FORMER Tralee RFC player, Ciara Griffin, has been announced as the new Ireland women’s rugby team captain.
The UL Bohemians and Munster flanker, who made her Ireland debut against Wales during the 2016 Women’s Six Nations, has been capped 17 times for her country, and was part of the Munster side that claimed this season’s IRFU Women’s Interprovincial title last month.
Ciara, daughter of Kathleen and Denis Reidy, hails from Ballymacelligott and works as a primary school teacher in Limerick. She began playing underage rugby with Castleisland RFC and then moved to Tralee RFC at senior level.
She moved clubs to UL Bohemians at the start of the 2016/17 season and helped the Limerick side lift the Women’s All-Ireland League title defeating holders Old Belvedere in the final.
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In a statement on the Irishrugby.ie website, Ireland Women’s head coach Adam Griggs said: “Having watched all of the interprovincial games, as well as reviewing Ireland’s games from the past couple of seasons, Ciara stood out to me as a natural leader.
“What’s clear to me is that she is hugely passionate about pulling on the red jersey of Munster and the green jersey of Ireland and every time she takes the field, not only does she give everything she has, she also has the ability to help others lift their game when needed. I’m looking forward to seeing her take on the captaincy role and leading from the front.”
Speaking about her captaincy on the Irishrugby.ie website, Ciara said; “I’m delighted to have been asked by Adam to captain the side, I feel so proud to represent my country, and to captain the side is the ultimate honour.
“We have gotten through a lot of work over the last number of camps and things are shaping up well ahead of the Six Nations getting underway. With the new coaching team and some new players involved, alongside those with lots of international experience, I’m really looking forward to kicking things off over in France in a few weeks’ time.”
IRFU Director of Women’s Rugby, Anthony Eddy, added: “Since she made her debut in 2016 against Wales, Ciara has shown great leadership qualities both on and off the field. She plays with her heart on her sleeve and is a clever and composed individual.
“Apart from Ciara demonstrating outstanding leadership qualities, her appointment as captain is a big positive for the future development of the side. At 24, we see Ciara being a part of the Ireland Women’s set-up for a number of years and through to the next Women’s Rugby World Cup and beyond, so we are really pleased she has accepted the captaincy and we look forward to seeing her in the role.”
The Ireland Women will face Wales next Sunday in an uncapped warm-up fixture at the CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly, before they get their Six Nations campaign underway against France on Saturday, February 3 in Toulouse,
They will then play Italy, Wales and Scotland at home in Donnybrook before meeting defending champions England in their final game at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.