DOCTORS who like playing the beautiful game are being prescribed with an opportunity to compete for their country in a World Cup no less.
Ireland’s team of soccer-playing doctors is calling for all qualified medics to swap their scrubs for the green jersey and try out for a place on the team which will represent Ireland at the Medical World Cup taking place in Austria this summer.
Unlike their professional counterparts, who are forced into retirement at an early age, this team of physician footballers range in age from 27 to 61.
The competition rules even state that each team must have at least two of the 10 outfield players over 40 and a further two over 35-years-of-age.
Players must be qualified doctors to play with the team. Upon registering for the annual championship, players must prove their credentials with copies of their passports and even copies of their medical degrees.
Furthermore, the referee holds a medical knowledge pop-quiz on the pitch before each match to make sure the players are indeed who they say they are, qualified medical doctors.
In 2017 the selected team will face counterparts from Venezuela, Canada, Catalonia, Lithuania, Ukraine, South Korea, Australia, Mexico, Austria, Denmark, USA, Germany, Brazil, Hungary, Sweden, Russia, Colombia, Great Britain, Belarus, Czech Republic and Uzbekistan.
Last year the team progressed to the quarter-finals, but unfortunately their journey ended after losing a penalty shoot-out against Sweden following a thrilling 1-1 draw.
Dr Tommy Fitzgerald, Dublin-based GP and team spokesperson, said the Medical World Cup is a fast-paced tournament where doctors from all areas of medicine come together to represent Ireland.
“I would encourage all doctors with a passion for football to come along, meet and train with the team,” said Dr Fitzgerald.
“There’s a fantastic camaraderie, and standing in the Irish jersey roaring out Amhrán na bhFiann is a huge honour.
“As medics, we tell our patients of the importance of physical exercise. The Medical World Cup team is a fantastic way to put this into practice.”
In 2015, the team comprised doctors, interns and consultants from all areas of medicine including: Gynaecology, Orthopaedic Surgery, General Internal Medicine, Radiation Oncology, Colorectal Surgery, Paediatric Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Anaesthetics and Medical Oncology.
Affidea, Ireland’s leading independent diagnostic imaging provider (formerly known as Euromedic), is proudly sponsoring the team.
A training session will take place at St Columcille’s Secondary School, Knocklyon, on Sunday, February 5.
Further information is available by emailing Dr Tommy Fitzgerald at irishmedicalfootball@gmail.com.