Claire Molloy Explained

Claire Molloy
Birth Date:22 June 1988 [1]
Birth Place:County Galway, Ireland[2]
Ru Position:Loose forward
Ru Currentteam:Bristol Bears
School:Coláiste Iognáid[3] [4]
University:Cardiff University[5]
Occupation:Doctor
Ru Clubyears:2008–2009
2009–
2010–2018
2018-2022
2022-
Ru Proclubs:Cardiff Quins
Galwegians
Bristol Ladies
Wasps
Bristol Bears
Ru Provinceyears1:2008–
2013–
Ru Province1:Connacht
Irish Exiles
Ru Nationalyears:2009–
Ru Nationalcaps:70 50 points
Repsevensyears1:20xx–

Claire Molloy is an Ireland women's rugby union international from Galway. Molloy represented Ireland at the 2010, 2014 and 2017 Women's Rugby World Cups. At the 2014 tournament she was a member of the Ireland team that defeated New Zealand and she captained Ireland at the 2017 tournament. She was also a member of the Ireland teams that won the 2013 and 2015 Women's Six Nations Championships. She is also an Ireland women's rugby sevens international and captained the Ireland team at the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens. Molloy also played ladies' Gaelic football for and featured in the 2005 All-Ireland Senior Ladies' Football Championship final.

Family

Molloy was raised in a sporting family. Claire's father, Evan Molloy, is a prominent member of the Colaiste Iognáid (Jez) Rowing Club. Three of her siblings have also represented Ireland at international level in different sports. Her younger brother, Tim Molloy, is a former Republic of Ireland under-19 association football international and also played for University College Dublin A.F.C. Her sister, Emily Molloy, played as a goalkeeper for the Ireland women's national field hockey team at underage level and her older brother, Liam Molloy, rowed for Ireland up to under-23 level.[6]

Gaelic football

Molloy played Ladies' Gaelic football for and in 2005, aged 16, played in three finals for her county. On 30 April 2005 she played in the Ladies' National Football League final which Cork won 2–13 to 0–6.[7] [8] On 25 July 2005 she played in the All-Ireland Under-18 Ladies' Football Championship (minor) final against Donegal which Galway won 5–7 to 1–8.[9] On 2 October 2005 she played in the 2005 All-Ireland Senior Ladies' Football Championship final which Cork won 1–11 to 0–8 [10] Other members of these Galway teams included Niamh Fahey and Annette Clarke.[11] [12] [13] [14] Molloy played for Galway up to 2011.[15]

Rugby union

Clubs

Molloy switched codes from Ladies' Gaelic football to women's rugby union while attending Cardiff University where she studied medicine. She initially played for Cardiff Quins, making her debut in the WWRU National Cup final which Quins won.[16] She was also a Cardiff Quins player when she made her debut for the Ireland women's national rugby union team.[17] [18] Molloy subsequently joined Bristol Ladies and on summer trips home from university she also played for Galwegians.[19] [20] Together with Sarah Hunter and Carys Phillips, Molloy was one of three Bristol Ladies players to captain their countries at the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup. Hunter and Phillips captained England and Wales respectively. Molloy moved to Wasps in 2018,[21] before returning to Bristol in 2022[22]

Provincial level

Molloy has represented Connacht in the IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series.[23] [24] [25] She has also played for the Irish Exiles.[26] [27]

Ireland international

On 6 February 2009, Molloy made her debut for the Ireland women's national rugby union team when she came on as replacement in a 7–5 win against France. This was the first time the Ireland Women had beaten France.[28] [29] [30] Molloy went onto represent Ireland at the 2010, 2014 and 2017 Women's Rugby World Cups. At the 2014 tournament she was a member of the Ireland team that defeated New Zealand. She captained the Ireland team at the 2017 tournament, replacing an injured Niamh Briggs. Molloy was also a member of the Ireland teams that won the 2013 and 2015 Women's Six Nations Championships.[31] [32] [33]

Molloy is also an Ireland women's rugby sevens international and captained the Ireland Sevens team at the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens.[34] [35] [36] [37] She also represented the Ireland Sevens at the 2013 European Women's Sevens Grand Prix Series[38] and the 2015 Rugby Europe Women's Sevens Championships.[39]

Molloy took a break from international rugby at the start of the 2020 season to concentrate on her medical career. She returned in September 2020 in time for the rescheduled 2020 Women's Six Nations Championship game against Italy.

