News

Highlights: September 2024

A Win of Epic Proportions

The Irish Women’s XVs closed out the month with a seismic win over the reigning world champions, the Black Ferns. Described as ‘ruthless’ by the New Zealand press, Ireland found their way to the front in the closing stages of the WXV1 bout through tries from Aoife Wafer (2), Erin King (2) and the boot of Dannah O’Brien. In a further display of resilience that the team has demonstrated in spades off the field over recent times, they managed to hold out sparking scenes of unbridled joy. It is an occasion that will live long in their memories. 

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Travis Prior

Having warmed up for their WXV campaign with an impressive victory over Australia in a match to kick-off Irish Rugby’s 150th anniversary commemorations, Edel McMahon and her teammates are starting to find some momentum. That game was also notable as Vicky Elmes-Kinlan, Ruth Campbell, Siobhán McCarthy and Erin King all made their international XVs debuts. Furthermore, having become a mother and overcome two significant injuries since her last Irish outing in April 2022, Eimear Considine made her return to the Irish set-up with Caolán by her side, marking the day with a try. 

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Personal Achievements

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Cian Healy became the most capped player in the history of Leinster Rugby as they faced the Dragons at the Aviva. Healy was presented with his historic cap by Devin Toner who had held the record since 2022. 

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie

Denis Buckley became just the third Connacht Rugby player to reach 250 caps for the province, following in the footsteps of John Muldoon and Michael Swift. 

Our congratulations to all winners at the Munster Rugby awards – Calvin Nash (Men’s POTY), Maeve Óg O’Leary (Women’s POTY), John Hodnett & Muirne Wall (Supporters’ POTY), Brian Gleeson (Academy POTY) and Beth Buttimer (Breakthrough Women’s POTY). 

Meanwhile, our best wishes to Cian Prendergast, Tadhg Beirne and Caelan Doris who have all been newly appointed as captains for their respective provinces for the 2024/25 campaign. 

European Athletes & Players’ Association General Assembly

Members of Rugby Players Ireland’s team were in Alicante for the EAPA General Assembly. Each year the General Assembly marks a pivotal moment in the European player movement calendar as associations from across the continent and sport come together to unite and share, with the purpose of keeping the voices of their athletes and players to the fore of the conversation. 

The gathering also facilitated the PROtect Integrity Online Conference which seeks to educate athletes on the promotion of integrity and values in sport, with a focus on match-fixing. Recently, Rugby Players Ireland were announced as project partners in the latest iteration of the European funded project. PROtect Integrity Responsibly kicks off in 2025. 

Tackle Your Feelings

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Tom Maher

With the academic year in full swing, Calvin Nash and Christy Haney teamed up with TYF to kick-start a new year of mental wellbeing education in schools across Ireland. 

TYF also had a presence at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska. Mike Ross spoke on the campaign’s behalf as part of an Ireland AM segment on Virgin Media. Olympians Niall Comerford and Kathy Baker were also on hand to meet with Special Olympics athletes ahead of the World Games. 

Community Engagement

Bundee Aki paid a memorable visit to the LauraLynn Hospice in Leopardstown. In what was a busy month for the World Rugby Player of the Year nominee, he was also granted Irish citizenship. 

In other community engagement initiatives, Will Connors, Max Deegan, Aoife Wafer and Energia ambassador Hugo Keenan formed a formidable team at the Barnhall RFC All-Inclusive Tag Rugby Blitz. 

Staff Away Day

Ahead of the new season, Rugby Players Ireland staff gathered in Killaloe to appraise plans for the current campaign. While we paid a visit to the Munster Rugby squad, we were delighted to be joined by our Chairperson Peter O’Mahony and his teammates Stephen Archer, Diarmuid Barron, Alex Nankivell and Niall Scannell for a social outing. 

Irish Management Institute

Our congratulations to former players Kieran Lewis and Paul Marshall who are the recipients of this year’s IMI/Rugby Players Ireland scholarship.

For more on the scholarship, click here.  

New Deals

Gavin Thornbury has joined Northampton Saints following a successful trial period with the Gallagher Premiership Champions. Former Leinster Rugby player Martin Moloney has signed for Exeter Chiefs. 

Stuart McCloskey has committed his future to Ulster Rugby penning a new two-year deal. Harry Sheridan has also put pen to paper. In a busy few weeks for the province, prop Corrie Barrett has signed on following the retirement of Marty Moore while Tadgh McElroy has linked up with the  squad as short-term cover.  

Retirements

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

Following Leinster’s interprovincial championship triumph, captain Hannah O’Connor announced her retirement. A decision that had been made earlier this year, Hannah bows out with 21 Irish caps. 

Citing the mental toll of the game, Jack Regan said that while he had “given everything, it’s clear my body can’t give enough back.” A former Ulster Rugby academy player, Regan enjoyed spells with the Highlanders in New Zealand, Skokki Shuttles of Japan and the Ospreys in Wales before returning to Ireland last year. However, having taken a step back from professional rugby, Regan was just ten minutes into his Terenure Rugby Club career last season when he injured his shoulder, prompting a deeper evaluation of his commitment to the game.  

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

In his retirement statement, Marty Moore also spoke of his need to prioritise his mental wellbeing. A Six Nations winner with Ireland, Moore spent six seasons at Ulster Rugby whom he joined after a spell in the English Premiership with Wasps which followed his emergence through the Leinster Rugby pathway. 

Claire Molloy bid a final farewell to the game as she lined out in her customary 7 jersey for the Barbarians in their clash with South Africa. Molloy had announced her retirement from the international set-up in 2021. 

Following a busy few days in Cape Town, Ciara Cooney decided to call time on her career. An Irish international since 2015, Cooney was a member of the Railway Union contingent but had moved to England in recent years and enjoyed spells with Wasps, Gloucester Hartpury and Harlequins. 

Finally, former Leinster Rugby Nick McCarthy has brought his ten-year rugby career to a close following a season in Chicago.