Local players on Connacht squad preparing for Interpros
Several local players have been selected on the extended Connacht squad for the upcoming IRFU Women’s Interprovincial Championship.
The 56-player squad includes Athlone sisters Ivana Kiripati and Merisa Kiripati, both of whom now play for Creggs RFC. They are daughters of former Buccaneers star and head coach Kolo Kiripati and their mother Mele has also been very involved with the Athlone club.
Faith Oviawe, who previously played for Buccaneers, is another Athlone native in the Connacht squad.
Ireland internationals Béibhinn Parsons from Ballinasloe and Aoibheann Reilly from Creagh are also part of the squad.
Connacht's Interprovincial Championship campaign begins on Sunday, August 10 with a trip to Munster (kick-off 4.15pm), followed by back-to-back home games at Dexcom Stadium, Galway. First up is Ulster on Saturday, August 16 (4.15pm), followed by the visit of Leinster on August 23 (2.30pm).
The finals are scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 30 at Energia Park.
The Connacht squad includes 44 players currently training with the squad, as well as three development players from the U18 girls’ squad. Also named are nine players currently involved with either Ireland’s preparations this year's World Cup or the Sevens programme.
The 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup, which will be hosted by England, starts on August 22. Ireland's first game is against Japan in Franklin's Gardens, Northampton on August 24.
Connacht extended women's rugby squad
Forwards (29)
Jemima Adams Verling (Creggs RFC)
Lily Brady (Westport RFC/UL Bohemians RFC)
Grace Browne Moran (Galwegians RFC)
Ella Burns (Tuam/Oughterard RFC/Galwegians RFC)
Dearbhla Canty (Galwegians RFC)
Hannah Coen (Creggs RFC)
Megan Collis (Railway Union RFC)
Ellen Connolly (Galwegians RFC)
Uillin Eilian (Tuam/Oughterard RFC)
Orla Fenton (Galwegians RFC)
Catherine Fleming (Southeast Galway Warriors/Galwegians RFC)
Poppy Garvey (Railway Union RFC)
Beibhinn Gleeson (Tuam/Oughterard RFC)
Stacy Hanley (Galwegians RFC)
Grace Kellett (Westport RFC)
Ivana Kiripati (Creggs RFC)
Merisa Kiripati (Creggs RFC)
Hope Lowney (MU Barnhall RFC)
Roisin Maher (Galwegians RFC)
Eva McCormack (UL Bohemians RFC)
Sarah McCormick (Galwegians RFC)
Edel McMahon (Exeter Chiefs)
Caoilfhionn Morrissey (Ennis RFC)
Faith Oviawe (Railway Union RFC)
Róisín Power (Ballinasloe RFC)
Ailish Quinn (Galwegians RFC)
Hannah Rapley (Old Belvedere RFC)
Lesley Ring (Old Belvedere RFC)
Karly Tierney (Tuam/Oughterard RFC).
Backs (27)
Clara Barrett (UL Bohemian RFC)
Molly Boote (Tuam/Oughterard RFC)
Hannah Clarke (Galwegians RFC)
Méabh Deely (Blackrock College RFC)
Orla Dixon (Galwegians RFC)
Gemma Faulkner (Galwegians RFC)
Evanna Finn (Southeast Galway Warriors/Galwegians RFC)
Emily Foley (Galwegians RFC)
Nicole Fowley (Galwegians RFC)
Ailbhe Gannon (Tuam/Oughterard RFC)
Aoife Heaney (Claremorris RFC)
Rhiann Heery (Railway Union RFC)
Siofra Hession (Creggs RFC)
Saoirse Kelly (Westport RFC)
Laoise McGonagle (UL Bohemian RFC)
Gráinne Moran (Galwegians RFC)
Orna Murphy (Sligo Rugby)
Fódhla Ní Bhraonáin (Tuam/Oughterard RFC)
Éabha Nic Dhonnacha (UL Bohemian RFC)
Sinead O’Brien (Galwegians RFC)
Holly O’Dwyer (OLBC/Corinthians RFC/Galwegians RFC)
Beibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College RFC)
Sarah Purcell (Galwegians RFC)
Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College RFC)
Ava Ryder (Blackrock College RFC)
Kayla Waldron (Railway Union RFC)
Aisling Whyte (Southeast Galway Warriors).