RWC: Getting To Know Siobhan Fleming

With just over two weeks to go to the Women’s Rugby World Cup in France we catch up with Munster Women’s Player Of The Year 2014, Siobhán Fleming, as she prepares for Ireland’s warm-up friendly against Wales this Sunday, 20th July in Malahide (kick-off 3pm).

A native of Currow in Co. Kerry, Siobhan joins the list of huge rugby talents that have come from this small part of 'The Kingdom' including family cousin Moss Keane, Mick Galway, the Doyle Brothers and Munster out-half JJ Hanrahan.

Siobhan began her sporting career playing Gaelic Football from an early age and represented Kerry over three seasons.

It wasn’t until 2007 at the age of 27 that Siobhan took up rugby at Tralee RFC and quickly advanced to the Munster representative side in season 2010/11.

That year she was honoured the first of her two Munster Women’s Player of the Year awards and it was no surprise when she was soon called up to the Ireland squad claiming the first of her fifteen caps away to France in 2012.

Siobhán was part of last season's Grand Slam winning Irish team, and started in all 5 of Ireland's Six Nations games this year.

With her impressive performances throughout the season Siobhán has booked a back row place in the Ireland squad for the Women’s Rugby World Cup and joins fellow Munster players Niamh Briggs, Gillian Bourke, Heather O’Brien, Fiona Hayes, Laura Guest and Niamh Kavanagh.

Getting To Know Siobhán Fleming

Date of Birth: 2nd October 1981 (age 32)

Club: Tralee RFC

Munster Caps: 12

Ireland Caps: 15

Profession: Special Needs Assistant

Favourite Food: Bacon and Cabbage

Book you are currently reading or have just finished: I’m not into reading.

Favourite TV programme: Heartland

Favourite Film: Pretty Woman

Favourite Actor/Actress: Richard Gere

Most enjoyable holiday location: Once it’s a holiday the location doesn’t matter to me.

Marooned on a desert island what could you not be without: My mom.

Favourite sport other than rugby: GAA football to play or hurling to watch.

The sport you least like: Soccer

Person you would most like to meet: My husband to be………Joke!!!!

Sportsperson you admire most: Sonia O’Sullivan

Hobbies: Football, basketball, running, walking, gardening, playing with my nephews, going out with my friends.

Where and when did you first play rugby: Tralee RFC, November 2007

Biggest influence on career: My Tralee coach Paul “Yak” McMahon

Best career advice you were given: If it was easy everyone would do it…

Best advice you would give yourself: Don’t worry about anyone else just do the best that I can do.

What you like most/least about being a rugby player: The buzz I get on game day when I take to the pitch and get stuck in. Least like the aches and pains afterwards.

Other sports that you played: Football, basketball, badminton, tag rugby.

Best rugby memory: My first start for Ireland on the historic day that we beat England for the first time ever, in Ashbourne 2013 surrounded by family, friend’s and all our supporters. It was the most unbelievable feeling which I will never forget,

Rugby player you admire most: Ronan O’Gara

Rugby team you admire most: The All Blacks

Sporting event you would most like to attend: The Olympics

If you weren't a rugby player what would you be: Still playing football and any other sport that would be going on around me.

How would you like to pass away the time on tour in between training: Chatting to family and friends back home that can’t travel. Hopefully getting to see some of France as a tourist with my family and friends who can travel. Hanging out with the girls on the team. Just chilling listening to my music reflecting on all that is going on.

Three people you would invite to dinner and why: The Dalai Lama for some spiritual enlightenment perhaps, Elvis Presley so he can serenade me with his romantic love songs and last but not least chef Gordon Ramsay, purely because someone has to cook and it sure won’t be me!!!!

To tweet your message of support for the Ireland Women you can use the hashtag #shouldertoshoulder ahead of their Pool B matches where they face USA, Kazakstan and defending champions New Zealand.

Follow all Women's Rugby World Cup updates on #WRWC2014

Ireland Women's Rugby World Cup Fixtures –

Pool Games –

Fri, 1st August, USA v Ireland, Marcoussis (kick-off 17.00)
Tue, 5th August, New Zealand v Ireland, Marcoussis (kick-off 18.00)
Sat 9th August, Ireland v Kazakhstan, Marcoussis (kick-off 13.00)

Playoffs –

Wed, 13th August
Sun, 17th August

Related Articles

Getting to know Laura Guest
Getting to know Fiona Hayes
Getting to know Niamh Kavanagh

Siobhan Fleming, Munster Women's Player of the Year pictured with fellow Kerry native Munster Young Player of the Year, JJ Hanrahan at the 2014 awards.