Munster Women Celebrate Success

Last Friday evening, the Munster Women’s Team exchanged their rugby training gear for glitz and glamour in a bid to celebrate their three in a row Inter-Provincial Title.

The team and management celebrated the success in the Clarion Suites in Limerick and were joined by Declan Madden, Munster Branch Vice President, Catherine Kenny, Munster Women’s Committee Chairperson, Susan Carty, IRFU Women’s Committee Chairperson and Richard Collins, CEO of the team sponsor Richmond Capital.

Each of the afore mentioned addressed the team and management and paid them well deserved praise for their hard work and committment displayed throughout another sucessful Women’s Inter-Provincial Campaign. This is the women’s third consecutive season winning the Inter-Provincial Title and have remained unbeaten in all 12 games.

Munster and Irish rugby player, John Hayes, also joined the celebrations and was on hand to present two awards on the evening. Full Back Niamh Briggs was presented with the Munster Women’s Player of the Year Award, while Kate O’ Loughlin equally comfortable at second or back row won the award for Unsung Hero.

Briggs will now go forward as the Women’s Player of the Year to the Annual Munster Rugby Awards evening at the end of the season.

There were two special presentations made on the evening by coaches Donal O’ Driscoll and Fiona Steed. The first was made to Sarah Jane Belton (accepted by Patrique Kelly in her absence) following the announcement of her retirement from rugby.

Sarah Jane who has accumulated 60 consecutive Irish caps since 2000 as well as playing for Munster and club sides Shannon and U.L. Bohemians will certainly be missed on the pitch.

The second presentation was made to last years Munster captain, Marie Barrett. Marie who has 26 Irish caps under her belt, plays her club rugby with Ballincollig having started her career with Highfield. Marie also announced her retirement from representative rugby. Marie will be missed in both Munster and Irish camps by all.

On behalf of all at Munster Rugby, I would like to congratulate both Sarah Jane and Marie on a superb and memorable playing career and wish them the best of luck for future endeavours.

Best of luck to the 13 Munster players in the current Irish Training Squad and indeed to all players in the rest of their Domestic season.