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An Cosantóir, Curragh Camp (2025)

10/07/2025

People of the DF

This PODF we catch up with Tpr Brian Kennedy who is up training with the Irish Boxing High Performance Team.
Brian’s did a PODF with us in the past but he has achieved a lot since so we felt it was time to catch up with him 😊

What is coming up next for you?
“After recently winning the national elite light heavyweight weight title in Belfast, I’ll be putting the head down and working towards getting selected for the world elite championships over in Liverpool in September.”

What is your favourite thing about being on the high performance team?
“My favorite thing about being on the high performance team is being able to train and learn off the best boxers and coaches in the country at the highest level, I feel I’m learning something new everyday.”

Can you give us an example of your daily routine?
“So we get up for a weight check at 07:30, then have breakfast, followed by our first training session, we train twice per day combined with boxing sessions and strength and conditioning, with one session of a Friday which is open sparring.”

Favourite session?
“My favorite session would be sparring of a Friday, just trying to work on the techniques that we’ve have be learning.”

Least favourite session?
“Would probably be a bag session, I would prefer pads or sparring.”

Favourite meal?
“I love a good Sunday roast.”

Favourite movie?
“Forrest Gump.”

Favourite boxer?
“Floyd Mayweather and Roy Jones Jr.”

Favourite quote?
“Failure is not an option when you have the talent to be successful.”

09/07/2025

People of the DF

This PODF we catch up with Tpr Brian Kennedy who is up training with the Irish Boxing High Performance Team.
Brian’s did a PODF with us in the past but he has achieved a lot since so we felt it was time to catch up with him 😊

What is coming up next for you?
“After recently winning the national elite light heavyweight weight title in Belfast, I’ll be putting the head down and working towards getting selected for the world elite championships over in Liverpool in September.”

What is your favourite thing about being on the high performance team?
“My favorite thing about being on the high performance team is being able to train and learn off the best boxers and coaches in the country at the highest level, I feel I’m learning something new everyday.”

Can you give us an example of your daily routine?
“So we get up for a weight check at 07:30, then have breakfast, followed by our first training session, we train twice per day combined with boxing sessions and strength and conditioning, with one session of a Friday which is open sparring.”

Favourite session?
“My favorite session would be sparring of a Friday, just trying to work on the techniques that we’ve have be learning.”

Least favourite session?
“Would probably be a bag session, I would prefer pads or sparring.”

Favourite meal?
“I love a good Sunday roast.”

Favourite movie?
“Forrest Gump.”

Favourite boxer?
“Floyd Mayweather and Roy Jones Jr.”

Favourite quote?
“Failure is not an option when you have the talent to be successful.”

03/07/2025

Name: 2/Lt Hannah McMenamin
Service: Air Corps
Current role: Student on the wings course

Can you give us a brief description of career so far?
“I joined the Defence Forces in October 2022 as an Air Corps Cadet and spent 18 months in the Curragh before receiving my commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. I am currently a student on the wings course in the Flying Training School of the Irish Air Corps.”

What made you decide to join the DF?
“I have always wanted to be a pilot and the Air Corps is an amazing organisation to achieve this goal. As part of our pilot training we learn aerobatics and formation flying which is a unique opportunity.”

What did you do before you joined?
“I graduated from TUD with a degree in Bioscience. After this I travelled before joining The Cadet School.”

What are your hobbies outside the DF?
“I play waterpolo for North Dublin and enjoy hiking in my free time.”

What is your proudest moment in sport?
“Getting selected for my first Irish Senior Ladies team in 2019 and also being named as Irish Team Captain in 2024.”

How did you get into playing waterpolo?
“I was a competitive swimmer from a young age and waterpolo has always been a big part of my family so it was a natural progression.”

What are your plans and goals for the future?
“Firstly I’d like to successfully complete the wings course and earn my wings. This is my main priority for the moment.”

What is your favourite memory you have from the DF?
“I went solo last week on the PC-9M which is definitely the highlight of my career so far.”

What advice would you give to your 18 year old self?
“Set high goals, anything is achievable with hard work!”

02/07/2025

Our May/Jun edition of is now available to read or download. Just follow the link https://digital.jmpublishing.ie/i/1537109-may-june-2025/0?

