Transplant Sport Ireland’s Soccer Team played their second friendly match against Team Northern Ireland in the Uilidah Playing Fields, Belfast recently and came out on top once again.
It was a pulsating match between two very competitive sides, with both teams giving it their all. Keith Daly (Double Lung/Dublin), pounced on a defensive mistake to put Team Ireland 1-0 up early.
Northern Ireland settled into the game and soon equalised. Then two quick fire goals from John Brennan, (Heart/Louth) and Steven Middleton (Liver/Dublin) put Ireland into a commanding 3-1 lead.
Northern Ireland was not giving up and scored their second goal to close the gap, before Mike Keohane (Liver/Cork) made it 4-2 at the break. With both teams making a few changes, the goals kept coming and a super strike from Paul Hackett (Kidney / Tipperary), increased Team Ireland‘s lead.
But Northern Ireland were not going down easily, and pulled another goal back to leave the score 5-3 before Jayson Flynn (Liver / Dublin) scored a cracker of a goal on his Irish debut to leave the final score 6-3 to Team Ireland.
This was a great workout for both teams as they make final preparations for the British Transplant Games at the end of July.
It was a powerful testament to the success of organ donation. To keep up to date on Ireland’s progress, visit www.soccertransplantteamireland.ie or to be part of Transplant Sport Ireland, you can [email protected] or leave a message on transplantsportireland.ie. The Team have one simple request to everyone – to please consider carrying an Organ Donor Card and Have the conversation – Say YES to Organ Donation.
Back Row L to R: Keith Daly (Double Lung/Dublin), Owen Crudge (Kidney/Cork), James Harney (Heart/Tipperary), Paschal Kavanagh (Kidney/Tipperary), Mike Keohane (Liver/Cork), John Brennan (Heart/Louth), Paul Hackett (Kidney / Tipperary), Mel Cox (Liver/Fermanagh), Darragh Stapleton (Liver/Dublin)
Front Row L to R: Andrew Gallagher (Kidney / Louth), Jahran O Garro (Dialysis/ Dublin), Steven Middleton (Liver/ Dublin), Alan Gleeson (Captain) (Kidney/Kerry), Jayson Flynn (Liver/Dublin), Mick O’Shea (Heart/Cork), Patrick O’ Driscoll (Liver/Cork), Ciaran Tiernan (Liver/Cavan)
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