The Championships kick off on October 20th and runs until November 1st with 12 teams from around the world competing for the title World Champions.

Team manager, Mr. Paul Cassin said, "The tournament was announced late in 2009 not giving the team much time to prepare, however the players are in good shape and are mentally prepared to the competition. This tournament marks the first major event in the squads 4 year high performance plan in preparation for London 2012".

The draw for the 2009 CPISRA International Championships was conducted last week by Mrs. Ineke Zuidwijk, director of Werkenrode School, Mr. Jan-Hein Evers, tournament director and Mr. Tom Langen, Chair of the CPISRA Football 7-a-side Committee.

The results of the Draw were as follows:
Group A - Ukraine, Ireland and Ghana
Group B - Russia, Scotland and USA
Group C - Iran, Netherlands and Canada
Group D - Brazil, Australia and Japan

Ireland will play their first match on Saturday 24th against Ukraine and on Sunday 25th against Ghana.

"The two top seeded countries in each group will then be placed for the next round. Ukraine are the reigning Paralympics champions and will be very stiff opposition and with this being Ghana's first ever CP tournament they are an unknown quantity however I do feel they will be physically strong. No game will be easy with the top 8 teams in the world competing" says Paul Cassin.

CP Senior Squad:

Brian McGillivary (Dublin)
Kieran Devlin (Dublin)
Aiden Brennan (Dublin)
Paul Dollard (Dublin)
Luke Evans (Dublin)
Joseph Markey (Monaghan)
Gary Messett (Dublin)
Mark Jones (Belfast)
Darragh Snell (Offaly)
Jordan Kearns (Belfast)
Finbar O Riordan (Cork)
Darren Kavanagh (Dublin)
Chris Kirwan (Dublin)