This week I'm joined by none other than former Irish rugby international Niamh Briggs.
In this episode, we hear about Niamh's journey from not playing rugby to representing Ireland at the top level.
She shares the highs and lows from these years, from accomplishing things which no Irish team had previously done to dealing with injuries and the cutthroat side of top-level sport.
We learn lots about what it took to get to that level and the attitude she had throughout her playing years, plus plenty of good stories in between!
Following her playing career ending Niamh talks about her new love, coaching and her involvement in Ireland and Munster and the things she holds important when coaching at the top level.
All in all, it's a great listen and a great opportunity to get inside the head of one of someone who played at the top level and achieved so much.
Hope you enjoy it :)
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Disclaimer: this podcast represents the opinions of Eoghan and his guests to the show. The content here should not be taken as medical advice.
Time Stamps:
0.35 – Introduction to Niamh.
3.29 – Niamh’s expectations starting off, did she ever dream she’d be where she is now.
5.35 - Struggles with GAA.
7.30 – Fully transitioning to rugby and the key skills she focused on when starting off her rugby journey.
10.50 - Mentality around that Irish group which won in 13 and 15.
16.00 - Background of that group of girls in those initial Irish teams.
17.13 – What women’s rugby looked like when Niamh started off and some of the differences to what it is now.
23.38 – French game that really caused demand for increased standards in how Irish women’s rugby was being treated and paving the way for better standards.
27.20 – How kicking for Ireland came about and learning that skill.
38.05 – How Niamh is on the lead up to big matches and occasions.
40.35 – Career highlights, lows and injuries.
47.50 – Transitioning into coaching and going back to being a beginner again.
50.05 – Current coaching roles.
53.25 – What Niamh brings to her coaching setups and things she puts high importance on coaching wise.
58.00 – What things Niamh thinks young girls should focus on starting off to get themselves into a position to be able to play high level rugby.
1.02.25 – Recommending enjoying rugby and thoughts on how to manage that. If Niamh enjoyed, it more does she think she would of got to where she is.
1.04.21 – Current players singing, making TikTok’s and not dwelling on losses.
1.09.25 – Key things Ireland needs to work on to improve the game and where she sees the game going in the next few years.