This edition features the following

AFSAM 2025 takes aim on the International Stage

The Gainey Cup 2025 compete in Fort Benning, Georgia

Warriors Tested show their strengths in Massachusetts

Lt Col Egerton gives us a brief history of the platoon attack

The DF boxing team had a successful outing at the CISM tournament in France

And much more just follow the link in bio

01/07/2025

Throwback Tuesday 😎

Throwback to April 2013.
We have another class front cover all the way from UNIFIL 🤗
Have a browse through our table of contents and take your pick.
We cover everything from Recce Coy training to a Combat tracking course.
An article and photos of the Corp of Engineers on a training exercise.
In sports we covered the DF Track and Field and the DF Rugby team who had a narrow loss to the Royal Navy.
Another top quality issue!! 💪

30/06/2025

People of the DF - PTI Course Series

Name and Rank: Sgt Garth O Reilly
Service: 12 years
Unit: 6 INF BN

What made you decide to do the PTI course?
“Since Recruit Training I suppose I’ve always looked up to the PTI and their ability in bringing a civilian up to a military level of fitness. So since becoming an NCO that’s the route I’ve decided I’d like to take.”

What part of the course are you looking most forward to?
“Definitely the part I’m looking forward to most is the program planning and how to test groups and individual to tailor plans to suit everyone.”

What has been your favourite thing about the course?
“Probably seeing how each student on the course brings their twist into PTs from their own experiences in the DF or from their personal sports interests.”

How are you hoping to use the course?
“My plan is to get involved as a PLN Sgt over recruits when I get the opportunity in the Bn. Also I’d like to get involved with our local GAA club next season.”

What fitness are you into yourself?
“I’m play senior football for my local GAA club and also play Soccer in the off season. So for my personal training I like to adapt a Hybrid style of training. Keeping a balance of gym and running.”

Favourite Quote?
“What’s for you will never pass you”

26/06/2025

People of the DF

Rank and Name: Lt Philip O’Brien
Service: Army
Current Role: 2 Pl Comd EUBG

Can you give me a brief description of your career so far?
“I commissioned to the 27 Inf Bn in April 2024 once I finished Cadet Training. In my first year as a commissioned Officer, I have completed an LFTT Cse, trained the 68th 2 Star Pl in Dundalk, and taken up a role as Pl Comd of 2 Pl EUBG in Athlone.”

What made you decide to join the DF?
“I have always had a massive interest in the Defence Forces. After College, I joined the RDF in 7 Inf Bn and it made me realise exactly what career I wanted!”

What did you do before?
“I graduated from DCU in 2021 and took up a job as a Trainee Accountant with Crowe Ireland until I joined the Cadets in Nov 2022.”

What are your hobbies outside the DF?
“GAA has been an ever present in my life since I was small. I play Hurling for Meath and St. Patrick’s Stamullen. In the off Season I play everything from Football, Soccer, Badminton.”

What are your plans and goals for the future?
“I still have a lot to learn about being a good leader, I’m in the best place to make that happen. I will hopefully go to Lebanon with the 27 Inf Bn in Nov 26 and I would love to win another League and Christy Ring double with Meath Hurling next year.”

What is your favourite memory you have from the DF?
“A highlight of my career so far is definitely our exercise in Hungary with the EUBG. Getting to fly on Luftwaffe heavy lift aircraft isn’t something I will get to do very often in my life. Doing it with great people makes it a lot better too.”

What advice would you give to your 18 year old self?
“The good days always outnumber the bad days. You’ll be alright!”

What is your favourite quote?
“‘Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad!’ - BOD”

23/06/2025

People of the DF - PTI Course Series

Name: Sgt Paula Burcheal
Service: 20 years
Unit: Cadet School, military college.

What made you decide to do the PTI course?
“Ever since I became an NCO, it’s been a course I’ve wanted to do. With being in the cadet school and being involved and exposed to a lot of PT sessions, I felt now was the right time to complete the course. I wanted to educate myself on how a PT session is designed and structured from start to finish. I feel doing this course will enhance my career within the cadet school, as we have a lot of ground phases where we have to develop cadets physically.”

What part of the course are you looking most forward to?
“I’m most looking forward to programme planning, and how to develop programmes, and how different sessions fit into an individual’s needs and specific sporting interests.”

What has been your favourite thing about the course?
“The course itself and the people on the course. Both students and the instructors. If I had to pick a stand-out week, it would be the obstacle course, where I was overcoming fears of heights daily and the sense of pride after you overcome that fear is a really good feeling.”

