An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 33 the USA from the kick-off, with a few shots on target within the first two minutes and two free kicks from 25 yards in the first five minutes. Goals were inevitable and in the 16th minute Derek Walsh scored a fabulous goal from play. With the team's new formation working well the Irish looked like scoring again every time they attacked and the USA made a substitution on 32 minutes to try to cope with the Irish pressure. Despite Ireland going close again on 44 and 45 min- utes the game broke for halftime without any more goals. In the second half Ricky Fox scored two goals from the penalty spot, in the 50th and 58th minutes, making it 3-0. Ireland were on fire. Derek Walsh scored his second in the 60th minute and after that the game began slow as the players began to suffer from the intense heat. Craig Shortt got Ireland's fifth in the 84th minute, before the DF team had their only lapse in concentration straight after scoring, conceding a goal in the 85th minute. However, the scoring wasn't over and sub, Sean Gannon, scored Ireland's 6th and final goal in the 90th minute to end the game on a high. Despite Ireland's heroics, Qatar and Mali played out a scoreless draw, meaning that Ireland finish in third place behind Qatar, with two wins, and Mali, with a win and two draws. In the post-match press conference, both team managers thanked Oman for a wonderful tournament and their hospitality. Capt Snee thanked his staff and players and especially their families and the travel- ling supporters. "All my players were fantastic," he said, "and very disciplined. This tournament is of a huge benefit to my team and staff and we will now look forward to qualifying for the 3rd CISM World Cup in China in 2019." As the tournament continued our group qualifiers had mixed fortunes, with Mali going out in the next round, beaten 5-0 by Oman, while group winners, Qatar, beat Bahrain, Egypt and Syria on their way to the final, where they faced the hosts, Oman. The final ended 0-0 after extra-time and the two sides faced the dreaded penalty shoot out. Qatar cracked under the pressure, with two of their players missing the target, and a final score of 4-1 gifted the 2nd CISM World Cup to Oman in front of the jubilant home fans. At the last DF team meeting prior to travelling home Capt Snee spoke of the great achievement of reaching the group stage of this tournament and of taking four points from their three games. He personally thanked his coaching staff and players: "Because of your age some of you have probably played your last game in an Ireland jersey, so I thank you for your contribution. To those of you coming through, and especially those that didn't play in this tournament, I urge you to stick at it and keep with the team; you'll get your chance." The staff and players voted Pte Craig Shortt as their 'Player of the Tournament', and he was presented with a token of his team- mates' apprecia- tion by Lt Col Kevin Campion, who as well as being Chief of Delegation is also Craig's commanding officer in 1 Inf Bn. Lt Col Campion said to the players and staff: "You have been great ambassadors for your country and the Defence Forces. Your results were great, and what you have done for Defence Forces soccer is great. You displayed many Defence Forces traits, loyalty, courage and physical fitness, and you did yourselves proud." He finished by thanking Capt Snee and his staff for their excellent work in getting the team to perform at such a high level. The Defence Forces soccer team will now look to continue their progress with some international fixtures later this year, possibly against British and French military teams. DF cIsm wORlD cUp mANAgemeNt teAm manager: Capt Ian Snee, 1 Bde Arty Regt Asst mngr: Cpl Thomas Hewitt, 2 Bde Ord Coy coach: Pte Alan Corboy, 2 Fd Eng Coy gk coach: Coy Sgt Anthony Jinks, 3 Inf Bn physio: Sgt Lloyd Murphy, 2 Bde Arty Regt Doctor: Capt Patrick Kelly, CMU kit-man: Cpl Edward Clifford, 3 Inf Bn FAI Official: Comdt (Retd) Gerard McAnaney Referee: Armn Eoghan O'Shea, Air Corps Referee: Pte Declan Toland, 6 Inf Bn Derek Walsh scores a beautiful goal against USA Players' Player of the Tournament: Pte Craig Shortt (13), 1 Inf Bn with Lt Col Kevin Campion, Chief of Delegation and OC 1 Inf Bn The full squad and team prior to the game against the USA

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