Docs in green see red

A TEAM of doctors representing Ireland in the Medical World Cup soccer tournament next week have had their kit stolen from the boot of a player’s car in Drumcondra.

The kit, valued at €2,300, was to be worn by the soccer playing medics when they represent the country at the soccer championships taking place in Barcelona from July 10-16.

Gardaí are investigating the theft and the team is asking local residents to keep a lookout for the green jerseys featuring their sponsor’s Affidea logo. 

“It’s a real nightmare for the team that we are now left in a situation where we are heading off to this great tournament to represent Ireland and may not have appropriate kit for the occasion,” said team spokesperson, Tommy Fitzgerald.

“It was a real honour to be involved previously and a huge part of the honour was certainly standing proudly as a team in the Irish jersey and belting out Amhrán na bhFiann.

“We will go out there and represent Ireland with passion and energy, even if we have to play in our white coats!”

The Irish doctors now face a last minute scramble to either track down the stolen kit or replace it before their departure this Friday (July 8) to play against teams such as USA, Germany, Brazil, Hungary, Sweden, Russia, Colombia and Great Britain.

Medical scan specialists, Affidea Ireland, which has a centre in Northwood Santry, was due to announce its sponsorship of the Irish team the day before the theft.

“Instead, we are coming to terms with a theft that has left our national team without a kit just days before departure,” said CEO of Affidea, Tom Finn.

“This is a huge blow to the team and certainly does not assist them in their preparation for the event. Whilst we are appealing to the public to assist the gardaí with their investigation, Affidea will do everything in its power to ensure that the team leaves Dublin Airport with a complete kit in tow.”

The Irish team consists entirely of doctors, interns and consultants from all areas of medicine and range in age from 27 to 61. Competition rules state that each team must have at least two of the 10 outfield players over 40 and a further two over 35-years-old.

With six full matches in seven days in the Catalan sun, part of the challenge is how to best use the squad of 25 throughout the week.