An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir March / April 2023 www.military.ie/magazine 18 | Throw back 23 years, it was the turn of a new millennium and the turn of a new era in ladies' football. Other than those who were involved in the sport, it had, to this point, garnered little interest. Waterford, Laois and Monaghan were the dominant teams of the previous decade with Mayo having just won their first All-Ireland and the last of the 20th Century. The 21st Century was about to see an explosion of interest and participation in ladies' football and this, inevitably, would spill into the Defence Forces. Just as the scene was bubbling with talent outside of the DF, inside there was a goldmine of talented ladies' footballers. Trials were conducted where GAA legends Col Pat Herbert Retd (Limerick Hurler and then Secretary of Defence Forces Athletic Association), Lt (now Comdt) Sue Ramsbottom (a legend of the game, having at that time already, 7 All Star awards playing for Laois) and Cpl Ann Molloy Rtd (one of the first females in the DF, two time All Star and Captain of Offaly) had the arduous task of selecting a panel from approximately 60 ladies who had turned up to play. "The trials were nerve-wracking enough if I recall, I hadn't seen as many DF women in one place before! I was delighted to see Ann Molloy there on the day. We're from the same club in Offaly and when I was playing senior and contesting county finals, Ann was a constant on the side-line and in the dressing room, with great encouragement, a great role model." — Sgt Rena Kennedy This panel of ladies brought with them exceptional leadership both on and off the pitch, the likes of which has not been replicated since; players such as Caroline Burke, Therese O' Keeffe, Louise Conlon, Bridget Clarke, Rena Kennedy, Ann-Maire Larkin, Sue Ramsbottom, Deirdre O' Rourke, Niamh O' Mahony - the whole team could be listed! This group of ladies had a willingness to break down barriers and finally be afforded the opportunity to represent the Defence Forces in a GAA jersey. It was this group that paved the way forward for those who would be lucky enough in the future to represent the Defence Forces GAA team at home and abroad. "It was great for comradery; it was great for all the different ranks to mix. It was great to get to know all the other females within the Defence Forces because we are scattered right throughout the country. It was a real step forward for developing sport for women in the Defence Forces." — Comdt Sue Ramsbottom, TG4 Laochra Gael Soon, the ladies' team would be part of the yearly Inter- Brigade competition with the first being held in 2002. 2 Eastern Bde took the honours under the steadfast leadership of Team Captain Rena Kennedy. From then on, out of this competition, the DF Representative Team was picked to play two annual fixtures; Bank of Ireland and what felt like 'our' All Ireland, the fixture against An Garda Síochána. This would always be a battle, not just for the win, but a battle of pride. It was a day that nothing would be left in the tank and that spirit has been passed on to this day. Each year as players retired, the goldmine kept providing with players such as Aoife Herbert, Jackie Kelly, Kim Turner, Siobhán O' Sullivan, Emma Hannon, Áine Gilmore and Lorraine Whelan coming through. In November 2007, the team played in their first significant venue, Parnell Park, to mark the 25th Anniversary of Defence Forces Representative Games against Bank of Ireland. It would be one of the high points for the team, displaying their ability in style in front of a stand (with people in it!). Unknown to the team at the DF LADIES FOOTBALL HOW IT STARTED, HOW IT'S GOING BY COMDT CLAIRE MORTIMER PHOTOS PROVIDED BY COMDT CLAIRE MORTIMER Lt Tara Khan fighting to keep possession of the ball Cpl Dawn Hannon giving it her all to win the ball DF team and coaches before their match against An Garda Síochána

• Cover