Ireland 2006

Edinburgh Airport, on the way out


Tasting the delights of Cork


Collins Barracks

It's not often that a foreign army picks a fight with a bunch of amateurs but towards the end of 2005 that's just what was being organised on both side of the Irish Sea.

We had received an invite from the Irish Army we could not refuse, the 4th Infantry Battalion based in Cork, to be precise. Come over and we will give you a game they said.

The next few weeks saw much preparation on and off the pitch and by February our 14 strong squad were ready.

On a cold Friday morning we boarded our flight to Cork and arrived with plenty of time to spend much of the day and most of the night enjoying the sights and sounds of Ireland.

Saturday dawned and we were bused out to Collins Barracks, where we were met by a Piper who marched us to the changing rooms. A great touch from our hosts which is still talked about today!

A 10am kick off ensured that the hosts had the upper hand right from the start, well we were Jocks on Tour in a land famous for the black stuff, The previous night it had seemed churlish not live up to national stereotypes.

After the match, final score around 11-1, we were given a tour of the barracks and a good look around the private museum. To top off a wonderful morning we all sat down to lunch as their guests.

The team expresses their thanks to the 4th Battalion, for their great hospitality and a weekend that is still talked about. An excellent trip and many new friends made.

We look forward to returning the compliment when some of the Battalion players come over later this year or maybe early next year, dates to finalised.

Victory is won not by those who can inflict the most, but by those who can endure the most attrib. Terence McSwiney. ( Team Motto )