Dungloe man James Boyle is part of the Irish Amputee Football squad that is in Mexico for the 2018 Amputee Football World Cup, which kicks off this weekend.
Ireland face the hosts Mexico in their opening game on Saturday in San Juan del Los Lagos and midfielder Boyle, capped 34 times for his country, is one of the key players in Nick Harrison’s squad.
Boyle is one of only three players who has been involved with the Irish Amputee Football Association since it was formed in 2011.
Since making his Irish debut against Poland in 2012, he has become the country’s top scorer and this year he lined out for Bohemians in the first IAFA National League. He hit 20 goals and goes into the World Cup in excellent form.
At the last World Cup, Boyle netted goals against Kenya and Uzbekistan.
Manager Harrison is hoping for a successful tournament.
“The fact that the players are playing League football and training every week makes this a strong squad. The team are fitter and technically better because of playing in the League,” Harrison said.
Ireland play Mexico in the opening match of the tournament, and Harrison expects a partisan atmosphere to kick-off the tournament.
He said: ”We expect a big crowd. Mexico look like a good team. They’re very strong and quick.”
With two teams advancing from each group, hopes are high that the side reach the knockout stages.
The Irish manager said: “We’ve changed the way we play, and we are hopeful of creating a few shocks. If we got to the semi-finals it would be brilliant.”
Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers: James Conroy (Bohemians), Fergal Duffy (Cork City), Justin Guiney (Shamrock Rovers)
Defenders: Simon Baker (Shamrock Rovers), Eanna Durham (Newcastle United), Garry Hoey (Bohemians), Stuart McEvoy (Shamrock Rovers)
Midfielders: Stefan Balog (Bohemians), James Boyle (Bohemians), Neil Hoey (Bohemians), Kevan O’Rourke (Shamrock Rovers)
Forwards: Chris McElligott (Shamrock Rovers), Ruairi Murphy (Cork City)
2018 Amputee Football World Cup Fixtures (All times local)
27/10: Mexico v Ireland, San Juan de Los Lagos, KO: 20.00
29/10: England v Ireland, San Juan de Los Lagos, KO: 17.00
30/10: Ireland v Uruguay, San Juan de Los Lagos, KO: 20.00