An Cosantóir

18 DEFENCE FORCES MEN'S GAELIC FOOTBALL Defence Forces Men's Gaelic Football competitions and representative series games returned after an enforced break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Players and management came back together after carrying out a wide variety of tasks in the Defence Forces Response including testing, swabbing, contact tracing and various other roles. The purpose for 2022 was to hold all competitions and play Allied Irish Banks (AIB), Bank of Ireland (BOI) and An Garda Síochána (AGS), ensure maximum participation across all barracks and formations and unearth some new talent for the DF team. Medical Services The first competition was the unit/barrack competition; the Medical Services Cup was held in June. There were eleven teams entered, 1 Cn Cois, 3 Inf Bn, Cathal Brugha/McKee Bks, Custume Bks, Collins Bks, 12 Inf Bn, 27 Inf Bn, 28 Inf Bn, Air Corps and two teams from the Curragh. The knockout games were hugely competitive with very small winning margins and great 'buy-in' from units and teams. The final was contested between 28 Inf Bn and the team drawn from Cathal Brugha/McKee Bks which ended with a score line of 1-13 to 1-08 after extra-time. Donegal Senior Footballer Pte Oran DEFENCE FORCES MEN'S GAELIC FOOTBALL By Comdt Alan Courtney Photos By Airman Sam Gibney Doherty was the 'Player of the Match'. The next competition was the one-day '7s' in Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa in July. Six teams took part with the DFTC taking home the trophy and the 12 Inf Bn winning the Comdt Seamie Coughlan Shield. Inter Brigade The Inter Bde Competition followed in October and with the Formations selecting players from across their barracks it was evident that there was a very high calibre of players across the DF. The competition is always a good opportunity for the DF team management to scout players for the representative series in November and this competition didn't disappoint. The DFTC were the President Major General Tony McKenna Chairman Comdt Alan Courtney Education Coordinator Comdt Brian Connolly 1 Bde Rep Capt Alan Quirke/ Lt Col Cathal Keohane 2 Bde Rep Lt Shane Cunnane / Lt Ronan Finn DFTC Rep Comdt Tony Bolger AC Rep Comdt Stephen McGuire Team Manager Comdt Tony Bolger Team Coach and Selector A/BQMS Philie Wolfe Selector Sgt Ruairi McLaughlin Stats RSM Rick Kearns Physio Pte Alan O' Brien Logs Lt Dean Slattery Team captains with referee John Devlin Offaly Senior player of the year Pte Anton Sullivan

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