Women's All Ireland League Preview
As we enter the start of the Women's All Ireland League on Saturday I am delighted to introduce the upcoming Women's Captain: Michelle Claffey and Vice-Captain: Ali Coleman.
Michelle Claffey will once again lead the women's AIL side for the impending season. Claff bossed the AIL last year and scored one of the tries of the season. Michelle is one of the longest serving Rock players and has vast experience on both the interprovincial and international stages, most recently playing in the 2022 Six Nations. She has mentored countless players over the years in Rock and this year has her sights on the All Ireland League title.
Message from Claff:
"The 2022/23 season is promising for rugby. There is finally a return of rugby as we remember it. While the AIL League will be a shortened version, completed before Christmas, there will be a longer All Ireland Cup in the new year. This, coupled with the Leinster League Division 2 campaign, which was so close to promotion last year, we will aim to go one better. Last year was a year of nearly, almost, so close. We look forward this season and will bring what we learned from last year into the new season with the ultimate goal to bring multiple silverware back to Stradbrook. I am incredibly fortunate to captain our Women's Team, filled with talent. We can't wait for the season to start, picking up from where we finished, representing one of the oldest and most prestigious Clubs in the country."
Ali Coleman has been announced as this season's Vice-Captain. She joined the club as an 18-year old and has graduated from the back three to the back row in recent years. She too is experienced at Interprovincial level playing with Claff at Leinster for a number of year while also representing Ireland in Rugby League, Tag Rugby and Aussie Rules.
Message from Ali:
"Firstly, I’m thankful for the opportunity given to me by the coaching team and for the chance to develop my own game in this new role. I’m looking forward to working with the leadership team and learning from the wealth of experience they have. Blackrock have an amazing squad of players and I’ve enjoyed being part of this team over the last 7 years. I’m looking forward to supporting the team in reaching our full potential and am excited to get started and begin the season."
We would like to wish Michelle, Ali, Ben and Jen, their coaching and management teams and all the Women players who take to the field in the Rock colours all the best of luck in the coming season in their quest to go one better than last season and win the WAIL and Leinster League Div 2.