Shared values unite GAA and Irish Defence Forces 

By John Harrington

There is a long and proud tradition of playing Gaelic games in the Irish Defence Forces.

It was highlighted again earlier this month at the unveiling of the new Óglaigh na hÉireann GAA jerseys in Croke Park.

Among those in attendance were current and former inter-county players like Kilkenny hurlers Richie Reid and Paul Murphy, Donegal footballers Odhran McFadden Ferry and Odhran Doherty, Roscommon footballer Shane Cunnane, Cork Camogie star Gemma O’Connor, and Laois football legend Sue Ramsbottom to name just a few.

The Defence Forces formally affiliated to the GAA in 1925 and in the 100 years since countless players in all codes have combined serving their country with representing their county.

One of the greatest of them all, former Roscommon footballer, Dermot Earley, rose to become Chief-of-Staff of the Defence Forces, and his legacy to the Association is the fine work done by the Dermot Early Youth Leadership Initiative.

“The GAA and the Defence Forces share deeply rooted values of community, teamwork, and commitment, and we have always enjoyed a proud tradition of working closely together,” said Defence Forces GAA President, Major General Anthony McKenna, at the launch.

“These jerseys are a symbol not only of our partnership but also of the enduring spirit of service and pride that both organisations represent. I look forward to seeing them worn with the same dedication and passion that define both Óglaigh na hÉireann and Cumann Luthchleas Gael.”

In a few weeks’ time, the Defence Forces will hold their annual inter-battalion competitions which are always fiercely contested.

“We have two cups that are played at battalion level with the hurling, the Chaplain's Cup and the Parson's Cup,” explains former Kilkenny hurler, Paul Murphy.

"They're basically played at ten a side because battalions will be a bit smaller and then we play also what's called inter-brigades, so the brigades play together.

“So that's a few barracks pulled together. And then each year we play a representative series against Bank of Ireland, AIB and the Guards.

“There was years there our forward line would have been Bonner Maher, Eoin Larkin, Stephen Molumphy.

“And down the other end, against Bank of Ireland, they're playing Tommy Walsh and Stephen O'Keeffe on the goal and all these lads. So they're the kind of matches we play and the footballers do something similar.

"It's a tradition we've had for years and it's great that they're still going.”

Former Laois Ladies footballer and seven-time All-Star, Sue Ramsbottom, has served in the Defence Forces for the last 34 years.

Now a Commandant, she’s currently overseas in Strasbourg with Force Headquarters in EUROCORPS, and was one of the early driving forces behind Ladies Football in the Defence Forces.

“We're lucky in our organisation that we can intertwine, sport, fitness, health, Esprit de corps, it all intertwines and all adds to life in the military," says Ramsbottom.

“I was involved in the early stages, along with Colonel Pat Herbert, retired now, Sergeant Rena Kennedy, in setting up the Defence Forces Ladies football team in 1998 and it's a real pleasure now to see them here launching their jersey.

“For me, it's a great honour to come back and to see how it's progressed over a period of time, you know.

“Playing Gaelic games together enhances that Esprit de Corps. It's a great opportunity, you know, to mix, to get to know each other.

“I think if any organisation, no matter what that is, if it has a sporting element to it it does enhance work in your environment.”