A NORTHSIDE Special Olympics football team was saved recently after it was on the verge of collapsing.

Martin McCormack, who has vast experience coaching soccer at all levels, answered Sporting Fingal’s call when he heard about their situation on a radio show and duly stepped up to the plate.

Martin is now the coach of Sporting Fingal’s Special Olympics 11 a-side national league team.

While the team members are enjoying and benefiting from their training on an all-weather facility in Baldoyle, this is proving costly, according to Mr McCormack. 

“We currently play our games in Loughshinny FC’s grounds and are truly grateful for their assistance but the ground is a fair distance for some of the lads to travel to,” he said. 

“We are looking to centralise the club and are in discussions with Portmarnock FC, a great community based club who are offering the use of their facilities.

“We hope for next season to make the training and match days more accessible to all the players involved and to facilitate new players who may be interested in getting involved.”

Mr McCormack said the lads have done well so far this season but it has been frustrating never having a full squad to choose from on match days for a variety of reasons.

“We need to increase the 11 a-side squad,” he stated.

“We are short of a few players and need to add to the squad to challenge the teams who are a little more developed as a club than we are.

“We hope that if there are any interested players, or those that simply don’t know we exist, that they will contact us.

“We are also looking out for sponsorship of varying sorts such as tracksuits, kit bags and maybe wind-breakers, items that a company can put their brand name on.

“I’m sure there are businesses within the Fingal area who would like their name associated with the very recognisable Special Olympics Ireland.”

Mr McCormack said the club is also going to develop a 5 a-side team next year for players who struggle on the larger pitch and are more suited to the 5-a-side game.

“Any lads interested in 5-a-side are more than welcome to get in touch,” he added.

“Even if it’s just to train and get a bit of game time on a training night, I’m sure we will be able to accommodate these guys.” 

• Sporting Fingal Special Olympics football team can be contacted at Facebook: sporting fingal Special Olympics or phone Gary on 087-1133400.