In the 2021 Women's Six Nations Championship she started against Wales and France but did not make the match-day 23 for the play-off game against Italy.[40]

On 28 September 2021, Molloy announced her retirement from international rugby.[41]

Doctor

Molloy is qualified as a doctor. She studied medicine at Cardiff University, where her classmates included Jamie Roberts.[42] She has worked as an A&E doctor in Abergavenny and at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.[43] [44] [45]

Honours

Rugby union

Ireland
Ireland Sevens
Cardiff Quins
Individual

Gaelic football

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Claire Molloy. www.bristolrugby.co.uk. 25 February 2018.
  2. Web site: In Pics: Claire Molloy - Ireland's WRWC 2017 Captain. www.irishrugby.ie. 26 February 2018. 2 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180804170100/http://www.irishrugby.ie/ireland/40268.php#.WpRkmqhl_IU. 4 August 2018. dead.
  3. Web site: Coláiste Iognáid S.J. Sept, 2017. colaisteiognaid.ie. 28 February 2018. 1 September 2017.
  4. Web site: Four Connacht Players in Ireland Women’s Squad to Face England. www.connachtrugby.ie. 26 February 2018. 12 November 2015.
  5. Web site: Twist of fate led Claire Molloy to a rugby career with Ireland. www.irishtimes.com. 25 February 2018. 1 February 2017.
  6. Web site: Claire Molloy and her Irish International sporting siblings. galwaybayfm.ie. 25 February 2018. 9 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180228041759/https://galwaybayfm.ie/claire-molloy-irish-international-sporting-siblings/. 28 February 2018. dead.
  7. Web site: Cork v Galway Ladies League Final Photos. www.sportsfile.com. 26 February 2018. 30 April 2005.
  8. Web site: Strong Galway can retain title. www.irishtimes.com. 25 February 2018. 1 October 2005.
  9. Web site: Galway Claim Minor Honours. ladiesgaelic.ie. 26 February 2018. 25 July 2005.
  10. Web site: Galway v Cork - Ladies Senior Final Photos. www.sportsfile.com. 26 February 2018. 2 October 2005.
  11. Web site: Twist of fate led Claire Molloy to a rugby career with Ireland. www.irishtimes.com. 25 February 2018. 1 February 2017.
  12. Web site: Strong Galway can retain title. www.irishtimes.com. 25 February 2018. 1 October 2005.
  13. Web site: Claire Molloy: The woman who gave up her All-Ireland dreams to chase a Grand Slam. www.the42.ie. 25 February 2018. 1 March 2014.
  14. Web site: These 10 top Irish female athletes have experienced the wrath of Cork. www.the42.ie. 25 February 2018. 24 September 2015.
  15. Web site: Dubs - Time To Rewrite The History Books!. dublinladiesgaelic.ie. 25 February 2018. 3 August 2011.
  16. Web site: Twist of fate led Claire Molloy to a rugby career with Ireland. www.irishtimes.com. 25 February 2018. 1 February 2017.
  17. Web site: Clare Molloy makes Irish squad. www.connachtrugby.ie. 26 February 2018. 5 February 2009.
  18. Web site: Women Secure First Ever Victory Over France. www.irishrugby.ie. 27 December 2017. 6 February 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20171229114354/https://irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/5260.php. 29 December 2017. dead.
  19. Web site: Claire Molloy: The woman who gave up her All-Ireland dreams to chase a Grand Slam. www.the42.ie. 25 February 2018. 1 March 2014.
  20. Web site: Molloy confirmed as Ireland captain for Women’s Rugby World Cup. www.connachtrugby.ie. 26 February 2018. 2 August 2017.
  21. Web site: Bristol Ladies Trio To Lead World Cup Efforts As Captains. www.bristolrugby.co.uk. 25 February 2018. 3 August 2017.
  22. Web site: Ireland International Claire Molloy returns to Bears. 2022-09-15. Bristol Bears Rugby. en.
