An Cosantóir

| 27 www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 27 www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE DF WOMEN'S RUGBY The Combined Forces rugby team played their first game of 2024 against the French Military women's team in Malahide RFC. After an intense battle back and forth between the two teams, the French finished strongly to run out winners at 13-15. Overall, a great performance by the Combined Forces, and a great collaboration for future battles going forward. Many thanks to J7 staff for the assistance and Malahide RFC for hosting and providing logistical support. Well done both teams for the excellent display that they put on for all spectators on the day. DF ATHLETICS December 2023 saw the CISM regional cross-country championships held in Belgium. In ideal weather conditions in Schaffen the Irish men's and women's team both had fantastic individual and team results. Capt Elizabeth Carr stretched the race from the start and was rewarded with a fantastic 3rd place overall in a field of 100 athletes. Pte Laoighse Styles and Pte Louise Nolan battled throughout and finished 11th and 13th overall. This ensured the Irish team finished second overall behind the dominant French team and ahead of the hosts Belgium. In the men's event Pte Josh O' Sullivan Hourihan finished 5th place overall after mixing with the leading group early on. Pte Nathan O'Leary finished very strong in 19th place with Comdt James Ledingham 15th and Pte Dave Redmond in 16th with Cpl Stephen Butler on his international debut finishing in 31st. The above team combined to finish 3rd just behind a strong French and Belgium team. A field of over 900 athletes completed in the men's event on the day. Well done to both teams on an excellent performance in Belgium. DF ROWING DF rowers recently competed in the Irish Rowing Championships which was held in the University of Limerick. The race was a 2km race which is the Olympic standard. Over 12 teams from rowing clubs all over Ireland took part on the day with the DF team finishing 3rd overall in a time of 6m 22s. The team was made up of members from all of the 3 services of the DF, Air Corps, Army, NS. Members of the team were Captain Eoin Stanley, PO Karla Foley, Sgt Gemma O'Connor and Pte Rob Diffley. Head coach is BQ Dave Williams. RUGBY: Capt Meabh O' Brien leading the team on the day RUGBY: Irish players wining their lineout RUGBY: Joint services team before the game DF ROWING: DF rowing team showing each other great support DF ROWING: Sgt Gemma O' Connor on the rower giving her best as always DF ATHLETICS: The men's team on the podium DF ATHLETICS: Women's team who also won medals on the day DF ATHLETICS: Men's team before the event started DF ATHLETICS: Capt Elizabeth Carr with her winners medal DF ROWING: PO Kara Foley, Pte Rob Diffley, Sgt Gemma O'Connor, Capt Eoin Stanley

• Cover