Flannery taking advantage of big brother experience

Kate Flannery doesn’t have far to go when she’s in need of an extra rugby tip or two.

Big brother Jake, who won a Grand Slam with Ireland Under-20s in 2019, plies his trade with Ulster where he has made 15 appearances since moving from Munster in 2022.

An All-Ireland League winner with UL Bohs last April, out-half Flannery is set to play a major role as Ireland Women U20s begin their Six Nations Summer Series campaign.

The new tournament takes place in Parma from 4-14 July with Niamh Briggs’ Irish side taking on England, Italy and Scotland.

“[Jake’s] been so helpful,” said Tipperary woman Flannery.

“Even just doing the odd kicking session with me and even just seeing how resilient and motivated he’s been. That’s transferred to me and he’s taught me a lot on and off the pitch.

“It’s so handy [that we share the same position] when it comes to a review.

“I’ll send him a few clips and say, ‘what do you think of this, what can I improve here?’ and vice versa so it’s really nice to have that support.”

While many of the current Irish players took to rugby later or switched from other sports, Flannery is one of a young crop who grew up playing the sport, starting at the age of eight mixing it with the boys in Kilfeacle before joining Fethard RFC.

Talented in a number of codes, Flannery had a choice to make when she began to move up the age grades.

She said: “I played camogie up until under-16, I played with Tipperary for a few years and then I played minor football with Tipp.

“It was at that age, 16, 17, I came to the point it was hard to juggle both, having to commit the summer to either Munster underage of playing with Tipp.

“That was demanding as well with the training, so it was a decision [to be made] then.

“I had so many great experiences playing rugby and I just loved it, and it made me happy and I thought that might be the right decision.

“I feel like when you make a friend on a rugby pitch it’s like a different relationship to anyone.

“You go out and die for each other. I’ve so many good friends from the years in rugby.

“There’s just no better feeling than coming off the pitch knowing you’ve put in the work and you’ve earned that performance.”

Flannery is one of 22 players named in the squad that played in the U18 WXV tournament in Wales in April and May, while she also earned a call-up to the Ireland training squad for the Guinness Six Nations.

She also helped UL Bohs to a hard-fought victory over Railway Union in the AIL final and said playing at the Aviva Stadium and winning the title has boosted her confidence

“It was amazing, when I think about that day it brings a smile to my face,” the former Rockwell College student (above) said.

“Getting to play at the Aviva, first time ever, having the crowd there.

“It was a goal of ours at the start of the season, to win the AIL and going and doing it was amazing.

“It brings your confidence along when you see we had the ability to win that. When you come into camp you feel more comfortable in yourself, you are not afraid to express yourself.

“It’s definitely helped with my confidence.”

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