Mayo soldiers cheering on the county team from Syria

MAYO soldiers deployed in Syria as part of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force will be supporting their team in the All-Ireland semi-final this weekend.

Last April, 63 Infantry Group deployed to the Golan Heights, in Southwestern Syria, to take up the role of the Force Reserve Company in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force mission (UNDOF). The majority of the soldiers deployed are from an Chéad Chathláin Coisithe, 1st Infantry Battalion, based in Dún Ui Mhaoilíosa barracks, Galway.

The Irish Infantry Group's main task is to operate the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) throughout the UNDOF mission area. They are ready to rapidly deploy at the Force Commander’s command.

The group has a wide range of capabilities, including armoured force protection, patrolling and mobility, communications, engineer search and clearance, explosive ordinance disposal, medical and operational expertise.

Since their deployment they have completed multiple operations by day and night, including armed patrols throughout the mission area, armed escorts of United Nations personnel and search and clearance operations of United Nations positions destroyed during the ongoing civil war.

The soldiers are deployed in Syria for six months and will return to Ireland in October.

Pictured above supporting the green and red are, from left, Cpl Darren Clarke, Kiltimagh, S/S Joseph Doherty, Belcarra, Sgt Aidan Barrett, Ballina, S/S Joshua Kelly, Foxford, Cpl James Gibbons, Louisburgh, and Lt Owen McNamara, Achill.