Creggan’s big hearted James McClean helps out Derry’s Oxford Bulls team and now the team has secured its first match. PIX BY KEVIN MORRISON
A team of Derry footballers with Down’s Syndrome is to play its first competitive match after a video plea featuring Republic of Ireland player James McClean.
Winger McClean, from the Creggan, got in touche with the manager of Oxford Bulls after a social media plea to find possible opponents.
A video with James went viral on the internet and the team have been inundated with offers.
Delighted manager Kevin Morrison said the response had been so good the team could play every week for two years.
“Our first competitive match will now take place in Sion Mills on 24 April,” said Mr Morrison.
One player’s parent, Seamus Breslin, said the football had had a great impact on his son.
“He finishes school on a Friday and then plans his whole weekend around football,” said Mr Breslin.
“He absolutely loves it.”
Another player’s parent, John Morris, said that since McClean’s visit, his son had become a star with people taking pictures of him in local shops.
“With James McClean coming down, they’ve become famous,” said Mr Morris.
“The exposure has been unbelievable.
“Manchester City, Liverpool FC and UEFA have even been in contact.”
The Oxford Bulls club was established with the help of the Foyle Down’s Syndrome Trust, which provides a wide range of activities for young people and adults with the condition.
A mother, whose 10-year-old son plays for the team, said the club had given her 10-year-old son confidence and helped him make friends.
“They’ve been treated like heroes and we couldn’t believe the story was even in French Canadian papers,” she said.
Tags: