‘We want people to say wow 
when they see them play!’

Two inspirational young footballers from Meath who both had limbs amputated will showcase their talents while flying the flag for Ireland at a European soccer camp for junior amputees in Poland next month.

Twelve-year-old Jack Douglas from Moynalvey and eight-year-old Leo Smith from Kilmessan are among the six junior players chosen to represent Ireland at the European Amputee Football Federation's camp in Poland on 6th July.
Jack, a son of Siobhan and Lindon Douglas is a fifth class pupil at Moynalvey NS and underwent his leg amputation when he was nine. The difficult decision to amputate came after seven years of operations to try to save his leg following an accident at home involving a ride-on-lawnmower. Jack was just two when the accident happened and both legs were badly damaged from the shin up to the knees and just above. His mother Siobhan explained that while his left leg had mostly tissue damage, his right leg had bone damage.
“They tried for years to do different things for his right leg but nothing worked. Jack was in an out of hospital and we felt there was no point years more of operations if it wasn't working so we made the decision along with the hospital to amputate. We spent seven years trying so we gave it every chance.”
Those surgeries were very difficult and involved Jack having a metal frame attached to his leg for six months to stretch the bone and a cast after that so he had to use his wheelchair or a walking aid. He was also on a lot of pain relief medication.
Cappagh Hospital put Jack in touch with two teenage boys who were also amputees before the operation and this was a huge help for Jack. They told Jack all about the soccer team and Siobhan said they really put his mind at ease about the operation.

12-year-old Jack Douglas shows off his skills

“Jack went into hospital on a Monday, had surgery on Tuesday and was home by Thursday. He recovered well. It was so easy compared to what he would normally be like after surgery. It was hard waking up, he was nervous seeing his leg gone but we knew it was for the best and he was ready for it,” said Siobhan.
Just two weeks after his surgery Jack went to his first soccer training. “Everyone playing had a leg amputated and they were showing him how to do different things with his crutches. He thought it was brilliant and because he was the youngest they took him under their wing. He didn't feel conscious at all.”
Jack has a prosthetic leg that he wears most of the time but takes off for football. Siobhan said being involved with the junior academy has been huge for him and he is really looking forward to the camp in Poland, after taking part in the first one in Dublin last year.  “He took to the football like a duck to water. He is very strong and fit and determined.”
Also travelling to Poland is Leo Smith (8) from Kilmessan who has been involved with the academy for three years.  When Leo was born, his left arm was non-viable after a clot blocked the main artery and it was amputated when he was just two weeks old. A clot blocked the main artery to his leg but doctors managed to bring it back to life. He also had clots to his brain which dissolved themselves. 
His mum Lisa Rooney Smith explained Leo has had 14 different operations on his arm since then as the bone continue to grow and needs to be pared back every year.
“Leo attends Cappagh Hospital and he had seen the senior amputee team there practising. It was just before the London Olympics in 2012 that we became aware they were trying to set up a junior academy and Leo got involved three years ago.”
“It is great for Leo to spend time with other children like himself. Jack is his hero. He thinks he is so cool.”

Eight-year-old Leo Smith in action 

Leo, who is a first class pupil in Kilmessan NS loves sport and is great swimmer. He came third in the community games last year and his ambition is to one day represent Ireland in the Paralympics. He also plays hurling with Kilmessan and football with Dunsany and dances with the Boyne School of Dancing.
He will travel to Poland with his dad Jack and is really looking forward to the trip.
Simon Baker founder of the Irish Amputee Football Federation told how proud he is of the boys and all involved with the academy. “We are massively proud of them. The kids of today are the future of our sport tomorrow and to have any future we need a grass roots programme. We want people to say wow when they see them play, not awww, what they are doing is fantastic.”
Jack and Leo will also be involved in an IAFA promotional event in Dublin's Phoenix Park on 1st July.