An Cosantóir

26 DEFENCE FORCES LADIES SOCCER MAKE HISTORY DEFENCE FORCES LADIES SOCCER MAKE HISTORY By 2/Lt Zara Bolger Photos By 2/Lt Zara Bolger The Defence Forces Women's Soccer team has just returned from the CISM Military World Games that took place in Spokane, Washington State, USA. The games were hosted at the Fairchild Air Force Base by Lieutenant Colonel Jeremiah Kirschman and his team of volunteers that was com - prised of both serving and retired members of the US Armed Forces. Six weeks of training camps led the team up to their departure for the games. The camps were extremely well organised and managed by a team who have a wealth of knowledge and experience between them. CQMS Darren Cody, Sgt Richie Crowe, Sgt Shane Desmond and Sgt Shane O'Doherty executed a well-disciplined and diligent block of training that had the team both fit and ready to represent their country abroad. Upon arrival in Spokane, after a journey that was spread out over nearly 24 hours, the team were met by a group of volunteers specially assigned to them and were in - stantly made feel welcome. Over the next two weeks this group of volunteers went above and beyond for the team, making their stay as special as possible. The team spent their time using the fantastic facili - ties that were available on base, including the state of the art gym, football pitch, ice baths and the outdoor pool. This ensured the highest standard of rest and recovery before and after all matches were played. The competition was broken into two groups which led to an opening match of Ireland versus Germany and was followed by four more matches against Cameroon, Belgium, the US and the Netherlands. The highlight of the trip for the team was their win against Belgium. The two teams were matched for pace and skill and were 0-0 at half time. In the seventy first minute, histo - ry was made when Comdt Siobhan O'Sul- livan scored from a corner kick. When the Comdt Siobhan O Sullivan (J1), Lt Essie O'Connell (12 Inf Bn), Lt Leah McEvoy (1 BAR), Lt Rachel Madden (Eng Gp), Lt Louise Dixon (6 Inf Bn), Lt Saoirse O'Reilly (CIS Gp), 2/Lt Sophie Donnelly (1 Mech), 2/Lt Zara Bolger (3 Inf Bn), 2/Lt Angela McGuigan (1 BAR), 2/Lt Eimear Nolan (2 BAR), Sgt Kim Turner (MP Gp DFTC), Cpl Chloe Foy (Mil Col), Cpl Shelley Kehoe (J1), Pte Chloe Farrell (1 ACS), Pte Lauren Dunne (1 Mech), Pte Leah Walsh (3 Inf Bn), Pte Jess Moorehead (28 Inf Bn), Pte Shannon Thomas (2 Bde Ord), Pte Mary Gallagher (28 Inf Bn), Pte Katherine Meany (3 Inf Bn(AR)), Airwoman Daisy Tysall (No.4 Sp Wing), Aptce Grainne McLaughlin (3 Inf Bn)

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