McCabe’s Ireland’s Call

LUCAN girl Molly Scuffil McCabe has just returned from rugby’s European Grand Prix Series in Liege, Belgium, representing Ireland for the second time at Under-18 7s level.
With 7s now an Olympic Sport, there is a strong focus on development which paid off when the senior women earned their place in the World Series for the coming season earlier this summer.
As part of this development, the IRFU have sent an Under-18 side to two competitions over the summer and Scuffil McCabe has been an integral part of both teams.
Playing her rugby at Westmanstown, she is relatively new to the game having only taken up the sport in the last three years.
When asked what drew her to the sport, she said “I started rugby purely because I wanted to play every sport on offer in my school.
“It was never something I thought I’d be any good at.
“I just wanted to be able to say that I had tried it”.
The school Scuffil McCabe refers to is Lucan Community College where she was coached by none other than Fiona Coughlan, former Irish Grand Slam winning captain.
She went on to join Westmanstown RFC, just outside Lucan, where she developed a love for the game and she explains: “The camaraderie amongst the team is something that seems stronger in rugby than in any other team sport I’ve played.”
Westmanstown are a relatively new club but have enjoyed huge success with a Leinster girls’ title to boast from last season as well as a number of Leinster caps and now an Irish cap.
Asked what she would say to girls considering taking up the game, to which she replied: “Just give it a try! It’s definitely a sport that gives you a sense of achievement, there’s nothing better than being part of a successful team and it’s a brilliant way to keep fit.
“Don’t let tackling put you off because, coming from the ‘princess’ of the team, it’s not as bad as it seems!”
And she will hopefully someday be flying the flag for Lucan at the Olympics. And how does it feel to don the green? “Exciting, terrifying, pure happiness and amazing all jumbled into one.
“Wearing a green jersey makes you stand confident and proud.”
If you are interested, in trying to follow in Scuffil McCabe’s footsteps, Westmanstown RFC is always looking for new players. If interestd, contact [email protected].