Cork City FC's amputee team off to Italy for Champions League

Cork City FC’s amputee team will face off against the best amputee teams from across Europe later this month as they travel to Sassuolo in Italy for the EAFF Champions League 2024.

The squad of 13 is made up of players from Cork, Westmeath, Meath, Dublin, Waterford, Limerick, and Scotland.

This is the second time they have qualified for the tournament, having also qualified in 2018.

However, it is a first for head coach Dáire Coughlan, who was appointed to the role in 2020.

“This tournament means an awful lot to the team as it gives us an opportunity to play against the best amputee teams from across Europe,” he said.

“We are one of three amputee teams in Ireland so to qualify is a huge testament to the talent, skill, and dedication of our players.

“Being part of the team offers everyone a chance to form amazing friendships and bonds so it’s so much more than just the game of football.”

Cork City will face Sahinbey Belediye Genclik Ve Spor Kulübü from Turkey, Everton, and Wisła Kraków from Poland.

Among those on the Cork team is Ruairi Murphy, who has been playing amputee football since 2017.

“After I lost my leg it was nearly 11 years before I played in a team environment again and you honestly don’t realise you’ve missed it until you’re back in that environment again,” he said.

“The first year was probably the biggest one because I just love playing football and I went into it not knowing what it was like and I was absolutely blown away by the quality of the game.”

He said that in that first year they were probably the underdogs in the league but went on to win it.

“It’s a very welcoming sport. I hadn’t met another amputee in the 11 years before I joined the league, then suddenly I had a support network of people around me, which was really great,” he said.

The event takes place on September 20-22.