Metro Eireann

Dampened spirits at the end of this year’s interpros

Last update: Thursday, December 10, 2009, 16:51 | By: Fiona Coghlan

Last Sunday was D-Day for us – the final of this winter’s interprovincial tournament. The weekend began early on Saturday morning, when I met up with the rest of the Leinster squad in Donnybrook to do a team run. Later in the afternoon we gathered at the Montrose Hotel, where we were all staying, to watch Ireland’s men take on South Africa at Croke Park.

Munster get bragging rights

Last update: Thursday, November 5, 2009, 09:24 | By: Fiona Coghlan

Yet again the bragging rights go to Munster after the second round of the Interprovincial Series in the Rebel County.

Illness won't hold me back

Last update: Thursday, October 22, 2009, 04:23 | By: Fiona Coghlan

We had our first interprovincial game against Connacht, and we come away with a comprehensive 33–8 victory.

Tough start to the season

Last update: Thursday, September 10, 2009, 15:56 | By: Fiona Coghlan

It’s September, and the rugby season has officially started. The provinces are in Magners League action, and the clubs are participating in various competitions throughout the country.

Rugby fever takes hold

Last update: Thursday, August 27, 2009, 12:53 | By: Fiona Coghlan

At last, we’re back on the pitch! At Lein-ster, Tania Rosser has taken over as assistant coach to the backs, acting as player/coach. I think that her and Philip Doyle are a great combination and work really well together. Doyle is the most organised coach I have been under and he infects everyone with his professional attitude.

Irish sport needs support

Last update: Thursday, August 13, 2009, 01:48 | By: Fiona Coghlan

After numerous physio sessions, things for me are now back on track. I am once again running at full tilt and I’ve started lifting again. Although everything has been pretty much in straight lines, my knee feels strong and I have been comfortable doing everything.

Fighting fit for the season

Last update: Thursday, July 16, 2009, 17:52 | By: Fiona Coghlan

Well the British and Irish Lions had a spectacular bounce back from their first two losses. The third game was again played at altitude in Johannesburg – more than a mile above sea level. But the Lions were adjusted to the climate, and from start to finish they were in complete control. With sustained pressure it was only a matter of time before they scored.

Lions playing with pride

Last update: Thursday, July 2, 2009, 15:48 | By: Fiona Coghlan

Leinster training has officially begun, with pre-season preparations in the gym. Now there are 35 squad members in the gym at six in the morning every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I have been doing this for the last four weeks, and the early mornings have got a little bit easier.

We are the champions!

Last update: Thursday, May 7, 2009, 00:35 | By: Fiona Coghlan

All our hard work came to fruition on 25 April when my club UL Bohs took home the AIL championship.

England loss leaves us bloodied but unbowed

Last update: Thursday, March 12, 2009, 18:47 | By: Fiona Coghlan

We’re midway through the women’s Six Nations, and it’s a wide-open race. This is the first time in years that the title could go one of four ways. France, England Wales and Ireland have all lost one game each. Now we’re heading into the final two games looking for wins – but points difference is also important, as this can mean the difference between first and second place.

Six Nations is wide open

Last update: Thursday, February 26, 2009, 17:28 | By: Fiona Coghlan

Two games, two wins: the best start to a Six Nations we’ve ever had! Our latest opponents, Italy, may only be in their third championship but have had good money pumped into their game. The Italians do suffer from a number of their players competing with clubs abroad, but their confidence was high at the end of last season, when they beat Scotland and avoided the dreaded wooden spoon.

Now on the road to victory

Last update: Thursday, February 12, 2009, 16:27 | By: Fiona Coghlan

We had our last session before the Six Nations on Saturday 31 January on the excellent all-weather rugby pitch at UCD. It was a nice change not being covered in muck while we trained! There were 28 squad members there, each of us looking to impress the coaches before the final 22 were announced at the end of the session.

‘We need to train our minds’

Last update: Thursday, January 29, 2009, 18:02 | By: Fiona Coghlan

It’s all systems go towards the Six Nations, with just two weeks before the first game of this year’s competition. Although we have had a number of squad sessions, you can never have enough as there are always areas to improve on.

‘Onwards and upwards - but we must take our chances’

Last update: Thursday, January 15, 2009, 05:25 | By: Fiona Coghlan

The England game panned out better than we would have expected at this stage of the season. Things got off to an awkward start with some confusion prior to the match about the singing of anthems – England were adamant that this was a full international and wanted to sing, but because we weren’t considering it as a full international, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) didn’t want any singing.

Gearing up for the Six Nations

Last update: Thursday, January 1, 2009, 07:13 | By: Fiona Coghlan

The national squad is now back into the swing of things. We had a training session two weekends ago in Alsaa, near Dublin Airport, and there were loads of new faces, which makes things exciting as places are up for grabs. The competition in trying to secure a place on the squad is something that drives players and increases standards. Yet in saying that, I do miss the girls that have retired; they are great friends made through rugby.

Braving the winter chill

Last update: Thursday, December 4, 2008, 04:13 | By: Fiona Coghlan

There has been some disappointing news for the Irish squad, as number of experienced players have decided to retire or take a year out of rugby.

Rugby Diary