Private Gemma O’Connor is well used to operating under difficult conditions and that includes being under high incoming missiles - even if they're mostly O'Neills sliothars.

Gemma joined the Defence Forces over three years ago and is a member of the Army’s 4th Infantry Brigade, based in Collins Barracks, in Cork. That’s a handy location for her, because she also holds the rank of Captain. Except, it’s not a military rank, but maybe the even more prestigious one as Captain of Cork’s senior camogie team.

Gemma has probably won more medals and major honours in her chosen sport than the Chief of Staff himself, former Roscommon football ace, Dermot Earley. She has three All Star Awards, one of them presented to by President McAleese while she was serving overseas with the Army. She has two minor and three senior All Ireland medals as well as National League medals. She was 'Irish Examiner' Young Player of the Year in 2002 and Camogie Player of the Year in 2005.

Three years ago, Private O’Connor served for six months in the African troublespot of Liberia, as part of the 92nd Infantry Battalion. It was tough work. Liberia had just come out of a bloody civil war with 150,000 people dead as a result. The United Nations seemed determined to bring peace to that troubled land and, so, a 15,000 strong force was deployed drawn from African and European countries.

The infantry’s job was to take part in long range patrols out into dangerous rebel-held territory, sometimes lasting nine days. They guarded key installations, kept the roads open, searched for weapons, and became a key element of the UN’s Quick Reaction Force, designed to stamp out aggression immediately.

As usual when they are overseas, the Irish were heavily involved in humanitarian projects. These included the construction of a major extension to a HIV/AIDS hospice in Monrovia run by the Sisters of Charity, and support for leprosy and polio centres and numerous schools.

Africa was an interesting, if tough experience for Gemma: ‘You see things you wouldn’t see at home. The poverty is unreal. However, it was a great experience. The thing about the Army is you get to see the world. The people in Liberia were extremely happy to see Irish UN forces out there and it’s been appreciated and that’s a positive for the Army’.

Gemma says Army life is good for anyone interested in sport: ‘They look after me very well. It’s a good environment. The Army emphasises sport a lot, so the interest is there. It’s a good job for anybody that’s active and interested in sport. They look after you well on that side of things’.