How are you hoping to use the course afterwards?
“Being in a training environment, I have the benefit of using what I’ve learned every day while out on PT sessions. I want to show that PT doesn’t have to be dreaded or hated, and everybody’s 100% looks different. I’m also involved with my local camogie club, so I will be bringing elements of what I’ve learned to training.”

What fitness are you into yourself?
“I love running and love the after feeling a good run has on the mind and the body. I’ve recently started Hyrox, I have 1 or 2 Hyrox events coming up in the summer, so that’s keeping me busy as well.”

Favourite Quote?
‘It always seems impossible until it’s done’

19/06/2025

People of the DF

Name: Richie Barber
Years of Service: 15 years
Current Role: CO Support Coy, 7 Bn
Sport: Soccer

Can you give me a brief description of your career so far?
“I’ve progressed from Cadet School to 27 Bn, 2 Bde HQ, 2 BTC, J4 DFHQ, and now 7 Inf Bn, with three overseas missions to UNDOF, UNIFIL, and a recent six-month deployment with EUMAM UA. I still love it as much as when I joined, working with Ireland’s finest people”

What is your standout moment from your career so far?
“It’s tough to choose, but my first overseas trip as a platoon commander in UNDOF stands out. The excellent team in challenging conditions helped me grow as an officer and person, thanks to the experienced members I worked with.”

What made you decide to go into coaching/managing soccer?
“It felt natural as my playing days slowed—I couldn’t keep up with the young lads! I wanted to stay involved and give back, especially to younger players and soldiers with the DF team.”

Proudest moment so far in sport?
“In the DF, two moments shine: captaining the DF soccer team to beat Germany in the 2014 Euros in France and defeating UKAF 4-1 at St George’s Park with Gareth Southgate watching. As a manager, reaching the CISM World Games quarter-finals in China in 2019 was huge—we were the last European team standing.”

Plans/goals for the future?
“I’m excited for my role in 7 Bn—a vibrant unit with great people. In sports, I’m coaching at Crumlin United, including my son’s team, and looking forward to the season. For DF soccer, we’re preparing for CISM European qualifiers and aiming for the 2027 CISM World Games in America.”

What is your favorite quote?
“I love Theodore Roosevelt’s ‘Man in the Arena’ speech, especially: ‘if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.’ Also, Michael Collins’ words on 1916: ‘That valiant effort and the martyrdoms that followed it finally awoke the sleeping spirit of Ireland.’”

What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
“Go for it—don’t assume you have endless time. None of us control when the clock stops.”

17/06/2025

Throwback Tuesday.

Throwback to March 2013 and we have another cracking issue!!
Great front cover again 👌
Full table of contents!
On Parade section and pictures!
Camp 2-45 pictures and updates!
FIBUA training with the PNCO Course
A great article and photos with the 34th Reserve Infantry Battalion 😊
A full update and pictures on DF sports 😊 and finally… a very good “What I do” interview which is very similar to our current PODF interviews 😊

16/06/2025

People of the DF - PTI Course Series

Name and Rank: Cpl Pat Kenny
Service: 12 years
Unit: ENGR GP DFTC

What made you decide to do the PTI course?
“I’ve always wanted to do this course since my NCO Course as I’ve always had an interest in fitness.”

What part of the course are you looking most forward to?
“Planning programmes and learning more about different types of training and fitness.”

What has been your favourite thing about the course so far?
“Learning about other types of training that I wouldn’t have been exposed to, listening to other students speak about the sports they do and how they train for it.”

How are you hoping to use the course afterwards?
“I coach underage teams and will bring what I’ve learned back into that.”

What fitness are you into yourself?
“I play Hurling with Buffers Alley in Wexford at present and have completed a Triathlon, Road races - 5km, 10km, and half marathons in the past.”

Favourite Quote:
“Hard work was never easy”

13/06/2025

Reminder!!!!

Defence Forces Overseas Family Support
Day!!!
Registration is closing soon for our Overseas Family Support Day .
We have limited spaces available so please register soon to avoid disappointment!!
There are some really cool activities to try out such as Ziplining, Archery, Kayaking and Rock Climbing and much more. Check out some of the activities here
To book your place just tap on the link in our bio
We look forward to seeing you all there 😊

An Cosantóir

10/07/2025

09/07/2025

03/07/2025

02/07/2025

01/07/2025

30/06/2025

26/06/2025

23/06/2025

19/06/2025

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