Gardai are investigating after a kit worth €2,300 was stolen from a car on St. Columba's Road in Drumcondra on Tuesday night.
The kit belongs to the Irish team heading to the Medical World Cup in 13 days.
Unfortunately our gear was stolen from Drumcondra area Sat. Please contact us or @gardainfo if any spotted. Gutted. pic.twitter.com/Crgwdba8wn
— IrishMedicalFootball (@Irelandmedical) June 27, 2016
The tournament - being held in Barcelona - features teams made up entirely of doctors.
Irish team captain is GP Tommy Fitzgerald.
It’s a real nightmare for the team that we are now left in a situation where we are heading off to this great tournament to represent Ireland and may not have appropriate kit for the occasion. It was a real honour to be involved previously and a huge part of the honour was certainly standing proudly as a team in the Irish jersey and belting out Amhrán na bhFiann. We will go out there and represent Ireland with passion and energy even if we have to play in the white coats!
Ireland's team sponsor is Affidea. CEO Tom Finn called the theft a 'huge blow'.
Today, Affidea was due to announce its sponsorship of the Irish Medical World Cup team. Instead, we are coming to terms with a theft that has left our National team without a kit just days before departure. This is a huge blow to the team and certainly does not assist them in their preparation for the event. Whilst we are appealing to the public to assist the Gardaí with their investigation, Affidea will do everything in its power to ensure that the team leaves Dublin airport with a complete kit in tow.
To be part of the team at the Medical World Cup, players must be qualified doctors. They even have to produce their medical degrees prior to kick-off and face a medical quiz - from the referee - before they are allowed participate.
