Irish Deaf Water Polo team confirmed for Deaflympics in Taiwan

Thirteen players will represent Ireland at the forthcoming Deaflympics, to be held in Taipei, Taiwan from 31st August to 17th September 2009. Commenting on the announcement, IDSA President, Laurence Coogan, said ‘We wish all our water polo players the very best of luck’.

The team is led by Team Manager, Sean Herlihy and Coach, Dave Fitzgerald. Dave said ‘After the success of 7th European Deaf Waterpolo Championship at Hungary in 2006, where they won the bronze, the team have since developed to a higher level. The team is now a potential contender for the gold medal at the forthcoming 21st Deaflympics in Taiwan.’

The Deaflympics are Olympic style sports events which elite deaf and hard of hearing athletes take part in. Approximately 3000 athletes, from over seventy countries, will compete at the Taipei Games in twenty different sports.

The Irish team comprises two track athletes, four badminton players; a squad of twenty one footballers, two swimmers and a squad of thirteen water polo players (including two swimmers).