On Saturday 9 March, Lisburn Rovers, Northern Ireland's only partially sighted football squad, travelled to Birmingham. Their goal; to secure the British Blind Sports (BBS) Visual Impairment Futsal league title.
In order to be crowned league champions, Lisburn Rovers had to win two of the final three fixtures and in the first game, a strong performance resulted in a 4-3 win. However in the second game, it took an even stronger performance from the lads from Lisburn who found themselves 5-0 down at half time.
Some teams would have struggled in the second half, but not this team. Determined and focused, they went on to win 6-5 and ultimately win the league.
This was the first season the Lisburn based team have taken part in the Visual Impairment national league - and what a fantastic first year's result!
Team Captain, Niall Dempsey said,
"This was our first time competing in the English Visual Impairment League. We knew it was going to be difficult and we faced some strong teams throughout the season; but to come back from 5-0 down to win 6-5 in one of Saturday's games, just shows the strength and determination of the squad. And to pick up the Division two league title in our first season is an amazing achievement for Lisburn Rovers - congratulations to everyone involved with the team."
At the Visual Impairment League annual presentation Ceremony, at the Royal National College (RNC) Hereford in April 2013, Lisburn Rovers were presented with the league Trophy. This event also saw team captain, and RNIB Northern Ireland's Youth Development Officer, Niall Dempsey, lift the Division 2 Player's Player of the Year Award.
Next season will surely bring fresh challenges for the team as they compete in Division one, but this is a challenge the entire squad will no doubt relish.
Lisburn Rovers train weekly at the Lisburn Leisureplex in a partnership project between the Irish Football Association (IFA) and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB NI).
For further information, contact the RNIB NI Children and Youth Service
Tel: 028 9032 9373
Email: childrenyouthni@rnib.org.uk
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