Irish Representation in the 2013 Deaflympics

This July will see the 22nd Deaflympic Summer Games being held in Bulgaria, with Ireland being represented by a team of Football and Badminton players. 22 players were chosen for the Men’s Football panel earlier in the year, and last week, 20 of these players were selected to take a place on the Irish Team. These players hail from a multitude of counties nationwide and from Northern and Southern Ireland. 3 male Badminton players will join the footballers in Bulgaria in the endeavor to bring medals home: Shane Keogh, Johnny Corcoran and Aidan Connor.

Aidan Connor Johnny Corcoran Shane Keogh

On Wed the 24th of April a live international draw was held to group the Football Teams. Ireland has been placed in Group C against: Nigeria, Japan and European favorites Russia, with matches beginning in Pravets on the 25th of July.

The Badminton players on the Irish Team were selected following the 24th National Deaf Badminton Championships on the 24th of March this year. The Deaflympic Badminton tournaments will be held in Sofia, Bulgaria from the 27th of July the 2nd of August.

When asked about the Draw, Manager of the Irish Deaf Men’s Football Team Thomas Coyle Stated: ”It’s a tough draw but a challenge Ireland is looking forward to. It’s a privilege to qualify for the Deaflympics and we are working as hard as possible to give it our best shot.”

Joseph Watson _2

The Deaflympics is the second longest running multi-sport event in the world, dating back to Paris in 1924. This competition is aimed towards Deaf and Hard of Hearing participants and gives these elite athletes an opportunity to compete at an international level in a competition free of communication barriers. All signalling throughout the Summer Games will be visual rather than audio, International Sign Language will be used by competitors, managers and supporters alike and the prohibiting of hearing aids and cochlear implants places all athletes on a level playing field.

For more information about the Irish Deaf Team, the 2013 Deaflympics or any other queries, please contact admin@deafsportsireland.com or see www.deafsportsireland.com.