Sky’s the limit says new Irish leader Molloy
By DAIRE WALSH
CLAIRE MOLLOY is ready to embrace a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity, as she prepares to lead Ireland into battle for the eagerly-anticipated 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Following the withdrawal of original captain Niamh Briggs through injury at the beginning of last week, Molloy was asked to step into the key leadership role by head coach Tom Tierney.
Speaking yesterday at a captain’s event at UCD for the tournament, Molloy explained the circumstances that led to her accepting the position, and how it was too good of a chance to turn down.
“It was a phone call on Tuesday night. It initially started with a conversation about being part of the leadership group with a couple of the other girls. Then I kind of felt there was another bit of conversation that was about to come,” said Molloy.
“I think you’ve got to answer yes. It’s a home World Cup. You don’t get these opportunities, this is a once in a lifetime thing.
“I’m one of the older players. We’re never going to have a World Cup at home again, and that’s for every player in the squad. We’ve got to make the most of the opportunities. It was a yes, along with a deep breath.”
Briggs’s absence during the Six Nations because of a hamstring injury saw Paula Fitzpatrick stand in as skipper so it came as something of a surprise when Molloy was chosen ahead of her fellow back-row, but the Galway native will nevertheless be looking to a number of her team-mates for guidance.
“It is to do with the role. It has evolved. We have so many leaders on the pitch,” said Molloy.
“It might be a title, but I will be looking to Paula [Fitzpatrick], Maz [Marie Louise Reilly], Nora [Stapleton], Ailis Egan to help me out, to lead on the pitch. We can’t rely on one individual.
“It has got to be a team effort. The rationale is that I have experience. I have been to three World Cups. I will do my best in the role, but I am one of 28 here, and that is the main thing.”
In the build-up to the pool stages the Ireland squad have been adopting the mantra of ‘one game at a time’ – as they aim to reach the final four for the second consecutive tournament.
This ensures they will not be looking beyond their opening game against Australia on Wednesday evening, and Molloy is under no illusions about the challenge that the southern hemisphere outfit will pose.
“It is absolutely massive. This is the game we have been preparing for, been waiting so long to play.
“It is a huge game. We are not going to underestimate them. They are here to spoil the party. They want to beat the home nation. They want to turn all the positives from the home crowd against us. We’ve got to be ready for that.
“Our girls are just focussing on nothing else beyond that. We’re just working on our systems, our structures. It is all about going in with the mental preparation and going in there with confidence and backing ourselves.
“There will be nerves for the first game. There are going to be mistakes. It will be about how you recover from them.”
After defeating four-time world champions New Zealand on their way to qualifying for the 2014 World Cup semi-finals, there are high expectations for Ireland.
Being the host nation will also increase the pressure on Tom Tierney’s charges, but if they focus on delivering strong performances over the next few weeks, Molloy believes they can build serious momentum.
“If we play to our potential, I think the results will happen,” she said. “How far will we go? If we keep getting that performance, that momentum and the drive from the home crowd, the sky is the limit.
“It is all about momentum.”