Louth native to represent Ireland this weekend

A Blackrock man is set to represent Ireland this weekend in a historic international soccer game in Wolverhampton.

Louth native, Frank Rogers, is among the 18-man squad set to break new ground when he represents Éire against Khalistan in an international friendly on Saturday, August 15th at 7pm in the Guardian Warehousing Arena in Willenhall, Wolverhampton.

A huge crowd is expected for the game at the prestigious venue, which just last weekend hosted a preliminary round FA Cup tie, which featured home club, Sporting Khalsa.

Dundalk FC fan Frank is hugely looking forward to the game, with the Irish squad including players from Derry, Armagh, Antrim, Donegal, Galway, Louth, Laois and Dublin, with Donegal native Darren Ó Dubhgáin and Armagh man James Mac Éinrí as co-captains.

Having graduated with a degree in Law and Irish from University College Cork, 23-year-old Rogers has recently taken up a job on Leeside with the Courts Service.

Cumann Sacair Gaeilge (CSG) is the brainchild of Oisín and An Páipéar editor and freelance sports journalist Cóilín Duffy, who set up the organisation to provide social opportunities for Irish language speakers through the medium of soccer.

CSG gained international recognition last April when they were made a member of international organisation CONIFA, the Confederation of Independent Football Associations.

Independent of FIFA, CONIFA is the global soccer organisation for nations, regions, minorities and cultural communications not represented by FIFA, and celebrates soccer as a way of bringing people together, promoting inclusion, friendly and cultural identity through international competition.

CSG have a number of regional hubs, with social five-a-sides taking place on a weekly basis.

To help with the costs involved, Cumann Sacair Gaeilge have set up a crowdfunder at: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/sacairgaeilge1 with all donations very much appreciated.

You can find out more about Saturday’s International game and Cumann Sacair Gaeilge at CSGaeilge on Instagram or by searching for Cumann Sacair Gaeilge on Facebook.