An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir March / April 2023 www.military.ie/magazine 20 | the ladies GAA team with support from the ever-reliable Lorraine Whelan and Gráinne Kenneally working selflessly in the background. Together, they have achieved a team which represents all services of the Defence Forces; Army, Naval, Air Corps and Reserve Forces, an achievement which few teams have achieved. Inclusivity of all services has been one of the notable key components of this current team. "The DF Ladies Football team is very proud of the fact that we are inclusive of all branches of the DF, with representatives from all Corps of the Army, personnel from Naval Service, Air Corps and Army Reserve." — Comdt Áine Gilmore Players from the various services bring a heightened sense of pride as they represent their own service as well as the DF team. This is particularly the case for Naval Service player Zoe Gallagher and DF Reserve player Lisa O' Halloran. Lt Lisa O' Halloran (AR) oozes loyalty and commitment when it comes to playing football for the DF. A Clinical Midwife Manager, O' Halloran's work life is busy and stressful. However, this does not impinge on her commitment to the team. She ensures that she is not scheduled for a shift if there is a training day or a match. If she is, she swaps it with a colleague recognising the sense of pride to represent the DF, the importance of team commitment and also, the positives of having a focus outside of her routine work. The combined services team facilitates cohesion and esprit de corps amongst services, corps and units which enhancing the conduct of work off the pitch through reliable and well- established relationships. "Being involved in a DF sports team as a reservist offers the opportunity to meet people from other units and backgrounds, but also enhances the single force, with permanent and reserve members working together as a team." — Lt Lisa O' Halloran (AR) Despite her high operational commitments with the Naval Service, A/B Zoe Gallagher is very enthusiastic about representing the Naval Service while playing with the DF. She alludes to the fact that whilst it is difficult to balance DF football with sports, the support of her unit has been instrumental in her commitment to the team. This support is critical to the existence of ladies' sport in the DF, as the same players often play multiple sports in order to ensure that the DF is represented highlighting parity, inclusivity and promoting the DF as a positive team environment. "The Navy has always been very facilitating and are extremely supportive of the passion I have for playing with the Defence Forces." — A/B Supply Zoe Gallagher Morale has returned and whilst the old guard now consists of NY 'Veteran's' Jackie Kelly, Shendah Moran and Siobhán O' Sullivan, they are re-enforced by the young guns of Tara Khan, Dawn Hannon, Saoirse O'Reilly, and Chloe Farrell, to name but a few. The highlight for this team to date was the most recent representative match against the AGS - The 'All Ireland'. Meticulous detail of player analysis and performance was conducted as Comdt Gilmore prepared her team. Not knowing much about the opposition of the day, the group were enthused and apprehensive at the same time to see players such as Mo Nerney (Laois All Star), Martha Carter (Mayo All Star) and Johanna Connolly (Galway All-Ireland winner) as well as a host of other talented sportswomen take the field for the Garda Team. To say that both sides gave an exhibition of football is an understatement and it set the scene for what was a fantastic triple header in University of Galway, Connacht GAA Air Dome. The unique setting was a real novelty for the girls to play on and facilitated an extremely fast-paced, high-quality game. The DF Ladies' Football Team has proved over the years that success comes with resilience; the ability to break down barriers and build in the face of obstacles, the ability to rebuild again and again when fractures are appearing. This requires a management team of experienced leaders who will plan, organise, train and manage teams. Key to this leadership is the ability to mentor players so that, in time, the clip board and stopwatch will be taken on by the next generation with a sense of pride and duty to create opportunities for players who now fill their boots on the pitch. The DF Ladies' Football Team would like to thank all those who have been involved in the coaching and management (both player and logistical) of the team since its foundation in 2000 and to all those who have provided support in any shape or form. An Cosantóir March / April 2023 www.military.ie/magazine 20 | The more recent ladies' team Ladies team performing passing drills Team fitness drills Performing kicking drills in training Pre session warm up

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