lap with the previous World Champion Austrian rider Wolfgang Schattauer. In the second lap they were joined by the Israeli rider Yakof Lion and it was clear that these three would share out the medals.

On the final climb Mark and Wolfgang increased the pressure to drop the Israeli rider and leave it a two cat race for the gold medal. With just 500 metres to go Mark attacked from behind to overtake Schattauer and held him off in a thrilling finish to win by just two seconds and take the Gold for Ireland.

Expressing delight at the result Irish Paracycling Manager said he was so proud of Mark on his great performance and paid tribute to his coaches Beverly Chamberlain and Brian Nugent and the other support staff members mechanic Gerry Beggs and Masseuse Fionnuala Kirby for the part they played in Marks great win.

“Singing the Irish National Anthem at a World Championship Medal Ceremony was a great experience and hopefully one we will repeat again before the championships are over” said Toomey.

The two other Irish athletes in action today, Karol Doherty in the H3 category and Colin Lynch in the C2 category both finished down the field in their races.

Four bikes are in action tomorrow, male tandem pairings of Michael Delaney and pilot Con Collis and Andrew Fitzgerald and pilot Paul Giblin, female tandem pairing of Catherine Walsh and pilot Fran Meehan, and two single bikes Cathal Miller in the C5 category and Enda Smyth in the C4 category. Fingers crossed that Mark’s win will encourage them all to follow suit and bring home the goods in their road races tomorrow

Info Source - Denis Toomey - Paralympic Cycling Manager

Madsen wins National Development Boccia Championships 2010

Brenda Hopkins — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:00:35 +0000

The First National Development Boccia Championships was held on the 18^th August in Ballinteer Community School with 8 Athletes selected to compete. Throughout the year, teams of Boccia Players competed together in the national League championships. As a result of the league a number of the players were selected individually to compete in the development nationals. The athletes were selected on their level of ability according to the classification bands within the game and their ability to play. In total 15 athletes from a total of 82 players received an invite to the championships with 8 accepting the invite.

The Players selected for the championships were:

John Cooney - Ardee

Joseph Duff - Ardee

Kieran Hogan - Carlow

Dermot Madsen - Sandyford Dublin

Mairead Connolly - Sligo

David Walsh - Ardee

Dan Kennedy - Dublin

Kelly Kinsella - Meath

Dan Kennedy and Joseph Duff in Action

All players showed a very high level of play throughout all their individual matches with each player trying to gain as many points to clear their pool.

With 6 players going forward from the pools, all games were very tightly fought. One of the youngest players on the day, Dan Kennedy (11) proved his ability on the court by getting to the finals. This was Dan’s first competition, but he didn’t let it phase him as he was able to edge ahead in his final match and claim 3^rd place to Mairead Connolly from Sligo.

The battle for 1^st and 2^nd was yet another close match with runner up from the pools Dermott Madsen claiming victory by one point from Joseph Duff. Unfortunately for Joseph this was his first and only loss of the day having won all his 4 match up to the final.

Dermot was presented with his gold medal by the current BC1 Boccia World Champion Padraic Moran (Bray Co. Wicklow). The National Boccia Manager Jacquie Connolly congratulated all the players and paid tribute and reference to Padraic having started his Boccia Career at this level. She said that all players here today had huge potential, and with hard work could get to where Padraic is today.

On behalf of Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland, Congratulations to all the competitors who took part. A big thank you also to the referee’s who officiated the matches.

For more information, please contact Brenda O’Donnell, National Development Officer at 01 6251160 or Brenda.hopkins@cpsi.ie.

Ireland Winning Performance - European Football Championships

Brenda Hopkins — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 07:55:52 +0000

Match Report from Glasgow - Ireland 6, England 0

Today at CPISRA European champs in Glasgow Ireland produced an excellent performance winning 6 - 0 against a strong England team.

The rout began as early as the 10th minute from a superb left wing cross from Gary Messett which was turned into his own net from a helpless England defender. The second goal came 4 minutes later from a delightful left wing cross from the reliable left boot of Paul Dollard, Jason Moran was left with a simple header beyond the helpless keeper. The scoring in the first half was completed in the 20th minute from a well worked free kick from Luke Evans.

