Local players set to feature in Connacht v Leinster rugby clash
Athlone's Fiona Scally is part of the Connacht rugby squad for their clash with Leinster in the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship at The Sportsground today (Saturday), kick-off 2.45pm.
Fiona from Summerhill, Athlone generally operates as a second row forward in rugby, and she is also well known for her basketball prowess. She has represented Ireland in basketball at senior international level, having starred at club level with Galway outfit Maree.
Buccaneers player Faith Oviawe has also been named in the Connacht squad.
The meeting with Leinster marks the first time in nearly two years that the Connacht women’s squad will take to the field, after they reached the final of the 2019 Interprovincial Championship.
Under the direction of head coach Ross Mannion, Connacht are captained by scrum-half Mary Healy.
Following the match against Leinster, Connacht will face Munster at Musgrave Park on Saturday, September 4, before heading to Energia Park for a series finale against Ulster the following week.
Meanwhile, Ireland international Michelle Claffey from Clonaderig, near Ballinahown, is one of two vice-captains on the Leinster squad. Claffey has been named at outside centre for the meeting with Connacht.
There uncapped quartet of Mary Healy, Emma Murphy, Ella Roberts and Ailbhe Dowling will be hoping to get their first Leinster appearances from the bench.
Connacht women's rugby squad 2021
Aifric O’Brien
Ava Ryder
Catherine Martin
Ciara Farrell
Darwyn O’Halloran
Elizabeth McNicholas
Ellen Taite
Emily Gavin
Emma Fabby
Eva McCormack
Faith Oviawe
Fiona Scally
Grace Brown Moran
Hannah Coen
Jessica Loftus
Julia Bauer
Kate Feehan
Lily Brady
Mary Healy (captain)
Meadbh Scally
Megan Walsh
Moya Griffin
Muireann Cawley
Niamh O’Grady
Nicole Carroll
Nicole Fowley
Noreen Cassidy
Orla Dixon
Orla Murray
Rebecca Gavin
Rhiann Heery
Shannon Heapes
Shannon Touhey
Sinead Rigney
Ursula Sammon
Leinster team v Connacht
15. Lauren Farrell McCabe (Suttonians RFC)
14. Grace Miller (Old Belvedere RFC)
13. Michelle Claffey (Blackrock College RFC, vice-captain)
12. Niamh Byrne (Railway Union RFC)
11. Meabh O'Brien (Suttonians RFC)
10. Aine Donnelly (Old Belvedere RFC)
9. Molly Scuffil McCabe (Railway Union RFC)
1. Christy Haney (Blackrock College RFC, captain)
2. Lisa Callan (Railway Union RFC)
3. Caoimhe Molloy (Blackrock College RFC)
4. Elaine Anthony (Old Belvedere RFC)
5. Clodagh Dunne (Old Belvedere RFC)
6. Ali Coleman (Blackrock College RFC)
7. Jennie Finlay (Old Belvedere RFC)
8. Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere RFC)
Replacements:
16. Chloe Blackmore (Railway Union RFC)
17. Vic O'Mahony (Old Belvedere RFC)
18. Mary Healy (Naas RFC)
19. Mairead Holohan (Blackrock RFC)
20. Emma Murphy (Railway Union RFC)
21. Ella Roberts (Wicklow RFC)
22. Nikki Caughey (Railway Union RFC, vice-captain)
23. Ailbhe Dowling (Old Belvedere RFC)