Winters chasing Euro bronze today at Limerick
Trim man Thomas Winters has helped Ireland's Powerchair football team to a memorable tournament at the inaugural European Nations Cup in LImerick where he will be in action today in the bronze medal game after defeat by France in last night's semi-final.
Ireland will meet Belgium in the third-place play-off while France will look to complete their perfect performance when they tackle England in the final at the University of Limerick.
Irish coach Nick Harrison can be proud of the performance his side produced in the semi-final – particularly in scoring against France as the French defence have been formidable this week.
Aoife McNicholl scored Ireland’s goal against the top-ranked French and that will give the Irish a lot of heart heading into their play-off encounter with Belgium – who beat Ireland 2-0 in a very keenly contested tie on Saturday. Two goals in three minutes midway through that game was all that separated Ireland and Belgium.
Saturday's morning game against England was a tremendous clash and Ireland gave their more experienced rivals a real scare. Although England led 3-0 at the break the Irish pulled one back through Thomas Donogher and pushed hard to grab a breakthrough result before conceding a late fourth.
“I can’t fault the effort we’ve put in today and it was a good display against England - they're a strong side. We were great against Belgium and it was a really spirited performance against France in the semi-final,” said Harrison.
“I was so proud of them against France. We scored – and only us and England have done that against them.”
IRELAND
Thomas Winters, Aoife McNicholl, Thomas Donogher, Emer O’Sullivan, Patrick Flanagan, Emmet Daly, Keith Hayes, Neil Sheehan.
RESULTS
THURSDAY
Ireland 1-0 Switzerland
FRIDAY
Ireland 1-1 Denmark,
Ireland 0-14 France,
SATURDAY
Ireland 1-4 England,
Ireland 0-2 Belgium,
Semi-final: Ireland 1-16 France,
FIXTURES
SUNDAY
Third-Fourth Play-off: Ireland v Belgium, (1.30pm)
Final: France v England, (3pm)