European Wheelchair Rugby Championships Qualifiers

Neerpelt, Belgium 15-17 October 2004

 

It proved to be a very successful trip for the Irish Wheelchair Rugby team when they  travelled to Neerpelt, Belgium, last weekend to compete in the qualifiers for the European Wheelchair Rugby Championships.  The Irish team were in a group with the Czech Republic, France and Norway and the aim was to finish in the top two and to claim the final two places for the European Championships that will be held in Denmark in 2005.  Anyone who has seen the game of Wheelchair Rugby during the recent televised coverage of the Paralympics from Athens will know just how tough and physical a sport it can be.  Ireland played two matches on Friday, the first against the French and they had a comfortable victory by 49 points to 11.  Later on Friday they lined out against the Czech Republic.  There is never very much between these two teams when they clash on the court and it proved to be so on this occasion as well but after a very tough match the Irish lads came out on top by 4 points, 35-31.  They had two matches to play on the Saturday as well and Ireland started the day in style with a well earned win against the unbeaten Norwegian team by 38 points to 17.  When they lined out against the French for the second time, Ireland were firm favourites to make the final and to claim the first of the two spots for Denmark and this was easily achieved with an eighteen point victory, 33-15.  Norway were a different team when they lined out against the Irish in the final on Sunday afternoon and were fully intent on getting their revenge for the loss of the day before, putting pressure on Ireland from the throw in.  There was very little between the teams in the first half but the superior fitness and ball handling skills of the Irish team wore down their Norwegian counterparts in the second period and Ireland finished with a flourish leaving the score at the end 37-19 in favour of the boys in green.

Below is the Irish Wheelchair Rugby Squad that qualified for Denmark 2005

They are, from left to right:

Standing: John McMillan (Antrim), Martin Baxter (Donegal), Jimmy Philips (Dublin), Nicholas Sweeney (Dublin)

Seated: Stephen Hickey (Dublin), John McCarthy (Cork), Peter Barron (Coach, Meath), Craig McMillan (Antrim), Alan Lynch (Louth), Micheál Ó Flatharta (Captain, Galway), Michael Hickey (Tipperary), Ray Sweeney (Dublin) and Garrett Culliton (Laois)