Offaly camogie player joins the army

An Offaly camogie player was yesterday (Thursday) one of just five women to become army privates at a passing out ceremony in Athlone. Siobhan Flannery from just outside Banagher passed out as a two star private at Custume Barracks yesterday. She was one of 43 recruits to join the ranks of the Defence Forces as part of the 25th Recruit Platoon. She told the Offaly Independent this week that she joined the army because she thought it would be a great career. She had completed a degree in engineering first and said she had wanted to experience college life. She will be attached to the 4th Field CIS company in Athlone once she completes her training. She said this week that she is looking forward to being attached to her unit and hopes to travel overseas and represent her country. Her advice to anyone who is considering a career in the Defence Forces is to go for it, saying it provides great opportunities you wouldn't normally get.