Year 12 student Sean McKinney was part of the Northern Ireland Powerchair Football Team which competed at this year’s World Cup in Sydney’s Olympic Park. He was one of the youngest players at the competition and his goalkeeping over the week was described as “outstanding” by the team coach.
Ten teams from around the world competed in the biggest event in powerchair football. France were eventual winners after beating England in the final. Northern Ireland played some excellent football and scored some great goals throughout the tournament against much older and much more experienced opposition. The team won the Fair Play Award, Sean’s teammate won the Indomitable Spirit Award and Sean won the Man of the Match award for his performance against Argentina.
With a bit of luck Northern Ireland could and should have finished in 7th or even 6th place but some matches were lost which could have been drawn and some were drawn which could have been won, and so ultimately the team had to settle for 9th place. This was a great result nevertheless as this was the team’s first ever World Cup appearance and the plan from the start was NOT to come 10th.
Now that the dust has settled on a wonderful experience Down Under Sean is looking forward to the next World Cup which thankfully will be held a bit closer to home ……. In Argentina!