SPORTS
INTER-PROVINCIAL TOURNAMENT
The Inter-Provincial Tournament is the name of the annual football, futsal, basketball, lawn bowls and badminton competitions held between the provinces of Ireland.
The series of games are organised by the Deaf Sports Ireland’s Board of Directors with Regional Councils also with the staff.
The Munster, Leinster, Connacht and Ulster teams are composed of the best players from the various counties in the province. Also, this is one process of selecting the international competitions squad for forthcoming competitions as well as provincial honours.
The 2021 Inter-Provincial Championship will be held on: TBD
ATHLETICS
Athletics was set up in 1969 for National & International levels. We cater for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Athletes who want to have the opportunity to have the recreational competition as well as those who wish to compete at international level.
International Competition for Athletics:
European Deaf Championship
World Deaf Championship
Deaflympics
BASKETBALL
Basketball was set up in 1993 for National & International levels. We cater for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Women who want to have the opportunity to play recreational basketball as well as those who wish to compete at international level.
We have the new Basketball Club called ‘Dublin Deaf Basketball’ and it is for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Women. ‘DDB’ are in Dublin Ladies Basketball Board 2021 in Division Five. We are aiming to get the promotion to Division Four.
We are looking for to get back to the International Competition for World Championship in 2023.
National & International Competition for Basketball:
Inter-Provincial Tournament
European Deaf Championship
World Deaf Championship
Deaflympics
BADMINTON
Badminton was set up in 1990 for National & International levels. We cater for players who want to have the opportunity to play recreational games as well as those who wish to compete at international level.
National & International Competition for Badminton:
Inter-Provincial Tournament
Deaflympics
LAWN BOWLS
Irish Deaf Bowls (IDB) was founded in 1990 and it is an independent organisation. It is a very popular sport amongst adults and they are always welcoming young players to join their team.
There is a club for Lawn Bowls in Deaf Village Ireland. Also in Belfast.
National & International Competition for Lawn Bowls:
Inter-Provincial Tournament
World Deaf Championship
Deaflympics
FOOTBALL
Football is one of the most popular sports choices in Deaf Sports Ireland. Deaf Men Football Team are one of the top 10 countries in the world since late 1980s. They won two silver medals & three bronze medals since 1989 from European Championship & Deaflympics.
Recently, Irish Deaf Men Football team got 4th place in European Deaf Futsal Championship 2019 in Greece.
There are Men’s Football Club for Deaf or Hard of Hearing and it is St. Vincent’s Deaf Football Club and Belfast’s Deaf Football Club.
National & International Competition for Football:
Inter-Provincial Tournament
European Deaf Championship
World Deaf Championship
Deaflympics
FUTSAL
Futsal was established in 2006. It is the newest and fastest growing sport for Deaf & Hard of Hearing players.
Recently, Irish Deaf Women Futsal team got 9th place in World Deaf Futsal Championship 2019 in Switzerland.
There is new Men’s Futsal Club for Deaf or Hard of Hearing and it is called ‘Dublin Deaf Futsal’. They are underway with their debut season with AUL with the hope to get top 5 this year.
National & International Competition for Futsal:
Inter-Provincial Tournament
European Deaf Championship
World Deaf Championship
Winter Deaflympics
GOLF
Irish Deaf Golf Union (IDGU) was founded in 1995 and it is an independent organisation.
It caters for players who want to have the opportunity to play recreational golf as well as those who wish to compete at provincial and international level.
IDGU is affiliated to DSI. It is also affiliated to Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI) and the World Deaf Golf Federation (WDGF).
National & International Competition for Golf:
Annual Captain & Provincial Championships
World Deaf Championship
Deaflympics
SWIMMING
Swimming is one of the most popular sport choices in DSI. Without swimming, Ireland would not have won so many medals. Since 1975, Ireland Deaf Swimmers have in fact won 59 gold medals, 46 silver medals and 36 bronze medals at European & World Deaf Swimming Championships and Deaflympics.
Irish Deaf swimmers have broken 17 World Records & 26 European Records since 1975. They still hold some records now.
National & International Competition for Swimming:
Annual National Deaf Swimming School Gala
European Deaf Championship
Youth World Deaf Swimming Championship
World Deaf Championship
Deaflympics