Gunning for glory: Edenderry's Sinead Taylor

Edenderry’s Sinead Taylor certainly has an eventful couple of weeks ahead of her.

This Sunday, she is part of the Shelbourne Ladies squad taking on Wexford Youths in the Continental Tyres Women’s FAI Women’s Senior Cup Final final in the Aviva Stadium.

If that wasn’t enough excitement for the former Offaly footballer, she is also part of the 200-strong deployment from the 51st Infantry Group heading to Lebanon on November 17 for a six month peacekeeping operation along the Israeli border.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent, Sinead admitted that while she is “looking forward” to her first peacekeeping mission, she is also, understandably, “a bit anxious”.

“It’s my first trip and I don’t know what to expect, but it’s one of the reasons that I joined the army in the first place.”

Twenty five year old corporal Sinead joined that Defence Forces in 2011 after finishing college and was stationed in Costume Barracks in Athlone before being transferred to Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin. Currently enjoying a well earned break before she departs for the Middle East - one of only 12 female soldiers making the trip - she says she is proud to be serving her country overseas.

“We are known for our peacekeeping. I think it’s because we are impartial and neutral that we are rated highly. We are also one of the most skilled defence forces in the world.”

However, before she can focus on her day job, she has the not insignificant matter of this Sunday’s FAI Cup final in the Aviva to contend with.

Born in the north of England where she spent her first 13 years, Sinead’s love affair with soccer began at the young age of six. She has played with some of Ireland’s best ladies soccer teams including Galway, Peamount United and UCD, before making the move to Shelbourne this season.

While it has been difficult juggling her football and military careers, Sinead is enjoying life with her new team. At the start of this season Shelbourne joined forces with the reigning cup holders Raheny United, but Sinead says that her team go into Sunday’s decider as underdogs. Their opponents, Wexford Youths, won the Continental Tyres Women’s National League last season and are favourites to retain their title again this year.

If Sinead is to receive the best possible going away present from her team mates, they will have to be on top form, she says. She is expecting a large Offaly contingent to make the trip to Dublin for the biggest game of her life.
“It’s not everyday that you get to play at the Aviva, especially when it’s live on telly. You can’t make mistakes as everyone will be watching.”