Diarmuid takes on fresh challenge at soccer tournament

Diarmuid Devanney from Sixmilebridge has little spare time these days as he continues his training for two major sporting events set to take place in the coming weeks.

Over the weekend of August 10 and 11, he will be a member of the Irish team that will take part in an international soccer tournament for amputees. “116 amputees will play in the tournament representing Poland, Germany, Belgium, England, Netherlands and Ireland,” Diarmuid told The Clare Champion this week.

The tournament will be attended by the president of the World amputee football Federation, Rick Hoffman from the US and by the founder of the association, 82-year-old Don Bennett from New York, explained Simon Baker, founder and chairman of the Irish Association and organiser of the tournament, which will take place at UL.
Diarmuid is the only Clare man on the Irish team.

More than seven years ago, Diarmuid had his leg amputated after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma. He met up with Simon Baker through a neighbour and started going to training, which has led to his selection on the Irish team.
Last May, he was a member of a team of four which represented the Irish association that set a new world record. In the Barrington’s Hospital Great Limerick marathon relay, they took part on a set of crutches and on one leg without the use of their prosthetic limbs.

Mr Baker says the football tournament is  about highlighting amputee football.

“We hope to start a youth squad after this tournament, which will take place on the all-weather pitches at UL.” The opening ceremony will take place at 10am on August 10 and the tournament will conclude the next day.”
Devanney will have little time to recover as, once the tournament is over, attention will switch to the Adare to Survive Challenge, which will take place at the Equestrian Centre on September 29.

“Amputee sport isn’t just about kicking a ball. We have done the marathon. We are entering a team to do the Adare to Survive military-style obstacle course. The team members will take part in this with a crutch and without their prosthetic limb. The aim is to get through all the obstacles, from the 10 foot wall to the water obstacle, kicking a ball over all the obstacles. If we can get out and do it, then no one should have an excuse,” said Simon.

Amongst the challenges that Diarmuid has completed in recent years are a 10k in aid of hospice funding and the Marie Keating Foundation 5k.
The Irish Amputee Football Association [IAFA] was set up in 2011.  The aim of the association is to develop a national Irish league for amputees and promote and develop the sport of amputee football.