The Irish Minifootball Association is delighted to announce the names of the players that will be making the trip to Crete next month as the Ireland team competes in the miniEURO event for the first time.
The 14 men who will represent the country are:
Aaron Kelly
Mark Cooney
Anthony Duggan
Stephen Mullarkey
Padraig Feeney
Shane Brown
Chris Daly
Ian Donworth
Donal Patterson
Connor Buckley
Fran Lee
Mark O’Sullivan
Robert Mulligan
Emmet Switzer
Many of these players were present on Sunday as they were guests of the UK Minifootball Association in a series of training games involving England, Wales and Scotland.
The team held their own against the England A side, losing by the odd goal in five, before drawing with Wales and thumping Scotland by six goals to two.
According to IMA President Declan Ford such a showing augers well for the time when the tournament kicks off. “The boys did superbly,” he said. “The England team they played was extremely strong, comprising many of the players that are their national champions and they impressed everyone with their adaptability and commitment throughout the day.
“We are absolutely certain that we can go and cause an upset.”
Ireland’s first game sees them face a tough start against last year’s runners up, Moldova, before they take on Montenegro and Israel.