KATE FLANNERY is the sole Munster representative in the historic Ireland Women’s Under-20 squad, named by coach Neill Alcorn.
It is the first occasion that the country has ever fielded a female team at this level, one which will compete in a series of training fixtures with hosts Italy and Scotland at Stadio Tommaso Fattori, L’Aquila, later in the month.
The 19-year-old, joining Alcorn’s 26-player squad, is attached to UL Bohemian.
“We had 44 players at last month’s screening camp, and the coaching team of Neill, Larissa Muldoon and Matt Gill have selected an exciting mix of talented players from across the country, all of whom have impressed for their club, province, or at under-age international level in a green jersey,” said Kate Fitzhenry, Women’s National Talent Squad Identification Manager with the IRFU.
“It is a hugely exciting time for everyone involved and this is another important step for our Women’s Pathway, providing a platform for the further development of our best young players and exposing them to international rugby at an early stage in their career.”