An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir March / April 2023 www.military.ie/magazine 24 | FOR REGULAR UPDATES ON ANY OF THESE CLUBS, PLEASE LOG ONTO THE CONNECT APP DF Ladies Soccer Next Camp 24-28 April in Lynch Camp Kilworth - Focus on preparation for representative game versus UKAF 04-08 June 2023 in UK. DF women's soccer recently welcomed CQMS Casey McQuillan, a UEFA A qualified coach with LOI and previous DF men's team experience back to the fold as the women's team manager. CQMS Darren Cody moves away from the role in the highest esteem. His role in the development of the women's game in the DF can never be repaid. 06 - 10 Mar: Camp in McKee Barracks Dublin The second camp of 2023 with lots of new faces trying out for the team. A challenge game versus RCSI/DCU Combined Team, final score 2-2. A really good performance probably didn't get the result it deserved with the DCU keeper pulling off numerous top class saves. Senior players Shannon Thomas, Saoirse O'Reilly and Katherine Meaney led by example throughout setting standards. DF goals were from new Recruit Beatty (3 Inf Bn) and Pte Sands (27 Inf Bn). Well done to both. The new management team is full of experience, made up as follows: CQMS Casey MacQuillan, Sgt Shane Desmond, CQMS Dave Lockyer, Sgt Ash Griffin, S gt Steve Cullen, Cpl John Sharkey, Sgt Devon Roche. Hurling DF Hurling will begin with the All-Ireland Chaplins Cup (11 aside) and Parsons Cup (7 aside) hurling competitions involving each barracks against one another with all three Services (Navy, Air Corps and Army) involved. This will take place in Liam Mellows GAA field beside Renmore Bks on April 27th with the DF Camogie teams also playing in the same location on this day. Please contact your barrack hurling representative to join. Camogie Defence Forces Camogie is relaunching after a hiatus of more than 10 years. There is a lot planned for 2023, starting with the official relaunch and inaugural match on 27 April in Galway. The plan is to work closely with the male hurling team and to support each other and combine events where possible. New kit and equipment have been ordered through DF Fitness and Sports Section, ready for April. We want to encourage all women of the Defence Forces to get involved, regardless of ability and experience, in particular, we want to encourage ladies who have maybe stopped playing the sport to get back into it. DF Rugby The 2023 Military Rugby World Cup is being hosted in France in August and the DF have been drawn to play Fiji, New Zealand and Uzbekistan in their group. The Irish provinces have been very supportive with training camps in Munster's High Performance Centre in UL as well as a day in Connacht Rugby where their Director of Rugby, Andy Friend, talked to the players about team building and preparation. Leinster Rugby facilitated management to shadow them in their build up to a URC game to gain an insight into how the DF can best prepare for the games in August while also facilitating the running of a coaching course. UL also provided facilities for detailed fitness and performance metric testing that will assist the coaches in developing the team over the coming months. The DF will host An Garda Síochána in the 50th meeting of the sides in the Gordon Wood Trophy in Killaloe/Ballina on 9th May 2023. The coaching team consists of Capt Philip Dowling, Capt Derek Farrell and Capt Billy Henshaw. Former DF players and new players alike are very welcome to get in touch. It's not too late to get involved in what promises to be a unique experience representing the Defence Forces and Ireland at a World Cup in France. Beir Bua! DF Clay Pigeon Club The DFCPC is currently taking part in the Leinster League Clay Pigeon Shooting Competition. We are competing in 9 events with these being held across Leinster in various shooting grounds. The DFCPC is constantly looking for new members so if people are interested, they can reach out and join the Club via IKON, follow us on CONNECT where we post regular updates or Sgt Massimo Caschera (Club Secretary). Next open Club shoot will be held in April but the range is TBC. Athletics The DF cross-country championships were held in the DFTC in Nov 2022 across four race categories (Senior/Junior and Masters Men & Ladies). A DF (men and women) cross-country team participated in a regional (European level) CISM cross-country event in Belgium on 01 Dec 2022 finishing in an excellent 3rd place in the team competitions in both categories (see photo). Also, shot puts, throw weights and a shot-put circle were purchased as part of Comdt Tom Bouchier's drive to expand field events across the DF. The next athletics event planned is a 5-mile road race in Baldonnel on 10 May followed by the DF 10-mile road race in Haulbowline on 08 June. There are also plans for an outdoor track and field grand prix in the summer months (date TBC). DF Rowing The Irish Defence Forces Rowing club has recently affiliated with Rowing Ireland and are recruiting new members for social and competitive races regardless of your experience and geographic location, for further details please contact CQMS Dave Williams on dave.williams@defenceforces.ie or robert.diffley@defenceforces.ie French The Spring Semester of French Language Courses continue through April and May. Course levels A1, A2, B1, B2 & C1 are conducted online and through blended learning in Alliance Francaise Cork and Alliance Francaise Dublin. DELF examinations will be hosted in Alliance Francaise in May for DF candidates that apply. Further opportunities to visit the French Armed Forces on two-week language immersion visits will be socialized over the summer months. The next entry point for courses is September; these will be advertised in July. DF Sports & Clubs Update L-R: Gnr Nathan O'Leary (1 BAR), Cpl Conor Tiernan (AC), Pte David Redmond (27 Bn), BW Laoighse Styles (DFSM), Lt Tahira Khan (6 Bn), Lt(NS) Tahlia Britton, Pte Paul Buckley (6 Bn), Sgmn (AR) Joshua Elliot (1 CIS), Cpl Paul Mitchell (2 BTC), Comdt Noel Conway (Head of Mission). [Not pictured: Cpl Mark Bulman (1 Tpt Coy), coach] Pte Danny Scanlon of 1 Bde Transport undergoing his mandatory Flip test in the pool DFTC Pte Lorraine Carr in action Taking aim during a DF Clay Pigeon Shooting Club event

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