IT STILL MEATHS SO MUCH TO VIK
VIKKI WALL insists her Meath career isn’t over despite her high-profile switch to rugby.
The two-time All-ireland winner (inset) says she has “parked” her time with the Royals as she pursues a career in a new sport.
The 25-year-old, also a former AFLW player, is racing to get up to speed as she targets a place in the Ireland Women’s Sevens team for the Paris Olympic Games.
“For now it’s parked just because this year it’s a case of trying to do both and not doing either properly at all and I don’t think that’s fair to either team that I’m participating with at the moment,” she said.
“I don’t think it’s doable this year but it’s something that’s definitely not closed.
“It will always be my greatest passion because it’s really hard to take your heart away from a sport that is the place you grew up and the people you grew up with, that’s what makes the GAA so special.”
Wall made her competitive debut during the recent World Series in Perth, where Ireland emerged as tournament winners for the first time.
She didn’t feature in the final but her appearance against Japan was another milestone in a journey that only started last
September.
“To get to experience with all of them and really celebrate it, to win the gold out there was great,” she recalled.
“It was a really, really big moment. I was really proud I suppose over the last few months, getting to that moment.
“Then you get a taste for it and you’re thinking, ‘What’s next?’.”
Wall feels she is getting there in terms of developing a natural feel for Sevens rugby.
“I’d like to think a few things have clicked,” she said.
“Maybe I’m still waiting for that full lightbulb moment but hopefully we’ll get there.”