An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 33 df suffer banK robberY! In their second representative match, the Defence Forces hosted Bank of Ireland (BoI) in Hawkfield GAA pitch on the outskirts of Newbridge on 15th November 2017. On a perfectly calm day in a well-presented field, both teams played good football in what was a hugely enjoyable and entertaining game. BoI, led by Monaghan sharpshooter Jack McCarron, had a selection of top-class players from across the country and looked sharp and fit, while the DF, eager to make amends for the defeat against An Garda Síochána, welcomed back several players who had missed the earlier game due to club commitments. Both sides traded early scores and it was tit-for-tat until BoI regis- tered the first goal on 20 minutes through Jack McCarron. However, the quality of ball to the DF's two-man full-forward line of Stephen Fisher and Anton Sullivan began to improve and the duo started to cause havoc and get some great scores. DF management opted to place Fergal McNulty as a sweeper behind their centre-back in order to clog up the area in front of McCarron but he still was able to get the ball and find space to shoot. Slightly edging the game at half-time, BoI led by 1-4 to 0-5. It was a game that would never have a runaway leader and as the second half began to unfold it was more of the same as both teams traded scores. On the 45th minute, the DF were reduced to 14 men after Scott Delaney received a second yellow card and when the Bank of Ireland went three points up with nine minutes remaining it looked bleak for the military men. However, in spirited fashion, the Defence Forces rallied and kicked four unanswered points leaving them one up coming into the dying embers of the match. As the final whistle approached, the DF played 'keep-ball', which seemed a good tactic given their numerical disadvantage, until an uncharacteristic error by Ian Kilbride handed the ball to Jack McCarron, who tapped it into an empty net to win the game with the last kick of the game. A cruel end to a cracking game of football left the final score 2-11 to 1-12 in favour of BoI. Unsurprisingly, Jack McCarron picked up the man-of-the-match award after shooting a personal tally of 2-4. aib sinK soldiers Having lost their first two games in the representative series, the Defence Forces were going to do everything in their power to win the remaining fixture against Allied Irish Banks (AIB) in O'Loughlin Gaels GAA pitch on 24th November. However, when the teams took to the field and the AIB's selection was seen to include Dublin stars James McCarthy and Denis Bastick and Cork's Colm O'Neill, the Defence Forces were always going to be up against it. The game started at a frantic pace and both teams got early scores. As in the previous game, Fergal McNulty was deployed in the DF backline to cut out the supply to AIB's full-forward line but two unforced errors in defence saw AIB snatch two goals through Colm O'Neill. This was a cruel blow to the DF but they rallied and a goal from Ian Kilbride meant that at the end of a very lively and physical half, the score was 2-7 to 1-4 in favour of AIB. In the second half, the crowd were treated to the brilliant skill set of AIB's young Dublin sharp- shooter Conor McHugh; he is surely a player that Jim Gavin will deploy in big games in 2018, as he scored some wonderful points and showcased all the talents to be a top-class player. The game was completely under AIB's control and although the Defence Forces never gave up, it was very much a case of chasing shadows. AIB's direct play and ability to take scores from almost anywhere within the 45-metre line proved the difference in the game and they ran out easy winners on a scoreline of 4-14 to 1-9. On a day in which some of the finest footballers in the country were on the field, Colm O'Neil was awarded man-of-the-match after notching a score of 2-4. This fixture wrapped up a pretty unsuccessful representative series for the Defence Forces, who will be deeply disappointed and will hope to turn the tables in 2018. Bank of Ireland Team Defence Forces Team Vs Bank of Ireland

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