Longford man will line out with Ireland in 1st Transplant Football World Cup in Italy

The 1st Transplant Football World Cup will take place between September 8 and 14 in Cervia, Italy a picturesque seaside town in the northern province of Ravenna on the east coast of Italy.

It is wonderful for this historic event that on the panel is local Lanesboro man Derek Rutherford, Cnoc na Gaoithe.

Derek has always been a very active athlete and himself and his wife Ronie (Masterson) taking on many endurance races.

Since his transplant, Derek linked up with the transplant team where he is playing a leading role.

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To be able to take part in the World Cup the team and management have to fundraise themselves to get the funding for accommodation and facilities for the duration of the World Cup.

Derek is the team goal keeper. In his younger days used to play in goals for Derry City and at a club in England for a while.

This is his first time to return as a net minder in over 20 years. He is now getting expert tuition every week where he is training every week up in Darren Randolph goal keeping academy in Dublin.

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The rest of the training is done every week in Kilkenny.  He is showing huge dedication to the team and we should acknowledge his efforts with our support of him.

He has his own player sponsorship cards out and he is banking on your generosity to help him raise the required funds.

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You are asked to be as generous as you can be and the sponsorship cards are in Johnston’s Pharmacy, Adie’s Bar, Clarke’s Bar and O’Brien’s Shop. Thank you in advance.

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