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Highlights: July 2024

An Olympic Journey

While there was plenty of character on display over the course of their respective campaigns, the Irish Men’s and Women’s sides’ medal hopes were both dashed at the quarter-final stage in Paris. 

Despite the perfect start to Paris 2024 with impressive wins over South Africa and Japan, the Irish Men’s side saw a 12-point lead overturned by New Zealand in their final pool game, a result that ultimately saw them pitted against Fiji in the knockout stages. While Harry McNulty and his teammates were a match for the reigning Olympic Champions, the Fijians completed a rapid fire second-half comeback to take the spoils. Ireland would go on to finish sixth overall. 

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Having earned great credit for taking the contest to the same Australian side in their final pool game earlier in the day, the Irish Women’s side struggled to contain some strong running from the likes of Madison Levi who effectively sealed the Aussies’ semi-final place before half-time. 

The tournament proved to be something of an emotional rollercoaster for the Women’s team. As they charged to a comprehensive win over South Africa in their second outing, Lucy Mulhall Rock pulled up with an injury on what proved to be her last outing for a team she has led for the best part of a decade.  

Following confirmation of Ireland’s eighth-placed standing, Lucy issued a touching statement announcing her retirement from the game. “It’s taught me so much over the years…” the statement reads, “about failure and how to bounce back from it, about humility and the importance of it, about winning and how it doesn’t fulfill us, about resilience, empathy, hard work, commitment, pride, heart…” 

For more, read her statement here.

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

At an End

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

After a 13 month season, the Irish men’s side closed out the campaign in dramatic style following Ciarán Frawley‘s drop-goal in Durban to draw a ferocious series with the Springboks. South Africa clearly had unfinished business in the opening Test, while the Irish approached the second in a similar mood, with neither side shying away from some brutal exchanges. 

While a historic series win in South Africa continues to elude them, Ireland can be immensely proud of their efforts. Indeed it was quite remarkable that a group, who set out on their Rugby World Cup adventure in June 2024, battled away until the very last kick of their season. 

The series was also notable for the introduction of Jamie Osborne to the international arena. Lining out at full-back, the Naas RFC man justified Andy Farrell’s faith in his talents and looked quite at home in the backfield. The 22 year-old scored his first try for his country on his debut before putting in a brilliant all-round display the following week. 

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Sadly, we won’t see Dan Sheehan for some time. The hooker sustained significant knee damage in the first test and won’t return to action until 2025. Irish co-captain Sam Monaghan is also set for an extended period on the sidelines after sustaining a similar injury.

Meanwhile, the Irish Rugby 20s had a stuttering World Rugby U20 Championship. After a promising start to their tournament, adverse weather conditions saw their game with Australia cancelled teeing up a semi-final against England. Fresh from a victorious Six Nations campaign, the English were able to withstand an early Irish onslaught to emerge with a 31-20 win.

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Darren Stewart

Ireland, coached by former player Willie Faloon alongside Ian Keatley, Aaron Dundon and Neil Doak, subsequently fell to New Zealand in the Third Place play-off. 

Personal Development

Aoife Lane called down to UCD to see Dorothy Wall graduate as a radiographer. With her studies now behind her, Dorothy has sealed a move to Exeter Chiefs. 

We were delighted to see Tadhg Furlong pass his recent ACCA exams through PAT Business School. 

Leah Tarpey represented Rugby Players Ireland at the United Against Online Abuse in Sport coalition forum in Dublin. Leah shared some of her recent learnings from increased exposure across social media. 

Dr Emma Burrows attended the Leinster Rugby School of Excellence to share a bit of about life behind the scenes in professional rugby. Emma explained the importance of personal development and the management of mental wellbeing to its attendees. 

Our congratulations to Kathryn Dane who enjoyed a hugely productive month. Not only did she submit her PhD thesis on ‘Safety and Optimal Tackle Outcomes in Women’s Rugby Union,’ she also returned to the field after two years on the sidelines. 

Safeguarding of Athletes

Together with the GPA, the Irish Jockeys Association and the PFAI, Rugby Players Ireland released a statement underlining their commitment to safeguarding its members following a revealing investigation carried out by RTÉ and the Sunday Independent into the allegations of inappropriate behaviour by coaches at all levels in Irish soccer during the 1990s. 

The Irish Athletes Alliance also proposes to meet with various government agencies and key stakeholders in Irish sport to ensure steps are taken to guarantee an athlete’s safety. 

Rugby Players Ireland’s members were also reminded of the supports available to them. 

Tackle Your Feelings

As the countdown to Paris 2024 picked up the pace, Tackle Your Feelings launched its latest content series featuring a host for Irish Rugby 7s stars. To date Eve Higgins, Hugo Lennox, Vikki Wall and Bryan Mollen have all featured in ‘Seven Lessons with the Rugby 7s’ which has seen each player return to their former school.

As the Olympic Games kicked off in Paris, Vikki Wall spoke to the media on behalf of TYF about challenges she has overcome in moving between several sports, her experience with the Irish 7s, her disappointment in missing out on the Games and how changing things up keeps her fresh. 

Throughout the series, the players meet with former teachers, former coaches and current students to reflect on their time at the school, share some of the learnings of their rugby careers and how important mental wellbeing has been to their success. 

A True Team

Our congratulations to fellow Irish internationals Fiona Tuite and Eric O’Sullivan who have announced their engagement. It follows a productive campaign for the pair. A regular in Richie Murphy’s Ulster Rugby side, O’Sullivan’s form saw him secure a contract extension for the coming season while Tuite made her international bow last October. 

On the Move

Rabah Slimani‘s much anticipated move to Leinster Rugby was confirmed, as was Joey Carbery’s switch to Bordeaux Bégles. 

All Black Josh Ioane joins Connacht Rugby from the Chiefs. Ioane will deputise for JJ Hanrahan who injured his ACL in May. 

Tom Daly has signed for Stade Nicois in the French Pro D2, while Daly’s former teammate Sammy Arnold departs Brive for Newcastle Falcons with Dominic Roberston McCoy pitching up at Aurillac. 

Scott Buckley has joined Australian club Randwick on a short-term loan deal from Munster Rugby. 

Grace Moore has joined Ealing Trailfinders where she will be joined by Ireland U20 international Niamh Gallagher. 

Clubhouse

Claire Molloy has announced that she is hanging up her boots. Despite retiring from international rugby back in 2021, Molloy continued to be a formidable force for Bristol Bears Women in the Premiership. The Galway woman is a qualified doctor and currently works in Paediatric Emergency Medicine in Cardiff. 

Ian McKinley has returned to Italy to take up a coaching role with Rugby Vicenza in the Serie A elite league. 

Jonny Murphy has announced that he is set to release a book early next year. ‘Bakes and Wee Treats’ will be available from March but in a revealing clip, Jonny (aka The Hungry Hooker) explains how the book represents something more in his life as he shares some of the struggles he faced following his retirement from the game. 

You can watch the clip here.

End of Season Magazine