Football
What is Blind and Vision Impaired Football?
Vision Sports Ireland is promoting football as part of the “Football for All” programme run by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). There are opportunities for both partially-sighted players (B2/B3) and for fully-blind (B1) players.
Below you will find details of all our blind and vision impaired football opportunities throughout the county.
B1 Blind Football
A B1 team plays on an artificial pitch outdoors with low-level boards forming walls along the side of the pitch. All players must wear block out goggles so that all are equally blind during play. Sighted assistants call instructions from behind the goals. The ball contains a number of ball bearings and therefore emits a sound as it moves about the pitch. In both cases, the teams play with a goalkeeper with good/normal eyesight.
Vision Impaired Football
Vision Impaired footballers play indoors and there are minimal differences in the rules from those that apply to the standard game of Football. The key difference is that there is a minimum number of B2 players required to be on the pitch at any one time during the game. This game is played using a normal indoor Futsal ball – with high visibility being an option when available.
Programme Information
There are currently the following programmes in place, however we are always recruiting new players.
- Junior Dublin VI/Blind Hub – Weekly training sessions at Inspire Fitness Cabra from 12:00-13:00pm.
- Junior Portlaoise VI/Blind Hub – Fortnightly training sessions at Portlaoise AFC from 11.30-12.30pm.
- Junior Mervue United Hub – Fortnightly training sessions at Mervue United FC 12:00 – 13:00
- Adults B1 Team Dublin – Fortnightly training sessions at Esker Celtic FC Lucan
- Adults B2/B3 Futsal Team Portlaoise – Fortnightly training sessions at Portlaoise College on Sundays at 12:00 – 14:00
- New players of all ages and abilities welcome.
Paralympic Blind Football
Blind football, also known as 5 a side football, is a fast paced Paralympic sport for athletes with visual impairments. Using an audible ball and guided by verbal cues, players rely on sound, communication, and teamwork. The game is played in silence to allow athletes to hear clearly, making for a truly unique and intense experience.
Contact
Vision Sports Ireland, Vision Ireland, Whitworth Road, Dublin 9.
Sean Poland, Vision Sports Ireland
Phone:
0860129928
Email:
sean.poland@visionsports.ie
Junior Dublin VI/Blind Hub – Fortnightly training sessions at Inspire Fitness Cabra from 1-2pm.
Dublin Junior Hub, Bohemians F.C.
Aibhínn Conway, Head of Community
Phone:
0861985596
Email:
aibhinn.conway@bohemians.ie
Portlaoise Junior Hub, Portlaoise A.F.C – Fortnightly training sessions at Portlaoise AFC from 11.30-12.30pm.
Ger Brown, Head Coach
Phone:
086 071 7301
Email:
gerbrown1978@gmail.com
Mervue United A.F.C – Fortnightly training sessions at Fahy’s Field, Walter Macken Pl, Mervue, Co. Galway Saturdays at 12:00
Erik Connelly, Head Coach
Phone:
086 2465541
Email:
brian.campbell23598@gmail.com
Adults B1 Team Dublin – Fortnightly training sessions at Esker Celtic FC Lucan
Vision Sports Ireland, Vision Ireland, Whitworth Road, Dublin 9.
Sean Poland, Vision Sports Ireland
Phone:
0860129928
Email:
sean.poland@visionsports.ie
Adults B2/B3 Futsal Team Portlaoise – Fortnightly training sessions at Portlaoise College on Sundays at 12:00 – 14:00
Vision Sports Ireland, Vision Ireland, Whitworth Road, Dublin 9.
Sean Poland, Vision Sports Ireland
Phone:
086 071 7301
Email:
gerbrown1978@gmail.com
