It’s been a long-time since Italia ’90, but it seems we finally have a World Cup campaign to get excited about.
Ireland are competing for the first time ever at the Medical World Cup in Long Beach, California and, get this, have already beaten both Brazil and Germany on their way to a quarter-final clash against the Czech Republic on Thursday.
They confirmed their place after a 1-1 draw with Ukraine on Tuesday.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man, @Shyner0! @EuromedicIRL pic.twitter.com/FCY6D2QZmO
— IrishMedicalFootball (@Irelandmedical) June 30, 2015
The Irish have been making names for themselves over in the States, wearing black armbands for the victims of the Berkeley tragedy and working closely with charities My1000hours, Aware and Pieta House.
“All of us are practising doctors,” Dr Tommy Fitzgerald, a Rathfarnham GP and the team’s centre-half, told the Medical Independent.
“A third of the panel has come from St Vincent’s University Hospital, which has a football team that plays in the Leinster Senior League. Consultant Physician Dr John Seery set up the team and he’s been involved in the Irish medical soccer scene for years.
Shouting out the anthem!!! COYBIG!
Posted by Lets Play Ball on Sunday, 28 June 2015
“All of us play together regularly and are interested in sports. Everyone is very positive and enthusiastic about the competition and we all feel sport is a good recreational activity, with lots of benefits, both physical and mental.”
Interestingly, two outfield players must be over 40 at any given time during the match, and two must be over 35. The tournament’s organisers can ask players medical questions at half-time, while players must show a copy of their passport, their degree and a photo prior to the tournament.
The lads are tweeting regularly, follow them @irelandmedical.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
RELATED ARTICLES
MORE FROM JOE
MORE FROM JOE
