An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir October 2017 www.dfmagazine.ie 32 | Cpl Gemma O'Connor – All Ireland Winner By SgT REnA KEnnEDy, PR BRAnCh "Team sports foster much of what is essential to our lives as soldiers from the physicality and loyalty to dedication and teamwork. Our participation enhances our fighting spirit, commitment, and esprit-de-corps. Corporal Gemma O'Connor, as one of the most decorated camogie players in the history of the game, is a shining example of how team sports have been well served by members of the Defence Forces over the years. I watched the All Ireland Camogie final with mixed emotions as it was my own County Kilkenny who had to lose on the day". Maj Gen Kieran Brennan, DCOS (Ops) and two-time All Ireland winner with Kilkenny. In the early years of camo- gie in Ireland a century ago, players lined- out wearing gymfrocks that covered the knee, long black stockings, canvas boots, long-sleeved blouses and a belt or sash around the waist. Quite a lot has changed over the decades but the game of camogie is still as thrilling a sport to watch as in the years past. Cpl Gemma O'Connor first picked up a hurl at the tender age of seven, coaxed along by her parents and brother Glenn. She plays her club hurling with St Finbarr's in Cork City and has represented Co Cork since her mid-teens. In September 2017 she lined out in her 13th All Ireland Senior Final, after sustaining an injury in the semi-final she went on to help Cork beat Kilkenny and to make it eight All Ireland winning medals. This is in addition to her two minor titles, two Camogie Player of the Year Awards and her record winning nine All Star Awards. Whilst the current record for All Ireland Camogie titles is held by 1950's Dublin player Kay Mills, the Camogie Association credits Gemma with certainly one of their most decorated players in the history of the game. Gemma is full of humility when questioned on her multiple titles, "I just absolutely love the game, I adore it, and I've always put camogie first, it's always been my priority. I play it for my family, my club, my county and myself. I tried other sports before and nothing really compares, camogie is just something special. And to play it at the top level for Cork is an honour for me." T he Cunningham Cup final was contested between 2 AR and Col- lins Bks (Cork) at St James gate FC, Crumlin Rd, Dublin, on the 27th July. The facilities and pitch were of an ex- cellent standard for the game, despite varying weather throughout the day. The teams were led onto the park by piper Cpl McGeough (27 Inf Bn) and the national anthem was played before the game kicked off. A hectic start saw both sides putting in heavy tackles to put a marker down for the game. Refer- ee Toland, who had an excellent game along with his supporting officials, let the game flow well and was happy to allow a hard but fair game to develop. Both David Long and Jamie Murphy went close to scoring in a lively open- ing 20 minutes in which the pouring rain only adding to the standard of both teams' fast, passing game. As the half progressed the Corkmen began to get on top and were duly rewarded when 'Zico' nicked the ball in the mid- field and played in Jamie Murphy who rifled a 20-yard shot into the top corner. Collins Bks doubled their advan- tage shortly after, when a long ball caused confusion in the 2 AR defence allowed Jamie Murphy in and lob Clarke with an excellent finish. The second half again started brightly for Cork who put the 2 AR team under intense early pressure, with the excel- lent Scott Delaney holding back the tide almost single handily at times. The artillerymen found their feet midway through the second half and started to get on top, with Noelly McGee, David Long and Scott Delaney creating good chances. They got their reward 20 minutes from the end when McGee scored a 25-yard free kick to set up a nail-biting finish. Although 2 AR piled on the pres- sure in the closing minutes, creat- ing numerous scares in the Cork defence, the men from Collins Bks held out under the guidance of expe- rienced centre half Dave Sweeney. In the end the Corkmen were de- served victors, bringing the Cunning- ham Cup back to the Rebel County for the second year in a row. Man of the Match was awarded to the two-goal star, Jamie Murphy, narrowly edging out the excellent Scott Delaney, who had an outstand- ing game for the artillerymen. By CAPTAIn RIChIE BARBER, S3/7, 27 InF Bn - PhOTOS CPL LEE COyLE

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