Published: Wednesday, 29th July, 2009 3:23pm

Midlands United show their power

Midlands United Wheelchair Football club won the FAI National Championship, recently hosted in the University of Limerick.

Power Soccer is the first competitive team sport designed and developed specifically for power wheelchair users. This action-packed team sport combines the skill of the wheelchair user with the speed and power of the chair in an extremely challenging game. Midlands United club was established in February of this year by the Westmeath and Offaly Sports Partnerships.

Teams competing for the National title included Kildare, Fingal, Dublin, Westmeath/Offaly, Kerry/Cork and Clare.

Midlands United sailed through the qualifying stages to contest the semi-final against Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown with a 1-0 victory. As a result, Midlands United found themselves faced with the toughest challenge of the day, as they prepared to contest a long established and experienced team - The Kingdom Rebels.

The Kingdom Rebels played a very defensive game leaving Midlands United with very limited scoring opportunities. However, perseverance and determination enabled Midlands United to break through the Kingdom Rebels' defensive play, to win the match 1-0 and become Ireland's first National Champions of Powerchair football.

The management team consists of Vincent Devery, Mary Duignan (Westmeath Sports Partnership) and Claire Grehan (Offaly Sports Partnership).

Team members include: Stephen Devery (captain), Dani Weldon (vice-captain), Jon McGovern, Aisling McElligott, Emmet Daly and Stephen Seery.

RESULTS

Midlands United v Fingal: 3-0.

Midlands United v Kildare: 1-0.

Semi-final

Midlands United v Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown: 1-0.

Final

Midlands United v Kingdom/Rebels: 1-0.