Ballina native Fergal Birrane, who plays for Sligo Rovers, has been called up to the Irish DS futsal team for the SUDS European Championships in Italy this summer.

International call-up for Mayo futsal player

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Ballina native and Sligo Rovers player Fergal Birrane has been called up to the Irish DS futsal team for the SUDS European Championships in Italy this summer.

Fergal, a big Liverpool fan, is the only Connaught-based player in the Irish squad, joining team-mates from Dublin, Cork, Donegal, Louth, Armagh, Derry, Meath and Waterford.

Reacting to his selection, Fergal said: “I love futsal. I'm so excited going to Italy to play for Ireland with my friends.”

The selection process involved assessment that started in 2024 before the final assessment on February 9 last at TU Dublin's Blanchardstown campus.

The SUDS European Championships, for athletes with Down Syndrome, will take place in Ferrara, Italy, from June 15 to 21.

Down Syndrome Ireland and the FAI's Football for All programme have been in collaboration since early 2023, and the Irish national team has already excelled in two international events, facing Italy, Portugal and Turkiye in 2023 and the USA in 2024.

Participation in these events raised the profile of both the sport and the abilities of the Irish players with Down Syndrome, leading to the development of a tailored grassroots programme within the League of Ireland structure. Currently, two major LOI blitzes are held per year, and some inter-club matches are in the pipeline too.

The 11 players selected to play in the SUDS European Championships represent six Down Syndrome Ireland branches, and Fergal and his team-mates are eagerly looking forward to the tournament this summer.

“Can't wait,” the Ballina man said with a grin.

Keep an eye out for local fundraisers to help Fergal and a chaperone get to Italy for the championships.

Fergal pictured in his Irish training gear.
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