Adam is ready for games

Adam Carson began playing for Lurgan Town Soccability Squad on Thursday nights at the Gordon Playing Fields.

He was spotted by one of the Northern Ireland coaches when he was playing for Tandragee Junior High at a tournament in Belfast.

Adam received a letter from the Northern Ireland football association requesting him to join the squad for training.

He started competing in a five-a-side league in Belfast and with the Northern Ireland team, whom he trains with every fortnight at Belfast’s Hanwood Centre.

Adam has mild cerebral palsy down his left side and is over the moon about his selection.

“I can’t wait for the tournament to start. All the hard training and dedication in all weathers has paid off,” Adam said.

The Northern Irish team will have a tough time ahead of them at the Intercontinental Games in Barcelona.

They have drawn in Group D, with Brazil who are rated fourth in the world, Argentina who are rated 8th in the world and Japan who are 13th.

The other countries participating are Scotland, Spain, Canada, Holland, Russia, Ireland, USA, England, Venezuela, Australia, Ukraine and Portugal.

Northern Ireland’s first match is against Japan on Monday, July 29.

The tournament is high profile with the BBC lined up to interview the players. Some matches will even be broadcast live on the internet.

All matches will be seven-a-side and each half will last 30 minutes and be played in the city of Sant Gugat Del Valles, about 20 minutes from Barcelona.

The CPISRA aims to give people with cerebral palsy or a related neurological condition the opportunity to play sport or take part in a recreational activity.