An Cosantóir

30 | For De f e n c e F o r c e s S p o r t s Awa r d s BY SGT DAVID NAGLE PHOTOGRAPHS BY FLT SGT WILLY BARR AND CPL GREG DORNEY & Country On June 17th the Chief Lt Gen McCann with Sgt Maj Hickey. Sgt Maj Hickey with his family at the sports awards. I n his opening address for the 2011 Defence Forces Sports Awards, held in McKee Bks, Dublin, Col Michael Beary (Dir DFT) stated that the purpose of the awards is to acknowledge the sporting achievements of Defence Forces personnel at a local, national and international level. The main categories in this year’s awards are military sports, Defence Forces representative team sport and also participants for other sporting disciplines who have achieved national and international honours or recognition during 2009 and 2010. Equally, the awards pay tribute to those soldiers who work tirelessly behind the scenes encouraging, developing and co- ordinating sporting activities throughout the Defence Forces, and to those who are now retired, have paved the way for future generations of military sports men and women. Participation in sports and adventure sports goes hand in hand with military life. The necessary attributes our personnel require to succeed in their military careers (Teamwork, leadership, courage and the drive to win and excel) are mirrored in sports. Before each recipient was called up to accept their award, Comdt Rod McAuliffe (Sec DFAA) gave a brief outline of their exploits on the pitch, court, track, in the water or in the air. Last but not least were the awards for the hall of fame to Sgt Maj Steve Hickey (Retd), a renowned show jumping An Cosantóir July 2011 course designer and Comdt Ciaran Fitzgerald (Retd), an international rugby player. In his acceptance speech, Sgt Maj Steve Hickey said he was delighted and honoured to receive the award. He recalled that when he joined the Equitation School, he knew nothing about show jumping. He reminded everyone present that if you put your mind to it, you could achieve anything you want. Go ahead and follow your dreams. Likewise, following a short video presentation of his achievements as the captain of the Irish national rugby team in the 80s, Ciaran Fitzgerald spoke fondly of his time in the Defence Forces and how his training as an officer and his participation in sport within the Defence Forces all contributed to his success as a rugby player. He said he was amazed at the wide participation by Defence Forces personnel in sport for club, for county and for country. He said he would love to see these achievements getting some wider recognition. In summing up, Lt Gen McCann congratulated all the recipients for their achievements and continued success. He also said that though we (the Defence Forces) and as a country are relatively small, we have always been able to punch above our own weight. We can and should be all proud of our sportsmen and women who don the green jersey to represent the Defence Forces and Ireland at a local, national and international level. of Staff, Lt Gen Sean McCann presented awards to our top military sports stars, who have excelled in their chosen sporting disciplines.

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