Ciara Galvin to captain Ireland rugby team

TRALEE native Ciara Griffin has described it the “ultimate honour” to be named as captain of the Irish rugby team, adding that she feels “so proud to represent my country.” Galvin, who made her Ireland debut against Wales during the 2016 Women’s Six Nations, has played 17 times for Ireland, and Monday’s announcement is the culmination of many years of hard work and dedication on her part to reach the pinacle of her sport. The 24-year former Castleisland RFC and Tralee RFC player will captain her country for the upcoming Six Nations, starting with a trip to Toulouse to face France on Saturday, February 3. Ireland then host Italy, Wales and Scotland in Donnybrook before meeting defending champions England in their final game in Coventry. Before that, Griffin - a primary school teacher in Limerick - will get to lead Ireland against Wales next Sunday in a warm-up fixture in Caerphilly. “I’M delighted to have been asked by (Head Coach) Adam (Griggs) to captain the side, I feel so proud to represent my country, and to captain the side is the ultimate honour,” Griffin told the IRFU website. “We have gotten through a lot of work over the last number of camps and things are shaping up well ahead of the Six Nations getting underway. With the new coaching team and some new players involved, alongside those with lots of international experience, I’m really looking forward to kicking things off over in France in a few weeks’ time.” GRIFFIN began playing underage rugby with Castleisland RFC before moving to Tralee RFC at senior level. She moved to UL Bohemians at the start of the 2016/17 season and helped the Limerick side win the All-Ireland League title defeating holders Old Belvedere in the final. She was part of the Munster side that claimed this season’s IRFU Women’s Interprovincial title last month. GRIGGS said: “Having watched all of the interprovincial games, as well as reviewing Ireland’s games from the past couple of seasons, Ciara stood out to me as a natural leader. Having worked with her during Ireland camps over the past number of months, I have been really impressed with her work ethic, her attention to detail and how she engages with the other members of the squad, and I’m looking forward to seeing her take on the captaincy role and leading from the front.”