SOME GAA fans understandably lament having to watch the Ulster Championships from the comfort of their own living rooms but imagine watching the games from the top of a mountain over 5000 miles away?
Irish Army soldiers Cathal Matthews and Tiarnan Burns did just that last Sunday when they cheered Down on to an impressive victory over Fermanagh at Brewster Park from their base at Mount Hermon where they’ve been deployed as part of the United Nations peace-keeping force alongside troops from India, Nepal, Uruguay and the Czech Republic.
Louth-born corporal Matthews is a senior footballer and underage coach with Aghaderg, while Burns plays in midfield for the Kilclief Ben Dhearg club and both were delighted when Paddy Tally’s men saw off Fermanagh by seven points to book their place in this weekend’s semi-finals.
“I was happy enough just to get watching the match on Sunday and win is a bonus,” said Burns.
“There’s a lot of different counties represented out here so it’s hard getting the big screen booked so I’m watching away on the laptop. We’ll be out here for six months and it’s a lot easier being able to live from game-to-game. You get homesick out here and there’s not a lot to remind you of home – it’s a lot of sand and desert. So when you see the boys going out in the red and black jerseys, it lifts the spirits.
“I’m hoping they get to the Ulster final at least and they’ll stand a good chance on Sunday. They’ve a strong squad there and there’s serious pace in the team so I don’t see why they can’t do it.”
Last weekend the Down duo posed for a picture with their county flag at the ‘Hermon Hotel’ on the summit of Mount Hermon which, at 8,184m above sea level, is the highest United Nations military position in the world.
“We just thought we’d go up and bring the flag,” said Burns.
“There’s not too many from Down have been up there before so it’s good to be representing!”
Burns (23) is on his first deployment with the Irish Army but Matthews is on his fourth. Both soldiers are part of the Army’s Quick Reaction Force (QRF) in Syria. They’ll be cheering on the Mournemen in Sunday’s Ulster semi-final clash with Cavan but, if they’re part of a group on standby, they won’t be able to get too comfortable.
“If anything was to happen in our area, we always have a group ready to move if they get the call to whatever the situation is,” Matthews explained.
“We always have a group on standby and then there’s another group on reserve. Once you’re on stand-by, you’re always in uniform ready to go.”
With a large contingent from Donegal in their company, the Down duo are hoping for a Tir Chonaill win over Armagh in tomorrow’s first semi-final and victory for the Mournemen on Sunday to set up a derby battle in the base.
“Down were very impressive against Fermanagh and if they keep that up, start off well, test Cavan and then go for them in the second half I’d say they should beat them,” added Matthews, who’ll be in Syria until next April. Because of Covid-19 protocols there is no leave meaning that the unit in which the Down soldiers’ serve will be in Syria for six months
“It’s great having the football on, it brings us all together and gives us something to talk about,” he said.
“We’re watching a lot of stuff on the GAAGO App. Our boss (group commander) is a big Mayo fan and there’s a load of GAA-heads here watching the games.
“We’re having great banter and we’re hoping that Down go through and if they meet Donegal in the final it’ll be good banter here with the lads from Donegal.”
