Rovers set to play host to first round of the new IAFA League
SHAMROCK Rovers Amputee team coach Stuart McSweeney has been hugely impressed by the commitment his team has shown ahead of the start to the new Irish Amputee Football Association (IAFA) National League this coming Saturday.
The Hoops will welcome Cork City and Bohemians to Roadstone for the start of the campaign which will run through to November, with the three teams involved playing every three to four weeks.
Shamrock Rovers' Amputee team head coach Stuart McSweeney and player Alan Wall at Tallaght Stadium
The sides will also compete in a cup competition in what is sure to be a very important year for the development of the game in Ireland.
“Since we were first approached two months ago, we’ve been training every week,” McSweeney told The Echo.
“The commitment from the lads is unbelievable to the point that, last week with the storm, we had to call training off and the guys asked for additional training this week which is just fantastic.
“It’s now got 30 players registered for this season which is fantastic. We’ve had one or two other expressions of interest in getting involved and, within the Shamrock Rovers squad, it is important for people to note that we do have a mix of players.
“We have international players, but we have some new players coming back into the game who’ve played the game many years ago and they’ve very much gelled into the squad.
“It’s important that we’re are open to players coming in and getting involved in the game.
“We played Bohemians two weeks ago and Bohemians is always a special occasion.
“There was no difference between these guys playing and when the first team play. It just had that magic about it, it had that intensity.
Special occasion
“It was fantastic and we’re really looking forward to hosting Bohemians and Cork this weekend. It’s going to be a special occasion to kick it all off,” he said.
Shamrock Rovers player Alan Wall echoed these sentiments, saying “Now a lot more people can come and watch us play.
“This is just the start for the Irish Amputee team. With all the players that are coming in, they’ll be wrecking themselves to play for the Ireland team.
“This is where you can show how good you are to play for the Ireland amputee team,” he said.
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