Two Kildare footballers selected for Irish ladies deaf futsal squad for European qualifiers

Two ladies footballers from Milltown have been selected to represent Ireland at the Deaf Women's European Futsal Championship Qualifiers in Amsterdam at the beginning of January.

Ciana Dunne and Shauna Hamilton have been named on the 13-player squad for the games which will take place from Friday January 5 to Sunday January 7, all of which will be hosted at the Sporthal de Bloemhof arena, just outside Amsterdam. The will face Italy, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands over the course of three days in the qualifiers.

Laura Clarke has been named as captain in a squad that also includes Continental Tyres Women's National League player Nathalie O'Brien (pictured above). The defender was part of the Cork City Womens team that won the FAI Cup last month.

Speaking at the squad announcement, Head Coach Dave Bell was hopeful of a strong performance from the team in January.

"Although we have never qualified for the Finals before, we are hoping the team can qualify for the Finals in Finland. With all the good preparation and hard work we have done over the past few months that feel this time we have a very good chance of qualifying."

The Milltown GAA Club were certainly proud to see two of their members included in the squad, and a message on the club's facebook page read;

"Well Ciana Dunne and Shauna Hamilton have swapped their Milltown Clg jerseys for an Ireland Jersey. What an achievement. They are representing Ireland at the Deaf Women’s Futsal Competition. The club are so proud of your achievements. The Republic of Ireland will face Italy, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands over three days, from Friday, January 5th, to Sunday January 7th. All games will take place in the Sporthal de Bloemhof, just outside Amsterdam."

Republic of Ireland Deaf Women's Futsal Squad: Denise Doran, Emma Barrow, Ciana Dunne, Rebekah Grant, Catherine Grier, Sabrina Hanley, Aisling Hanly, Laura Clarke (captain), Carmel Heery, Nathalie O’Brien, Jade Kavanagh, Kirsten Kelly, Shauna Hamilton and Helen Ward