Delaney to wear Ireland Green at Wheelchair Rugby World Championships
By Emily Griffin
A Nenagh man is among the first squad to represent Ireland at the World Wheelchair Rugby Championships next week.
Shane Delaney (31) heads to the tournament which is taking place in Sydney, Australia from August 2nd – 10th, the country in which he sustained a life changing injury five years ago.
Shane suffered serious damage to his spinal cord after a diving accident on St Patrick's weekend in 2013, fracturing two vertebrae in his neck, which left him paralysed from the chest down but with has movement in his arms.
Shane was a keen rugby player before the accident as part of his recovery and his positive mentality saw him become a member of the Ireland Wheelchair Rugby team and now heads back down under to compete for his country.
The team took part in its first ever qualifying tournament in Nottwil, Switzerland, in April and went on to win all their matches, including the All Blacks.
The Irish squad of eight players and four staff member have been preparing hard for the Championship and face tough opponents in their opening games against Japan on August 5th. They have other pool games against Denmark, Sweden, New Zealand and hosts Australia.
However, The so-called #WheelsinGreen squad, are appealing to the public to support their World Championship efforts with donations in the lead up to the tournament. They have been able to purchase much-needed sports equipment over the years thanks to National Lottery Good causes funding, however have asked the public to assist in funding.
"We need the support of all Irish rugby fans to finalise our attempts to take home the world title. It will cost the squad and support team approximately €20,000 to facilitate the round trip to Australia and we are appealing to our supporters, hometowns and all rugby fans to get behind the wheels in green this summer,” said Irish Team manager Lynn Cromie.
IWA Sport has a dedicated donation page which is currently accepting donations from individuals and organisations that can assist the Irish Wheelchair Rugby Team in Australia. To make a donation, and for further information about Wheelchair Rugby and the upcoming Gio 2018 IWRF Wheelchair Rugby World Championships please visit: iwasport.com/get-behind-the-wheels-in-green-this-summer