Six members of the Irish Defence Forces will represent their respective counties in this Sunday’s All-Ireland Hurling Final.
Four members of the Kilkenny senior hurling panel are currently based in the 3rd Infantry Battalion, Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny – Private Colin Fennelly, Private Richie Reid, Corporal Paul Murphy and Corporal Eoin Larkin. They will be facing their fellow colleagues on the pitch this Sunday, Private Patrick Bonner Maher (Tipperary) who is based in an Chéad Chathlán Coisithe at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Galway and Aidan McCormack who is based in the 3rd Infantry Battalion, Stephens Barracks along with his Kilkenny Counterparts.
KILKENNY
Private Colin Fennelly is based in the 3rd Infantry Battalion, Stephen’s Barracks, Kilkenny. He joined the Defence Forces three years ago and has recently completed an Infantry Light Support Weapons Course, an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) Dismount Course and a Counter Improvised Explosive Devices Course.
His home club is Ballyhale Shamrocks with whom he has won the following: six x County Senior Hurling Championships, three x Leinster SHC and three x Club All-Ireland Titles.
Playing Inter-County with Kilkenny he has won one x U21 All-Ireland Titles, three x National League Titles, four x Leinster SHC and four x All-Ireland Titles.
Private Richie Reid is based in the 3rd Infantry Battalion in Stephen’s Barracks, Kilkenny. He joined the Defence Forces in Oct 2015, he completed his basic training in the Defence Forces Training Centre and has recently completed an 84mm Anti-tank Course and an APC Dismount Course.
His home club is Ballyhale Shamrocks, he has won two x All Ireland Senior Hurling Championships, one x minor All-Ireland Hurling Championships, 1 x Club All-Ireland, and two x Colleges All-Irelands with St.Kieran College.
Corporal Paul Murphy is based in the 3rd Infantry Battalion, Stephen’s Barracks, Kilkenny. He joined the Defence Forces in 2008 and has served one tour of duty overseas to Chad. He has completed a number of military course including an Infantry Light Support Weapons Instructors Course, a Military Police Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and an NCOs Course.
His home club is Danesfort GAA Club where he has been successful in securing several medals at varying levels, including Junior County Championship, All-Ireland Intermediate Championship, and Intermediate County Championship.
Playing Inter-County with Kilkenny he has won four x All-Ireland Senior Championships, one x U21 All-Ireland Championship and has been awarded four x All Star Awards.
Corporal Eoin Larkin is based in the 3rd Infantry Battalion, Stephen’s Barracks, Kilkenny. He has over 10 years’ service in the Defence Forces and has served on two tours of duty overseas to Kosovo and the Golan Heights. He has completed many courses in his career to date including an APC Crewmans Course, Medics Course, Ambulance Skills Course and an NCOs Course.
His home club is James Stephens GAA Club with whom he has won three x County Championships, one x Club All-Ireland and two x Leinster Club Championships.
Playing Inter-County with Kilkenny he has won eight x All-Ireland Senior Championships, one x U21 All-Ireland, one x Minor All-Ireland and has received two x All Stars awards and one Hurler of the year award.
TIPPERARY
Private Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher is based in 1st Infantry Battalion in Renmore Barracks, Galway. He joined the Defence in 2012 and has completed a Light Infantry Support Weapons Course and an APC Dismount Course.
Private Maher is currently undergoing pre-deployment training with the 54 Infantry Group UNDOF, prior to their deployment to the Golan Heights later this year.
His home club is Lorrha GAA Club, he has won one x All-Ireland Hurling Final, the Munster Senior Title in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2016, the U-21 Munster and All-Ireland Hurling Finals in 2010, All Star Centre-Forward in 2014, Munster Hurler of the Year in 2012 and a Minor Munster and All- Ireland in 2007.
Private Aidan McCormack is based in 3rd Infantry Battalion in Stephen’s Barracks, Kilkenny. He joined the Defence Forces in July 2015, since completing his basic training he has completed the 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun Course and a Mowag Dismount Course.
His home club is Thurles Sarsfields, he has played on the county minor and U-21 Teams, and made his debut to the Senior Inter-county Hurling Championship this year. He came off the bench in the Munster Hurling to score a point against Waterford.
Photos: Courtesy Irish Defence Forces