  23. Web site: Four Connacht Players in Ireland Women’s Squad to Face England. www.connachtrugby.ie. 26 February 2018. 12 November 2015.
  24. Web site: Claire Molloy: The woman who gave up her All-Ireland dreams to chase a Grand Slam. www.the42.ie. 25 February 2018. 1 March 2014.
  25. Web site: Two Connacht players in Ireland Women's 7s Squad. www.connachtrugby.ie. 25 February 2018.
  26. Web site: Ireland announce strong squad. www.wru.co.uk. 26 February 2018. 30 January 2013.
  27. Web site: Correction: Ireland Women's Team to Play England. www.sixnationsrugby.com. 26 February 2018. 8 February 2013.
  28. Web site: In Pics: Claire Molloy - Ireland's WRWC 2017 Captain. www.irishrugby.ie. 26 February 2018. 2 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180804170100/http://www.irishrugby.ie/ireland/40268.php#.WpRkmqhl_IU. 4 August 2018. dead.
  29. Web site: Clare Molloy makes Irish squad. www.connachtrugby.ie. 26 February 2018. 5 February 2009.
  30. Web site: Women Secure First Ever Victory Over France. www.irishrugby.ie. 27 December 2017. 6 February 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20171229114354/https://irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/5260.php. 29 December 2017. dead.
  31. Web site: Ireland's Claire Molloy on life as a doctor and the time she played with the Connacht men's team. www.the42.ie. 25 February 2018. 27 November 2016.
  32. Web site: Women's Rugby World Cup: Claire Molloy named as Ireland captain. www.bbc.co.uk. 25 February 2018. 2 August 2017.
  33. Web site: Claire Molloy Confirmed As Ireland Women's World Cup Captain. www.irishrugby.ie. 25 February 2018. 2 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180228173127/http://www.irishrugby.ie/wrwc/40263.php#.WpLdq6hl_IU. 28 February 2018. dead.
  34. Web site: In Pics: Claire Molloy - Ireland's WRWC 2017 Captain. www.irishrugby.ie. 26 February 2018. 2 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180804170100/http://www.irishrugby.ie/ireland/40268.php#.WpRkmqhl_IU. 4 August 2018. dead.
  35. Web site: Women's Rugby World Cup: Claire Molloy named as Ireland captain. www.bbc.co.uk. 25 February 2018. 2 August 2017.
  36. Web site: Claire Molloy Confirmed As Ireland Women's World Cup Captain. www.irishrugby.ie. 25 February 2018. 2 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180228173127/http://www.irishrugby.ie/wrwc/40263.php#.WpLdq6hl_IU. 28 February 2018. dead.
  37. Web site: Ireland Women's Rugby Sevens. olympics.ie. 28 March 2018. 5 September 2012.
  38. Web site: Plate Success For Ireland Women In Brive. www.irishrugby.ie. 2 August 2018. 3 June 2013.
  39. Web site: Two Connacht players in Ireland Women's 7s Squad. www.connachtrugby.ie. 25 February 2018.
  40. Web site: Farrell. Sinead. 'She's got things she can still work on' - Griggs on omission of former Ireland captain for Italy clash. 2021-04-23. The42. en.
  41. Web site: Molloy Calls Time On Illustrious Career. 28 September 2021. Irishrugby.ie. 28 September 2021.
  42. Web site: Twist of fate led Claire Molloy to a rugby career with Ireland. www.irishtimes.com. 25 February 2018. 1 February 2017.
  43. Web site: Ireland's Claire Molloy on life as a doctor and the time she played with the Connacht men's team. www.the42.ie. 25 February 2018. 27 November 2016.
  44. Web site: Resolution-free zone - Irish rugby star Claire Molloy. www.irishexaminer.com. 25 February 2018. 5 January 2018.
  45. Web site: Farrell. Sinead. 'One of the hardest things is loneliness for patients. We're used to seeing a relative hold their hand'. 2021-04-09. The42. en.

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