The Republic of Ireland CP team had a stunning start to the 2018 IFCPF European Championships in the Netherlands after defeating Denmark 8-0 in their opening match.

25th Jul 2018

Striker Dillon Sheridan (pictured above) won the Golden Boot at last year’s 2017 IFCPF CP Football World Championships in Argentina scoring ten goals, and he picked up that form on Wednesday afternoon scoring four of Ireland’s eight goals.

Paul Breen’s side dominated the Group A tie from the opening kick-off, and took the lead in the ninth minute through Sheridan. The opening goal opened the floodgates, with Sheridan scoring twice more and captain Gary Messett finding the back of the net in the subsequent ten minutes.

Sheridan made it 5-0 just before half-time with his fourth goal of the game.

Despite the excellent first half performance, Breen’s side continued to pile the pressure on the Danes in the second half. Ryan Nolan scored from the penalty spot to make it 6-0, before Luke Evans and debutant Darragh Byrne scored in the final ten minutes to cap off an impressive performance.

Ireland return to action on Sunday morning (11am Irish time), with their second game of the tournament against Germany in the KNVB Campus.

Republic of Ireland: Mark Barry, Darragh Byrne, Luke Evans, Aaron Tier, Gary Messett (capt), Dillon Sheridan, Peter Cotter

Subs Used: Oisin Merritt, Ryan Nolan, Sam Carroll. Darragh Snell. Darragh Ruane

Ireland’s Cerebral Palsy team is co-funded by the FAI, Paralympics Ireland and Sport Ireland.