Hannah O'Connor: Bolters won't disrupt Ireland's Rugby World Cup plans
Former England prop Ellena Perry and Exeter centre Nancy McGillivray both made their Ireland debuts in the recent warm-up games against Canada and Scotland, respectively, while Connacht back row Ivana Kiripati played in both Tests.
Kiripati, 22, played most of her adult rugby in college in the USA but dovetailed her time there with stints in Ireland, impressing for the Clovers in the Celtic Challenge, and Connacht.
Gloucester's Perry, 28, is a replacement for injured front row Christy Haney, while 22-year-old McGillivray's PWR experience has earned her a place in Scott Bemand's 32-player squad.
Neither was named in the 37-player preparation panel back in May.
Back row Deirbhile Nic a Bháird and back Vicky Elmes Kinlan are among those who didn't make the cut for the trip to England, where Ireland will face Japan, Spain and New Zealand in Pool C.
Asked what sort of effect parachuting players in at a late stage has on a squad, former Ireland forward Hannah O'Connor told the RTÉ Rugby podcast: "You can kind of get the gist from the girls and from what you hear in the media and anybody doing interviews, it's a very tight-knit group.
"Everybody gets along very well and they spend a lot of time in each other's company.
"We've heard it in the past from Irish teams under Andy Farrell as well of how cohesive they are as a group in terms of how they get along and that makes a huge difference.
"So from that point of view of the new girls coming in, I wouldn't be overly worried about cohesion in terms of knitting in with the group and I heard Scott mention about everybody who has been in the group has brought something to the group.
On the overall squad selection, O'Connor, who retired last year after leading Leinster to the Women's Interprovincial crown, added: "I suppose no massive surprises in the backs.
Former international @HannahOConnor22 believes the three new Ireland call-ups won't disrupt squad cohesion so close to #RWC2025 - full #RTERugby podcast here https://t.co/dpVmhQ0U29 pic.twitter.com/iSn5Bp5RA8
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 13, 2025
"I think they kind of picked themselves, there hasn't been a lot of surprises.
"I suppose Nancy McGillivray being the only kind of new face in there compared to what we had seen over the last little while [it's] Vicky Elmes Kinlan who'd be disappointed to miss out there.
"In the forwards, obviously Christy Haney is a big blow in terms of the scrum.
"We're not flush on props in Ireland in terms of the grassroots, Ellena Perry comes in [because of her] experience.
"It's such a key position and [I'm] gutted for Christy.
"Scrummaging is her baby and as said she brings a lot of stability there when she's either started or come off the bench.
"Ivana Kiripati is probably the bolter there.
"She's obviously been in the extended squad the last number of years and been in and around the group and training.
"She has played a rugby overseas with college in America and come home for the Celtic Challenge and has played a few interpro games with Connacht.
"I suppose someone like Deirbhile Nic a Bháird is a big name that misses out, which I was surprised at myself, to be honest.
"Her versatility and what she's done both in a Munster jersey and in a club jersey for Belvedere, anytime she's gotten a chance to shine for Ireland, she is that kind of all-action back row player."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Scotland defeat Ireland at EuroHockey Championships
Ireland 2-3 Scotland Ireland suffered their third loss in four outings at the EuroHockey Championships in Germany, as Scotland inflicted a 3-2 defeat on Gareth Grundie's charges. Despite being ranked two place below Ireland in the world rankings at 15, Scotland dominated the early exchanges in this classification encounter, winning the first penalty corner of the game. Sarah Torrans ran down the first effort, before the second was driven wide of the post. Elizabeth Murphy was forced into a save early on as Ireland struggled to retain possession against Scotland's high press. Scotland had two late efforts on goal to break the deadlock before the end of quarter, but both failed to find the back of the net. Chances were few and far between in the second quarter, with Murphy forced into action in a goalmouth scramble. Scotland requested a video referral for a foul, which saw them win a penalty corner with 12 seconds remaining in the half, but Ireland defended well as the game remained scoreless. Ireland took the lead in the third quarter when Katie Mullan, who was free in the circle, drew a foul as she shot at goal. Róisín Upton gives Ireland a 1-0 lead against Scotland from the penalty spot 📺 — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 15, 2025 Róisín Upton made no mistake with the penalty stroke which followed, firing high into the roof of the net, as Ireland registered their first goal at the tournament. However, Scotland pressure mounted in the final quarter, with Ireland forced to defend a player down due to an early green card for Emily Kealy. Ireland conceded a penalty stroke for a coming together in the circle, which Scotland converted via Charlotte Watson to level matters with 11 minutes remaining. Moments after Scotland equalise, Katie Mullan restores Ireland's lead with a clinical finish from a well-worked move 📺 — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 15, 2025 Ireland restored their lead less than two minutes later, with Mullan once again at the centre of things, as she clinically fired into the bottom corner. With eight minutes remaining, Scotland won a penalty corner, and Amy Costello found the net to make it 2-2 Scotland went ahead for the first time after the ball cannoned off the post from a speculative shot from distance, rebounding off Murphy and fall for Heather McEwan to tap home. Murphy was substituted with five minutes remaining in favour of an extra outfield player, but Scotland held firm to secure the win. Ireland will face England in their final match in Monchengladbach on Sunday at 8.30am Irish time, with live coverage on the RTÉ News channel and RTÉ Player.
