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The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr. Shane Ross, and the Minister with responsibility for Sport, Mr. Brendan Griffin, today sent their best wishes to the Ireland CP football team ahead of their 2018 IFCPF European Championships semi-final meeting with Paralympic Champions Ukraine tomorrow.

Ireland’s Cerebral Palsy team is co-funded by the FAI, Paralympics Ireland and Sport Ireland and has been in top form at the tournament in Zeist. They beat Denmark, Germany and Northern Ireland to secure their semi-final spot prior to meeting hosts the Netherlands, who they beat 1-0 on Wednesday to finish top of their group.

Minister Ross said:

Ireland’s CP footballers are one of our most dedicated national teams and they have achieved so much in their discipline over the years. After qualifying for the 2016 Paralympics, it has been brilliant to see the squad continue to impress on the international stage. I am delighted to send my best wishes to Paul Breen, his staff and all the players ahead of their semi-final tomorrow.

Minister Griffin added:

I was very pleased to hear of the performances of the Irish team at the IFCPF European Championships in the Netherlands this week. Our CP footballers have been ranked amongst the top ten in the world in recent years so it’s great to see them enhancing their standing at the highest level. It would be a fantastic achievement if they could secure a place in the final and I wish them the very best of luck as they face one of the top nations in CP football.