A wonderful bit of breaking news on the sporting front informs us that Castleisland native, Sharon Lynch has been called up to the Irish squad for the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup in France by head coach Philip Doyle. There, the Dublin domiciled Sharon will join Currow’s trail blazer and the highly honoured, Siobhán Fleming in the forwards’ squad.
The Old Belvedere forward is reported to be delighted to be part of a 26-woman squad for the tournament which will take place over the first few weeks of next month.
Ireland begin their campaign against USA on August 1st and they also face New Zealand and Kazakhstan in Pool B.
TG4 has announced that it will broadcast Ireland’s pool games live as well as both semi-finals and finals. Ireland’s game against New Zealand will be televised live on Sky Sports.
Sharon Lynch’s inclusion in the squad is all the sweeter in the light of the fact that the numbers involved had to be cut to 26 at the weekend.
“Women’s rugby is at an all-time high in Ireland and with that comes great expectation. We are well placed for the tournament and are all looking forward to heading to France and getting started,” said Mr. Doyle.
Ireland’s Pool Games include: August 1st.: V USA; August 5th.: V New Zealand and, on August 9th.: V Kazakhstan.
The squad of forwards includes: Gillian Bourke, UL Bohemians/Munster; Fiona Coghlan, UL Bohemians/Leinster;
Kerrie Ann Craddock, Saracens/Exiles; Ailis Egan, Old Belvedere/Leinster; Orla Fitzsimons, St Mary’s College/Leinster; Siobhan Fleming, Tralee/Munster; Laura Guest, Highfield/Munster; Fiona Hayes, UL Bohemians/Munster;
Sharon Lynch, Old Belvedere/Leinster; Claire Molloy, Bristol/Connacht; Heather O’Brien, Highfield RFC/Munster;
Marie Louise Reilly, Old Belvedere/Leinster; Sophie Spence, Old Belvedere/Leinster.
Backs: Ashleigh Baxter, Belfast Harlequins/Ulster; Niamh Briggs, UL Bohemians/Munster; Lynne Cantwell, Richmond RFC/Exile; Hannah Casey, Saracens/Exiles; Grace Davitt, Cooke/Ulster; Paula Fitzpatrick, St Mary’s College/Leinster;
Niamh Kavanagh, UL Bohemians/Munster; Alison Miller, Portlaoise/Connacht; Larissa Muldoon, Bristol/Exile;
Jenny Murphy, Old Belvedere/Leinster; Tania Rosser, Blackrock/Leinster; Nora Stapleton, Old Belvedere/Leinster and Jackie Shiels, Richmond RFC/Exile.