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Around the NFL: Irish kickers set for weekend of auditions as Jets build with Justin Fields
Over the bar Three Irish players are auditioning to be starting kickers in the NFL, and each is likely to be back on the field for Week 2 of pre-season action this weekend. Mark McNamee's journey to the NFL has been somewhat haphazard, but that is where he seems to thrive. Having only landed stateside the night before the game, he took a few kick-offs for the Packers against the Jets last Saturday and looked solid in his new job, even if it does look like he may be set for a season training as the back-up. That said, all opportunities to impress are precious, and the Ballyboden goalkeeper did his job. "I landed at about 11pm [the night before the game]," McNamee told reporters after the game. "The Packers and the immigration lawyers have been great with me in just getting it done, it's not an easy thing to get a visa. It felt like a long time, but it was only two weeks. It was really quick and I'm really grateful to be here. "It feels like it's the beginning, it's a good moment for me and my family." Elsewhere, Derry native Jude McAtamney kicked a 43-yard field goal and an extra point as the Giants beat the Bills on Saturday. He will likely get another run out against the Jets this weekend. Down native Charlie Smyth, now in his second year, was on target for the New Orleans Saints in their 27-13 loss at the LA Chargers, a 50-yard field goal late in the game one for the highlight reel. Team focus: New York Jets Everyone talked about the Jets when Aaron Rodgers was quarterback. Now, not so much, though that may suit the group as a whole seeing as the team finished with a 5-12 record last year. But in their pre-season game against the Green Bay Packers last week, the Gang Green showed signs of improvement, especially on defence. Their training camps this week with the Giants are also positive, and new quarterback Justin Fields has the backing of his squad. 'There's no question about his unique athletic ability,' Rick Spielman, senior football advisor at the Jets said. 'When you see the evolution of the game today to maybe what it was 10 years ago, you know, the greats like the Tom Brady's of the world or the Peyton Manning's of the world, those guys would have been referred to as guys that were less athletic, but pocket passers that had a tremendous arm and unbelievable accuracy. 'What you're seeing now in today's game, people like Lamar Jackson, Bo Nix who had a great rookie year in Denver last year, Jayden Daniels - all these guys have that arm talent. But they're also unique athletes. And we feel that Justin Fields fits that type of quarterback that not only can make plays with his arms, but he also is going to make plays with his legs when he runs with the football.' One final point on Spielman - I've interviewed a lot of players and coaches who are with teams playing in UK and Ireland games, and most, either out of their genuine belief in challenge or just a need to toe the party line, will say something about how playing in Europe changes how they coach, or the players they want etc. Spielman is straight up, and refreshingly so: 'No, playing in London doesn't affect our roster at all! You're still trying to put your best 53-man roster together, whether we're playing in the UK or Mars. You're going to go there to try to win the ball game. The rest is sports science. 'It's an excellent opportunity to engage with the fans and perform on the world stage, and we aim to do that.' Kudos for being fresh Mr Spielman. Dallas: A soap opera Netflix will release a documentary series next week about the 1990s Dallas Cowboys: America's Team, The Gambler and his Cowboys. Jerry Jones, the team's eccentric owner, is naturally a central character, as he is today as his standoff with star defender Micah Parsons drags on. Most fans want their team's owners and general managers (Jerry is both in Dallas) to be focused on winning. But the Jones dynasty always seems more focused on the attention - which to be fair is the cornerstone to becoming the world's most valuable sports team. And Jerry was remarkably honest about that this week. '"I do believe if we're not being looked at, then I'll do my part to get us looked at," Jones said. "The beautiful thing for networks or, if you will, streaming companies, is that the NFL is a 365-day-a-year interest factory. A lot of programming you have to spend as much to promote it as you do to make it. The Cowboys are a soap opera 365 days a year. When it gets slow, I'll stir it up." "Oh, it's wonderful to have the great athletes, have the great players, but there's something more there," He continued. "There's sizzle, there's emotion, and if you will, there's controversy. That controversy is good stuff in terms of keeping and having people's attention." Jerry Jones. A media dream.
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Conference League play-off explainer: How Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers can unlock €7.5m European bounty
Two Irish clubs have a chance to make the league phase of the 2025/26 Conference League after Shamrock Rovers' impressive win over Ballkani last night saw them join Shelbourne in a round that opens the door to serious riches.
