Just off the back of two Ireland internationals and a game against Man Utd looming this weekend, James McClean managed to fit in another match on Wednesday.
A James McClean Select team, featuring former Derry City player Vincent Sweeney, Coleraine's Jordan Allan and James' brother Brian took on the Oxford Bulls, a team of footballers with Down Syndrome.
Kevin Morrison posted a match report to Facebook on Wednesday.
After a close game, the Oxford Bulls emerged victorious against some strong opposition.
Then today, the Oxford Bulls played their first friendly match against a strong JAMES MCCLEAN SELECT team, captained by Republic of Ireland international James McClean himself.
Our boys were a bit star struck when he first walked in, but after James put them through their paces in the warm-up, they were ready to take him on. The McClean Select included former Derry City player Vincent Sweeney and current Coleraine centre-forward Jordan Allan as well as James's bother Brian in their ranks !! Although it was young Nathan Moore who stood out head and shoulders above the rest of his illustrious teammates.
The game itself was a tight affair as the two McClean brothers signalled their intentions early on that this match was to be anything but "friendly". Tackles were flying in thick and fast, when the Oxford lads sneaked into a quick 2-0 lead - Conan and Keigan with the opening goals. McClean's lads gradually began to get back into the match when Nathan Moore scored the first of his 4 screamers from outside the box. Tiernan and Man of the Match Kyle wrestled with the midfield and provided loads of ammunition for top scorers Keigan and Conan to test the visitors defence. Shaun was detailed to stick to James McClean like glue and the West Brom star found it hard to shake off the attentions of the Bulls midfielder - who even resorted to hugging McClean at once stage to stop him in his tracks !! Meanwhile Adam had a quiet game - seemingly star-struck by the appearance of his Ireland hero on his home patch !!! Jack had no such qualms about tackling the premiership star, and a few of JR's tackles wouldn't have looked out of place at Ravenhill. The game was eventually decided by young Caoimhin who struck in the last minute to give the Oxford Bulls their first official win.
The session finished with a penalty shoot-out with our illustrious visitor going into nets for the lads !!! (Now I'm not gonna reveal if he saved any, but suffice it to say none of the Oxford Bulls missed the target !!!)
So I just want to say a huge thank you to James McClean and his mates for coming down to see our lads today and giving them their first big game experience !!! The lads are still buzzing and our Adam is still a little Star-struck !!! And I don't think James will ever appear in a more chaotic team photo as he did today (check out our photos To see what I mean lol), and yet he handled it with all such great patience and grace. So thank you James and co. for a most memorable day !!! As usual our wee video will follow shortly so watch this space !!
There's also video of the action. It's tough not to have a smile on your face watching.
Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
