Saturday 27th February 2010 sees the first Abbie Byrne Memorial Cup match at Corduff Sports Centre, Dublin 15 between the Sporting Fingal Powerchair football team and St. Joseph’s Powerchair Team from Sallynoggin in Dublin.

Abbie Byrne was one of the founding members of the Sporting Fingal Powerchair Team and was the only girl on the team. She sadly passed away in October 2010 and is greatly missed by everyone involved in Powerchair Football in Ireland. Paul Murphy, Sporting Fingal Powerchair Football Team Manager said ‘Abbie was one of the first members of the team when it started in 2009, and although she was the only girl on the team, she was well able to mix it up with the lads. She made a great impression on us all, and we’re delighted to play this game in her memory’.

Stephen McGinn, Sporting Fingal Community Trust Programme Manager said ‘Powerchair football is the first competitive team sport designed and developed specifically for power wheelchair users, is designed to be unisex, and teams are open to both male and female participants. Power Soccer encourages people with disabilities to actively participate in a sport that they have an interest in. Sporting Fingal Community Trust is committed to working with all members of our society through football, and to integrate football for people with disabilities under the Sporting Fingal banner. The team currently has 7 players and is open for new members to join at any stage.’

He added ‘I’d also like to thank Fingal County Council Sports Unit for donating the Cup, Abbie was a valued member of the team and it’s important to remember her.’

The Abbie Byrne Memorial Cup game will run from 11.30am to 1.30pm on Saturday 27th February 2010 at Corduff Sports Centre, and Abbie’s mother and sister, Niamh and Shannon, will be presenting the medals and trophy after the game.

For further information on Sporting Fingal Powerchair Football, please contact Stephen McGinn at T: 087 986 4611 or email communitytrust@sportingfingal.ie