Oisin Merritt and the Irish Cerebral Palsy squad have qualified for the second round of the IFCPF World Championships in Argentina.
Merritt played the full game today as Ireland defeated Spain 7-0 at the Estancia Grande.
Ballybofey United clubman Merritt was last month selected in the Irish squad for the trip to San Luis.
Merritt was given the go-ahead for a return to sport earlier this year when he met with Consultant Neurosurgeon Donncha O’Brien from Beaumont Hospital for his annual check-up.
Paul Breen gave him the nod for the IFCPF World Championships.
Ireland drew 3-3 with Canada in their opening game, with Merritt introduced as a substitute after half-an-hour. Dillon Sheridan netted a hat-trick for Ireland in that game.
A 5-0 loss to Brazil put their hopes on the back-burner and they needed to win big against Spain to stand a chance. But they did just that. Gary Messett hit four, Sheridan scored twice and Aaron Tier was on the mark in a 7-0 win.
Merritt played the full games against Brazil and Spain and will now look forward to a second round clash with Argentina on Monday with the Spanish win seeing Ireland edge Canada on goal difference.
‘Miracle Man’ Merritt fell 20 feet from a balcony and slipped into a coma, but after suffering horrific injuries, remarkably cheated death just when his family were being prepared for the worst.
