On April 26, on the football pitch at Zhentai Primary School in Shaoshan Town, Hunan Province, a former member from the University College Dublin (UCD) football team delegation interacted with the school's young players. His precise long passes traced beautiful arcs through the air, and their seamless back-and-forth play fully showcased the joy of the game. 

Former members of the UCD football team juggle a ball with players from Zhentai Primary School in Shaoshan Town. (Photo/Deng Xia)

On that day, a delegation of former members of the UCD football team visited Shaoshan, Hunan, retracing the "Road of Friendship" dating back to 50 years ago. At Zhentai Primary School in Shaoshan Town, the delegation observed the school's football training sessions and demonstrated basic football skills—such as long and short passes—to the young players. Both sides also engaged in interactive activities like juggling and passing, filling the football pitch with laughter.

Upon learning that Zhentai Primary School had won the championship at the 2025 Yao Foundation Beautiful Rural Football Season National Invitational Tournament, the delegates praised the young players' football skills and determination.

"They have skills and are very fast—they're far better than we were at their age," said the former UCD football team player, who became a professional athlete after graduating from college and later served as a football coach. Drawing on his years of experience in the sport, he advised the young players to practice diligently, emphasizing that practice makes perfect is the key to improving their skills. "Observe how others do it, then imitate them—that is the essence of football training," he added.

Former members of the UCD football team give players from Zhentai Primary School high fives. (Photo/Deng Xia)

This international football exchange embodies a half-century friendship between China and Ireland. Looking back to 1976, at the invitation of the Chinese Football Association, the UCD football team made its first visit to China, becoming a pioneer in people-to-people sports exchanges between China and Ireland. At that time, the team visited multiple cities including Shanghai, Changsha, Beijing, and Guangzhou, playing friendly matches against the Shanghai municipal team and the Guangzhou youth team. Football served as a bridge, opening a new chapter in people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.

The year 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the UCD football team's first visit to China. A group of 18 veteran players returned to China, visiting Beijing, Shanghai, and Hunan to renew their cross-national friendship.

From youthful teenagers to gray-haired elders, the former UCD football team members returned to China after 50 years. The veteran players were deeply moved by the remarkable transformations in China. Patrick Dwyer, the team captain at the time, vividly recalled his 1976 visit to China, when he first arrived at the age of 18. He noted that on the streets of China half a century ago, cars were rare, bicycles were the most common mode of transportation, and people's attire was relatively plain. "Everything has changed today, but the warmth and friendliness of the Chinese people have remained unchanged." 

A delegation of veteran players from UCD football team poses for a photo with players from Zhentai Primary School in Shaoshan Town. (Photo/Deng Xia)

Watching the Chinese youngsters run freely across the football pitch, the former UCD football team player felt as though he were seeing his younger days. "Football is full of fun and extremely challenging, and it provides an endless source of energy and passion," he said. He noted that football serves as a bridge of friendship between Ireland and China, and expressed his hope that young people from both countries would carry on the love of the game through mutual visits, exchanges, and competitions, allowing the friendly ties between the two nations to continue on the pitch.

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government. www.enghunan.gov.cn.  

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: Chinanews