Wicklow quartet shine for Ireland
WITH a game to spare, the Republic of Ireland Cerebral Palsy team have already booked their place in the semi-finals of the CP European Championships.
Co. Wicklow has four representatives on the panel - captain Gary Messett, Ryan Nolan and Sam Carroll from Bray with Arklow’s Darragh Snell completing the quartet.
They sealed their last four spot on Monday evening and are now just one match away from a medal but still have one more group match to fulfil - a clash with the Netherlands that will decide who tops the group.
Ireland opened their campaign on Wednesday last with an emphatic 8-0 success over Denmark. Messett started the tie with the other Wicklow men called from the bench during the match and both Messett and Nolan found the net.
On Sunday, they again flexed their attacking muscles as they downed Germany 5-1. Messett was on target as the only Wicklow man to start. Carroll and Snell would again be introduced later on.
Monday evening saw Messett and co. take on a stubborn Northern Ireland side but with Messett, Carroll, Nolan and Snell all handed starting berths, the Boys in Green recorded a 4-0 triumph to make it 17 goals in three games. Messett kept up his fantastic form in front of goal with one of the strikes of the tournament to make it 1-0 and Nolan would double the lead early in the second period to set Ireland on their way to victory.
Today (August 1st), Ireland will lock horns with Netherlands. With both sides already guaranteed top two finishes, their meeting will determine who tops the group. Should Ireland pip Netherlands to first, they’ll then face the runners-up from Group B on Friday. Both semi-finals will kick off at 7pm.
We had a chat with three of the Wicklow quartet about their hopes for the competition:
“I think we can definitely get a medal but we can win it. There’s no reason why we can’t win it. If we don’t come home with a bronze medal at least then the lads would be very disappointed. We should be getting a bronze medal at least.”
Nolan’s playing time will be limited. With the lowest grading of cerebral palsy allowed to qualify for CP football, Nolan must split his time with the pitch with fellow striker Dillon Sheridan who qualifies with the same level as Nolan. Even though only one can take to the field at a time, it drives Nolan on rather than discourages him.
“It’s good because this time there’s only two of us. There used to be three of us. It’s between the two of us and having the competition between us, it drives us on. The two of us are fighting for the one spot and we’re fighting to get that starting spot. I’m happy. It makes me play better and we’re both on form. The two of us will bounce off each other and keep scoring goals and I know that this will be our best tournament.”
As for his bet with his dad, with six games guaranteed for the Boys in Green, Ryan’s dad is expecting six goals. As for Ryan, he is expecting a medal.
“I’ve a bet with my ol’ lad! There’s six games so my dad wants at least six goals out of me. We’ve a little money wager on it.
“We have to keep our heads and keep focused on what’s ahead and if we do that, we can definitely go far.
Ryan sums up his fellow Co. Wicklow men in one word: Sam Carroll: Committed. Gary Messett: Legend. Darragh Snell: Sicknote. thought it would be.
“It’s great having Ryan there he takes care of me a good bit.”
Despite being fond of Nolan, Carroll will be hoping to get all the game time he can at Nolan’s expense. The 18-year old has worked his way up to this stage and he can see the increase in quality between the senior side and the underage ones.
“IjustwanttoplayasmuchasI can and do what the coaches are telling me to do.
“I’ve been playing with underage CP teams and the step-up in standard is unbelievable. The fitness is so different as well because they’re tracking our fitness as well at this level which I find much better. You push yourself more.”
Sam sums up his fellow Co. Wicklow men in one word: Ryan Nolan: Workhorse. Gary Messett: Legend. Darragh Snell: Bogger.