From Waterford to Galway, Roscommon and the Congo: Jim Fives’ amazing adventure

Jim Fives — granduncle of Waterford defenders Darragh and Shane — played senior hurling for the Déise and then went on to play in two All-Ireland finals for Galway. Throw in three Connacht junior titles with Roscommon and a peacekeeping role in the Congo and it’s been a full and intriguing life.

These soldiers are reasonably used to helicopters but not to what happens next.

Goma, The Congo, late 1960. Hurling arrives in Central Africa. The Irish Forces’ Western Command, captained by Lieutenant Jim Fives, is lining out against its Southern Command.