The scoring continued 5 minutes into the second half through a well worked team goal, the ball was slotted into the bottom left corner of the English net by Joe Markey. On the 46th minute Gary Messett picked the ball up in his own half and slicked through by now deflated English defence to finish neatly beyond the helpless goal keeper. The rout was concluded in the 54th minute through a cool finish from Jason Moran, his 5th goal in 2 games at these European champs capping a tremendous team performance.

Following the game team manager Paul Cassin commented “This was by far the best team performance l have witnessed against an English team. Considering at the recent Paralympic WC in Manchester, we only managed to beat them 2-1. This has laid down a marker leading in the Paralympic games in London 2012″.

Star man Gary Messett said, “Today was a wonderful team performance, the selflessness, work rate and commitment from all 12 of the squad and support team has been phenomenal. Our 2 opening performances are a real indication of the potential that this team has”

This win comes on the back of a 5-0 opening day win against Australia with the goals coming from a Jason Moran hat trick, Luke Evans and a first senior international goal from the 18 year old Dara Snell.

Next up for the Irish is a well deserved rest day before they take on the might of the current Paralympic champions, Ukraine. This goes ahead at 1pm on Friday 20th August.

Info Source - Paralympic Council of Ireland - www.pcireland.ie

CPISRA European 7-aside Championships-17th to 28th August 2010

Brenda Hopkins — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:26:50 +0000

Toryglen Regional Football Centre, Glasgow,

Under the Management of Paul Cassin the Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland 7-aside football Team travelling to the CPISRA European Campionship to be held in Glasgow from the 15th - 29th August are as follows

Brian McGillivary Dublin

Aidan Brennan Dublin

Paul Dollard Dublin

Luke Evans Dublin

Joe Markey Monaghan

Finbarr ORiordan Cork

Jason Moran Galway

Mark Jones Belfast

Derek Malone Clare

Gary Messett Wicklow

Darren Kavanagh Dublin

Dara Snell Wicklow

Cassin stated ” The Team announced is the best prepared Team he has ever worked with.We are really looking forward to the Competition.We play Austria in our first game followed by games against England,Ukraine and Finland. We should really make the Semi-Finals which will help us achieve points towards our qualification for the Paralympics in London in 2012.

Group A	PL	W	L	D	GF	GA	PTS	Group B	PL	W	L	D	GF	GA	PTS
Denmark	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Australia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Netherlands	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	England	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
SCOTLAND	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Finland	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Spain	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Rep. Ireland	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Russia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Ukraine	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

GROUP STAGES FIXTURES & RESULTS

Tuesday 17th August:	Australia	v	Rep. Ireland	Group B	1.00pm
	England	v	Finland	Group B	5.00pm
	SCOTLAND	v	Denmark	Group A	7.30pm

Wednesday 18th August:	Russia	v	Spain	Group A	10.30am
	Ukraine	v	Australia	Group B	1.00pm
	Rep. Ireland	v	England	Group B	5.00pm
	Netherlands	v	SCOTLAND	Group A	7.30pm

Thursday 19th August:	Denmark	v	Spain	Group A	1.00pm
	Netherlands	v	Russia	Group A	7.30pm

Friday 20th August:	Finland	v	Australia	Group B	10.30am
	Rep. Ireland	v	Ukraine	Group B	1.00 pm

Saturday 21st August:	Russia	v	Denmark	Group A	10.30am
	Spain	v	SCOTLAND	Group A	1.00pm

Sunday 22nd August:	Ukraine	v	Finland	Group B	10.30am
	Australia	v	England	Group B	1.00pm
	Spain	v	Netherlands	Group A	5.00pm

Monday 23rd August:	SCOTLAND	v	Russia	Group A	10.30am
	Finland	v	Rep. Ireland	Group B	1.00pm
	England	v	Ukraine	Group B	5.00pm
	Denmark	v	Netherlands	Group A	7.30pm

SEMI FINALS FIXTURES & RESULTS

Wednesday 25th August:	3rd Group A	v	4th Group B	Match V	TBC
	3rd Group B	v	4th Group A	Match W	TBC

