Wayne Rooney sends heartwarming message to Down Syndrome team from Derry

Everton forward Wayne Rooney has sent his best wishes to Derry football team the Oxford Bulls, a team made up of kids with Down Syndrome from the Derry City and Strabane District Council area.

The Bulls went on tour to Liverpool this weekend where the team met with Seamus Coleman, Wayne Rooney and Sam Allardyce before they played a match against a local Down Syndrome side. Rooney sent the Bulls a message wishing them an enjoyable stay in Liverpool and the best of luck in their two matches where they will play another local side in Manchester on Sunday. Ireland winger James McClean also reached out to the Bulls last year and even played some five-a-side with their team. Kevin Morrison started the team alongside two other fathers - John Norris and Seamus Breslin - the trio took the sessions themselves thanks to support from the Foyle Down Syndrome Trust in Derry. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/928741820187774976

"The idea was basically to give our kids - and all kids with Down Syndrome - an opportunity to form friendships and build up their confidence, whilst enjoying the physical benefits of regular sporting activity," Kevin Morrison explained to SportsJOE. "The kids really seemed to be enjoying it so we agreed to try and keep it going for another season. We even had an end of season awards presentation. "Our second season started in October 2016 and it was clear our progress hadn't gone unnoticed. I was contacted by Michael Hamill who was Treasurer of Derry club Oxford United Stars. He offered to supply us with a brand new Oxford United kit, new footballs and most importantly, he offered us the services of Oxford United coaching staff for our Sunday morning sessions."