Talented Cork soccer duo are in Irish squad for Deaf Futsal Championship

TWO Leesiders are in the Ireland squad for the Fourth World Deaf Futsal Championship.

Cork City ace Nathalie O’Brien and Carrigaline rising star Rebekah Grant will feature in Ireland’s first appearance at this level.

A total of 12 countries will feature, and Ireland are in a tough group alongside world champions Russia, European runners-up Germany and Spain.

The three matches are on at 1.30pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday and Deaf Sports Ireland’s Facebook page will provide full details about live streaming the games.

Futsal is an indoor soccer five-a-side variant played on a hard court.

O’Brien and Grant are expected to play key roles for Ireland this weekend.

O’Brien works as a gym supervisor at CIT and is well known for her exploits with Cork City. She lined out at left back when City landed the FAI Women’s Cup at the Aviva Stadium two years ago.

She has made more than 100 competitive appearances for the club.

Grant is a Leaving Cert Student at Bishopstown Community School and plays for Carrigaline in the Cork league.

The teenager previously featured for the Cork City U17s and starred for the Doncaster in the Deaf Futsal Champions League.