Earlier this year at the Aviva Stadium, over 100 Women who had represented Ireland in rugby internationals between 1992 and 2006, when official caps were introduced, were presented with caps marking their achievement of playing for their country.

Among those gathered at the stadium that day to be presented with the caps by IRFU President, Philip Orr, were five Creggs RFC ladies – Fiona Devaney, Mary Grehan, Jacinta Hanley (Gibbons), Paula Keane, and Claire Wall.

The great idea came about as part of the detailed review of the Women’s Game currently being undertaken by Su Carty (a native of Trien near Castlerea), and Mary Quinn.

She is a former President of the IWRFU and World Rugby Women’s Development Manager, and she was recently appointed by the IRFU to the World Rugby Council.

On Saturday night last, Creggs honoured these ladies for their achievements. Su Carty spoke passionately about women’s rugby and the proud place that Creggs RFC holds the history of the sport in Ireland. She and Connacht captain Grainne Egan praised the role models that the Creggs ladies past teams have been. And going forward, with the relaunch of the Girl’s Rugby programme for next season, it won’t be long before Creggs girls and adult ladies teams are making the headlines.

A bouquet of flowers was presented to each of the International cap holders present included Mary Devaney, who represented Fiona, as she was away.

Mary Grehan responded to Sue Carty and Grainne Egan on behalf of the international cap recipients and the Creggs Ladies teams of the past. She thanked the two invited guests, Creggs Rugby Club, and she pointed out the many other great players present and that wore the Creggs jersey, a number of which should possibly have also won caps. She expressed delight too that girls rugby was getting the full backing of the club with coaching teams and developing the game in schools.