​Playing With Beibhinn – writes Maebh Deely

I’ve been playing rugby with Beibhinn since I was about 12 or 13.

I knew her as a friend long before we ever played rugby together. We both played on the GAA teams for Ballinasloe in the years before the girls team was set up in the rugby club and we had a mutual friend who introduced us when I was about 9. Beibhinn was like a golden ticket when we played together for Balliansloe and Connacht at underage. Just get her the ball and she’d do something special with it.

I found it funny when she once told me a few years ago that she didn’t know how to tackle people. She was so quick that she would just get to the person with the ball before they could run anywhere ,and in her own words ‘hug them’ , until someone  else got there to tackle them properly. It’s amazing to see how far she’s come in the last few years. I still play alongside her in the Irish women’s sevens programme, I’ve known her all these years and no matter how much hype surrounds her she has not changed much. She’s still the same funny, well-rounded and humble girl, always willing to learn, grow and be better.

Myself and a few of our 7s teammates are heading out to support the XVs women in Italy in their final match of their journey to qualify for the World Cup. I’ll always be excited watching Beibhinn play. It’s gives you a complete different perspective of the game when you know someone who’s playing so well. You feel like your going through all the emotions with them eventhough your just watching.