Farrell-McCabe: ‘We will play the Blues way’
The start of the Women’s Interpro tonight will be a big occasion for debutante, Lauren Farrell McCabe, writes Marcus Ó Buachalla
THERE WILL be a few Leinster Rugby senior debuts over the coming weeks and the first of those will be in Blackrock RFC this evening when the senior women’s team take on Ulster. One such debutante is 23-year-old Lauren Farrell McCabe and, like many others girls before her, she has over the last eight years or so found a pathway into a Leinster Rugby senior jersey. “I started playing in Gorey when I was nine. Playing with the boys until under 12s. Loved it. But then we set up a girls team and an under 18s and then finallyaseniorteaminGoreywhichwas a massive boost,” she says. “I had to bide my time before playing with the seniors but did that from about 17 or so and the club have done brilliantly since then. So from Division 4 we’ve built to Division 2 and it’s been brilliant to see the girls and the women’s section in Gorey go from strength to strength.” That story is replicated in clubs right throughout the province and without doubt the appointment of Jennie Bagnall in late 2009 as a full-time Women’s Development Officer in Leinster helped super charge that growth. In 2010 in Leinster there were no mini girls teams, no youth U-15 or U-18 teams and no schoolgirls teams. No vehicles for the Farrell McCabes of tomorrow to hone their skills. Fast forward and there are now over 30 mini girls teams across the province, nearly 50 U-15 and U-18 youth teams and nearly 70 schools teams catering for girls and young women looking to give rugby a try. The recent announcement that Leinster are hiring a second officer to help Bagnall with her duties is a further sign that this growth shows no sign of abating. Music to Farrell McCabe’s ears as she sets her sights on a Leinster debut against Ulster this evening in the first of the Women’s Interpro derbies. “It’s all good news in fairness and we would hope that people who come along to Blackrock to see us against Ulster will see a good brand of rugby, not just women’s rugby and maybe the kids that see that will want to give it a try too. “We have been building towards this day for the last eight weeks or so and hopefully we can inspire the next generation over the next few weekends.”
Massive
Farrell McCabe is now based in Dublin as a primary school teacher in Our Lady of Victories GNS in Ballymun and when not educating third class she plays her rugby with Suttonians. She and ten other uncapped players were called into the squad by new Leinster Rugby coach Ben Armstong and while it is her first taste of the interprovincial scene, she has liked what she has seen so far. “The change in the fixture schedule I think has made a massive difference. Whereas before the girls and the preparations would be interrupted by club commitments and coming and going with that; now we have had an eightweek block to prepare and when we get up and running this weekend we will be left to Leinster duties for the time that we are together. “I think it sets us up brilliantly then for the club scene when that kicks off with Suttonians and I think our clubs will see the benefit too.” The eight weeks have of course been taken seriously by the squad but there have been lighter moments too. “I think Ben has done that brilliantly actually. A good balance. Hard work but also a focus on camaraderie. We had a three-day camp together in King’s Hospital and we lived and trained like professionals for those days. “Nutrition, video, pool recovery sessions, the works. It was brilliant to experience what that could be like but then last week for example we were able to break that all up with a trip to the Leisureplex in Stillorgan and a bite out in Mao’s. “Nothing like a game of bowling to bring out the competitive side in people! But it was great fun and again it’s only on camps like King’s Hos or on social nights like that when you can really get to know people and ultimately those are the people that you want to take to the field with and fight for.” With 11 uncapped players in the squad, there is presumably also the need for experience and there are plenty of wise heads in and amongst the squad too, none more so than their captain, Ireland international Sene Naoupu. “It’s my first time playing with Sene but what can I say about her that hasn’t been said already? I’ve never known a player like her. Her leadership is exemplary and how she carries herself and how she works so hard to involve everyone in what’s going on. “She is inspiring in how she acts, how
she plays, how she talks. It’s been brilliant to see it up close and we’re all looking forward to following her against Ulster.” Following Lauren to Stradbrook this evening, to the Sportsground next week and back to Energia Park against Munster in three weeks’ time will be the extended Farrell McCabe family and obviously a proud moment for mum Cathy and dad Darryl – “our taxi drivers growing up” – to see their daughter wear a Leinster senior jersey for the first time. But just as proud to see their other daughter Kate playing with the Leinster U-18s side in the third year of the interpro U-18 series. “Massively so. More driving for them! Like me, Kate started in Gorey and it’s been brilliant to see her blossom in the structures that have been set up in the club and now to see her also prepare to pull on a Leinster jersey, it’s just been hugely exciting for all the family and in particular for dad who coached us in the club growing up.”
Challenge
‘It’s just been hugely exciting for all the family and in particular for dad who coached us’
To Ulster then and the challenge that they will set Naoupu and her charges. “Ben has been very focused on a game plan and it’s something that has been almost a buzz word for us… keeping things simple but doing the simple brilliantly. “That has been our focus as we prepare for Ulster. We want to represent the jersey and play the way that all Leinster teams play and to that same exacting standard too. “But in a three-game series there is so little room for a slip up and we know, just as Ulster do, that a start and a good start at that is all important.” All roads then lead to Stradbrook this evening and hopefully the start of further good news stories for the women in blue.