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A frequently used quote in cohesive workplaces is "Great work colleagues are those who make work seem like play". The LGFA Interfirms blitz day is a space and a day where colleagues get to bring their work to play and as a result will bring their play to work. With over 20 firms and businesses, of all descriptions and nature, taking part across two strands of competitive and recreational, this was a day to acquaint, familiarise, interact and celebrate with people whom you would, in the normal course of events, only see in a professional capacity. This day gives workmates an opportunity to engage and work together in a fashion that is transferable from the pitch to the place of work. Following on from the hugely successful return of the blitz day in 2022, this year saw many returning teams. The GAA National Games Development Centre in Blanchardstown was once again the venue for the 2023 event. 47 games took place across 5 pitches with volunteer referees and pitch coordinators enjoying every second of the day that provided some much-needed fun and some incredible football. Returning for the first time since 2019 were former champions AIB with some very familiar faces to the world of Ladies Gaelic Football. Current Clare captain Caoimhe Harvey was joined by footballing legends Dymphna O'Brien of Limerick and the decorated captain Annie Walsh of Cork to name a few of the players involved. The group stages were fast and furious, such is the nature of the small-sided game, with a skills exhibition taking place across all pitches. Then at the quarter final stage came the game everyone was anticipating. Multi-time champions AIB , who won three successive Interfirms titles from 2017-2019, just pipping the current and returning champions PwC in a tight affair that would warrant PPV status in any other sporting sphere. AIB would go on to claim victory over Boston Scientific in the cup final with Zurich Insurance claiming the shield honors with a cliffhanger game settled only by kicks. As the competitive strand was fast and furious, the recreational strand was fun and frenetic on the other three pitches. One player remarked that they only knew that they were going on a team building day and had never played football before. Many of the participants were from international backgrounds and had not had the chance to experience Gaelic Football before. Being introduced to a non-competitive fun sport by your colleagues is one way to create bonds, cohesion, and trust within the workforce. LGFA President Mícheál Naughton was also on hand to oversee the day's proceedings and to present the winning captains with the cup and shield before jubilant colleagues who will no doubt have plenty of debriefs, descriptions, and depictions to take back to colleagues who could not be present on the day. 2024 already looks like it will see another growth in the ever-popular day where indeed, colleagues become friends and memories and teamwork will, no doubt transfer from the pitch to the workplace and back! LGFA INTERFIRMS BLITZ 2023 LGFA Interfirms 2023 Workplace to Playing Pitch! 40 | AUTUMN 2023 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie