Heartbreak for Irish deaf team

From: RTE Interactive, Ireland - Jan 13, 2005

Ireland's deaf soccer team suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat at the hands of Iran in the semi-final of the Deaflympics in the Olympic Stadium in Melbourne this morning.

The Irish, who were 2-0 up at the break, struggled in the second half, eventually conceding an injury-time winner.

The Irish management intend to protest about the timing of the kick-off, though, which meant they had to play in sweltering conditions of up to 35 degress Celsius.

If that protest proves unsuccesful, Ireland will hope to salvage bronze when they face the losers of the Germany v Great Britain game in the third/fourth place play-off.

© RTÉ 2005