Ireland building back better

As the world continues to fight against the pandemic and the impact on football, Ireland are showing that not only will football return, but we will come back better and stronger.

Ireland recently hosted the Danish Elite Development Academy for two international friendly fixtures, have recently launched a new CP Football league and will soon host an international friendly tournament with Scotland and Northern Ireland.

CP Football development Academy (Ireland) v Danish Elite Development Academy

26th of September saw the return of international club fixtures to the AUL grounds in Dublin. 

A CP Development Academy (Ireland) side took on the Danish elite Academy. The Irish side fielded some of their intermediate players due to the fixture of the national side the following day. This proved to be a great insight for these very young inexperienced players who acquitted themselves well on the day.

Ireland started as the brighter of the two sides and were playing some nice football early on in the first 10-15 minutes after some early pressure a penalty was awarded to the Irish and calmly slotted away by Dillon O’Brien.

Denmark then began to apply pressure with Ireland counter attacking in spells. The first half ended 1-0 to the Irish academy.

Substitutions were then made by both academies for the second half.  Ireland conceded an early goal as a result of a poor pass at the back followed shortly after by a well worked goal from Denmark it was now 1-2.  

Further substitutions followed emptying the bench. Ireland found it very hard to get out of their half and it was only in the dying minutes where the Irish midfield  able to present any real threats in the oppositions territory.  But a swift counter and some smart football in the meantime lead to the Danish making it 1-3 with a deflected shot. 

The game finished in high spirits and all players on both sides enjoyed the game if not the result. 

It was great to see two academies play out an exciting and fair play minded game.

Ireland CP Team v Danish Elite Development Academy

In what was the their first game in 18 months, the Ireland Cerebral Palsy Team overcame Denmark 4-2 in the AUL Complex in an international friendly.

Ireland started the game well and went ahead in the 6th minute with a strike from debutant Andre Paval. Things got even better when they increased their lead through a shot from Ryan Nolan. 

In a busy opening period, Ireland had a total of eight shots on target in the first half, while Irish goalkeeper Mark Barry had been nothing more than a spectator but when called upon stood up to the mark.

The home team started the second half by conceding a corner, the cross was picked up by Paval, and the Irish quick broke to create a 2 v 1 situation. Paval did not need the assistance of young Charlie Byrne and rolled the ball into the corner of the net for his second goal. 

With 17 minutes gone in the second half, Ireland led by four. Captain Joe Markey unleashed a fine strike from 20 yards that flew into the back of the net to give them a commanding lead.

Denmark did get a consolation goal back through a penalty very late on. Unfortunately new goal keeper Mark McGrath couldn’t keep out the spot kick.

There was to be more late drama, late into added time Ireland gave away their second penalty of the game. Again, Denmark rolled the ball into the bottom corner.

Ireland won this one though and will take a lot of confidence from it, including from the first appearances of Paval, Sean Markey, Adam Free, Charlie Byrne and Richard Carroll.

Next up for Sean Moore's team is a Home Nations tournament in October.

Starting 7: Mark Barry, Joe Markey, Carl McKee, Ryan Nolan, Josh Treacy, Andre Paval, Charlie Byrne

New Ireland CP Football League

Ireland's Senior/Intermediate League kicked off recently with four teams competing in their first set of fixtures. Hoested by the CP Football Development Academy (Ireland), the new league provides a domestic competitive playing opportunity to sustain the participation of players, develop talented players for the future and attract more players to be part of the beautiful game.

If you would like to know more or get involved, you can get in touch with the CP Football Development Academy