Ireland finish 6th at Amp Futbol Cup 2015

The IAFA International squad travelled to Warsaw, Poland, to take part in the 4th annual Amp Futbol Cup on September 12th and 13th. In what was a difficult weekend for Ireland the squad recorded losses against Turkey, Italy and France. Turkey ran out winners of the tournament beating Poland in the final 2-1. Spain finished 3rd beating Italy in the 3rd/4th place playoff while France finished above Ireland beating the boys in green 2-1 in the 5th/6th place playoff.

Ireland started the tournament against 2014 champions Turkey. Ireland were simply outclassed by the Turks, ranked 3rd in the World following last year's Amputee Football World Cup, and lost the game 5-0. Despite the scoreline Ireland could take heart from a gutsy performance in which their never say die attitude was obvious from the first to the fiftieth minute. Turkey had beaten Italy 9-1 in the first group game of Group B and were undoubtedly looking to run up a similar scoreline against the Irish. Goals conceded in the first minutes of each half did not help the Irish cause. On a positive note, Irish goalkeeper James Conroy had a stellar performance pulling off a string of fine saves to keep the Turks out and 16 year old Neil Hoey showed no fear when he came on in the second half bullying his way around against experienced and professional Turkish defenders.

Ireland needed at least a point against the Italians to progress to the semi-finals on Sunday and they started the game at a blistering pace. Within the first 10 minutes Ireland were 1-0 up and cruising. Garry Hoey picked out Kevan O'Rourke's run in behind the Italian defence and the Westmeath man's first time finish beat the Italian goalkeeper. Ireland continued to create chances in the first half but couldn't find a second goal. In the second half the Italians improved and slowly but surely took control of the game. Without really troubling James Conroy in the Irish goal they forced Ireland further and further back. The Italians scored from two freekicks, the second late in the game took a deflection and gave Ireland little time to equalize although Kevin Cahillane came agonizingly close when his late strike hit the post. A crushing defeat, one our Irish amputees will have to learn from.

The squad picked themselves up and dusted themselves down for Sunday's 5th/6th place playoff against France. Again it wasn't Ireland's day. The French keeper was in top form and pulled off a string of fine saves. James Boyle was desperately unlucky to have his header, from a Craig Dowling corner, punched off the line by the keeper. Ireland continued to press but couldn't find the net while the French opened the scoring with one of the very few chances they created. In the second half Ireland equalized. James Boyle ran through on goal using his strength to hold off French tacklers. He laid the ball off for Craig Dowling to slot into an empty net. But the French weren't finished, capitalising on a defensive mix-up from Ireland to score late on. Ireland had chances before the final whistle but the French keeper pulled off a cracking save from Garry Hoey, Alan Wall struck narrowly wide from a freekick and Kevin 'Butch' Cahillane came close with a glacing header. Justin Guiney made his debut in goal for the IAFA against France and 16 year old Neil Hoey also featured. The future is bright for this Irish team if they can just turn their performances in results.

Amp Futbol Cup 2015 Results
Group A
Poland 1-0 France
Spain 3-0 France
Poland 2-1 Spain
Group B
Italy 1-9 Turkey
Turkey 5-0 Ireland
Ireland 1-2 Italy
Semi Finals
Poland 3-0 Italy
Turkey 9-0 Spain
5th/6th Place Playoff
Ireland 1-2 France
3rd/4th Place Playoff
Spain 3-0 Italy
Final
Turkey 2-1 Poland