Thursday 26th August:	Winner Group A	v	Runner-up Group B	Match X	TBC
	Winner Group B	v	Runner-up Group A	Match Y	TBC

POSITIONAL PLAY-OFF FIXTURES & RESULTS

Friday 27th August:	5th Group A	v	5th Group B	Match A (9th & 10th place)	TBC
	Runner Up Match V	v	Runner Up Match W	Match B (7th & 8th place)	TBC
	Winner Match V	v	Winner Match W	Match C (5th & 6th place)	TBC
	Runner Up Match X	v	Runner Up Match Y	Match D (3rd & 4th place)	TBC

FINAL FIXTURE & RESULT

Saturday 28th August:

Winner Match X

Winner Match Y

FINAL

TBC

Info Source - Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland - www.cpsi.ie

Info Source - Scottish Football Association - http://www.scottishfa.co.uk

Scully and Keane have PB’s on first day of World Championships

Brenda Hopkins — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 07:00:03 +0000

James Scully

The Irish Team got off to a solid start today at the 2010 IPC Swimming World Championships in Eindhoven.

First into action was Dublin’s James Scully at his first major championship event in the Men’s S5 50m Freestyle. Finishing in a time of 38.87, Scully finished 4th in his heat and 10th overall. His time was a personal best and indicates strong form ahead of his other events later in the week.

Clontarf’s Ellen Keane made her first appearance at the Championships in the Womens S9 100m Butterfly. Keane had a solid start with a personal best time of 1.15.74 to finish 3rd in her heat and 12th overall. Keane returns to action in two events tomorrow in the 200m IM and 100m Breastroke.

Tyrone’s Johnny Cummings is also in action tomorrow in the SB5 100m Breaststroke.

Full details of Irish results and times of competition are available at by clicking here.

For the first time, all the action from the World Championships will be streamed live on www.paralympicsport.tv

Further competition information is available on the official competition website www.wcswimming2010.com

To read more about Paralympic Swimming athletes, check out the all new full biography section of the IPC’s website at http://www.paralympic.org/Athletes/Athlete_Biographies/.

To celebrate the Irish teams participation at the event, PCI with the support of the Irish Sports Council and Renault Ireland have produced a video profile of Paralympic Swimming in Ireland it is available on www.youtube.com/paralympiccouncil

he Irish team comprises eight athletes, across a range of disability groups, who will compete in the following events:

Matthew Bell, Newtownards, Co. Down

S14/SB14 Class - 100m Backstroke, 100m Breaststroke, 200m Freestyle

Stephen Campbell, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone

S11 Class - 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 400m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke & 100m Butterfly

Jonathan Cummings, Coalisland, Co. Tyrone

S6/SB5 Class - 100m Freestyle, 100m Breaststroke & 100m Backstroke

James Hamilton, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim

S14/SB14 Class - 100m Backstroke, 100m Breaststroke, 200m FreestyleEllen Keane , Clontarf, Dublin,

S9/SB8/SM9 Class - 100m Breaststroke, 100m Butterfly & 200m Individual Medley

Gina Lourens , (Resident South Africa),

S8 Class - 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 400m Freestyle & 5km Open Water

Jonathan McGrath , Killaloe, Co. Clare

S8 Class - 400m Freestyle

James Scully, Ratoath, Co. Meath

S5 Class - 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle & 200m Freestyle

Info Source - Paralympic Council of Ireland - www.pcireland.ie

Luke Evans wins FAI International Footballer of the Year Award

Brenda Hopkins — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 08:40:09 +0000

Ireland’s CP Footballer Luke Evans (Dublin) was last night presented with the Football Association of Ireland’s International Footballer of the Year award in the Football for All category.

Luke Evans

Evans, has been a core part of the irish CP Team for a no. of years now. He competed in his first Paralympic Games at Beijng 2008, where the Irish Team finished 6th.

His award was the perfect start to an important few weeks with the team finalising thier preparations for the CPISRA European Championships whcih take place in Glasgow. The team depart from Dublin Airport this coming Sunday evening.

Congratulations to Luke on his award and we wish him and all his team the very best for the European Championships.

Info Source -Paralympic Council of Ireland - www.pcireland.ie