Ireland Down Syndrome Futsal Team Victory Over USA

Photo Credit – FAI Ireland

This match came a year after the Irish team first assembled and represented their country at the European Championships in Italy. Under the guidance of Paul Smyth, they faced the American team, who were making their international debut. 

The Irish team’s rapid development was clear from the start, with Finn Harps’ Hughie Sweeney scoring six seconds in. A minute later, Cork City’s Cian Kelleher made it 2-0, and Kiegan Taylor of Oxford Bulls added a third. By halftime, Ireland led 5-0, with goals from Cork City’s Sean Toolin and Bohemians’ Fergus Cosgrave. 

Despite the score, American goalkeeper Liam Mac Curtin made numerous saves. In the second half, Kelleher scored again, Sweeney added two more, Taylor netted his second, and Kelleher completed a hat-trick plus one. 

The U.S. team showed resilience, with Brighton Ditter forcing two saves from Irish goalkeeper David Crawford. Mac Curtin, now playing outfield, scored the USA’s first Down Syndrome Futsal goal and quickly added a second. Dundalk’s Michael McCloy scored the final goal, ending an entertaining match. 

Ireland squad: Fergus Cosgrove (Bohemians), David Crawford (Finn Harps), Josh Hennessy (Shelbourne), Cian Kelleher (Cork City), Jamie Linden (Dundalk),  Michael McCloy (Dundalk), Daniel O’Reilly (Finn Harps), Hughie Sweeney (Finn Harps), Keigan Taylor (Oxford Bulls), Sean Toolin (Cork City) 

Coaching Staff: 
Paul Smyth (Head Coach) 
Sean Mulligan (Assistant Coach) 
Dylan Geraghty (Assistant Coach) 
Tessa Van Heerden (Team Manager) 

United States of America squad: Kayden Buffington (California), Brighton Ditter (Maryland), Nicky Gutierrez (Florida),  Evelyn Lacey (New Jersey),  Liam Mac Curtin (Pennsylvania), Dashiell Meier (California), Caitlin Trevor (London, England), Cameron Walker (Oregan) 

Coaching Staff: 
Joslynn Bigelow (Head Coach) 
Ella McGahey (Assistant Coach) 
Brian Mac Curtin (Assistant Coach) 
Kelly Trevor (Team Manager)