www.military.ie the defence forces magazine
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internAtionAl
SoCCer
CApS
T
he Defence Forces Soc-
cer team were presented
with International Caps
on the 5th March. The Caps are
in recognition for competing
against Germany, the RAF, the
French Armed Forces, the Dutch
military and other international
military fixtures.
The idea of being awarded a
cap is a tradition that came from
the early days of football where
teams did not have matching
jerseys, so the only way to distin-
guish each team was by the type
of headdress they wore. This was
carried onto international games
and it became a symbol of playing for your country.
The Caps were presented by Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane, who were
in turn presented with smocks with their respective name tags at the FAI
Headquaters in Abbotstown, Dublin.
In attendance for the occasion were the DF Ladies
Soccer team, who also got to meet the manager
and assistant manager of the Irish International
Soccer Team.
The caps lined up ready to go for presentation to
the team.
A group shot of the players, dignitaries and
coaching staff outside the FAI HQ.
Government Chief Whip and Minister of
State Paul Kehoe TD was also present on
the day. Here he is with Roy Keane and
Martin O'Neill when they were presented
with their smocks.
Gnr Scott Delany, another member of the Defence
Forces International soccer panel received his cap on
the same day.
Cpl Patrick Mahon receiving his international cap.
