Growing up in West Cork football always played a significant role in
my life – from quick 15 minute games during school breaks to
competitive matches with my local club I was rarely seen without a
football close by. This was all taken away from me or so I thought, at
the age of 10 when I developed a form of lukemia which affected the
optic nerves in my eyes leaving me with total sight loss in a matter
of weeks.
All of a sudden I wasn’t able to kick a ball, take part in club
matches or even have a simple kick around with my friends. Not only
was my sight gone, but the ability to play football was also robbed
from me.
In 2009 I heard about a blind football session the FAI was holding as
part of their Football For All programme and with some encouragement
from my friends and family I went out and bought my first pair of
football shorts and socks in almost 10 years and attended the session.
I wasn’t sure what to expect but the football contained ball barings
so I had to rely on my ears rather than my eyes to locate and track
the ball. a constint flow of communication needed to be kept up with
both my team mates and coaches to avoid collisions and know where
there was free space to attack and I had to modify my dribbling
technique to be in constant contact and control of the ball. I left
that session sweaty and both mentally and physically drained but I was
buzzing as I had rediscovered the sport I loved!
Both the sport in Ireland and my own football ability has come a long
way since that session in 2009 – we now have three regional centers in
Ireland and we have travelled to club tournaments all over Europe
picking up tips and learning more about the sport with every match we
play. I am also now part of the Irish International team which is
traveling to Romania for a European qualifying tournament in April –
something I thought was never possible back when I first lost my
sight.
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