Irish hooker Cliodhna Moloney has said she has had to “park” the thoughts of a return to the international scene for her “own sanity”, as the Ireland team, under head coach Scott Bemand, prepare for the 2024 Six Nations campaign in her absence.
Moloney hasn’t been called up to the Ireland squad since 2021, after she labelled certain comments from the IRFU's then director of women’s rugby, Anthony Eddy, as “slurry spreading” on social media.
Speaking with the BBC, the Galway native explained that at the start of her exclusion she experienced “a lot of disappointment” but that she was “acutely aware” there could be consequences for her actions.
Clíodhna Moloney, a woman who had her international career stolen from her for daring to speak up against the misogyny and apathy of the IRFU.
Her exclusion was used to silence others. The message? Be grateful for what little you get, or you get nothing at all. https://t.co/S4UOJrXteJ— IrishWomensRugbySupportersClub (@IrishWomens) March 20, 2024
"There is no denying a lot of stuff happened two and a half, three years ago,” she says.
"And in the preceding four or five years ago that I was involved as well, there was a lot of issues with Irish rugby. I don't think anyone could deny that.
"But it's a long time to hold on to that feeling of 'Will I, won't I, be going back?'
"I was acutely aware of what the risks were, I'm a big girl and not going to cry about it.
"It's unfortunate that's the way things worked out but for your own sanity you have to park that a little bit and concentrate on playing rugby again."
All was not lost for Moloney however, as despite her international exile, she’s continued to excel in the club scene.
In fact, the now 30 year old secured a move from Wasps to Exeter Chiefs in the summer of 2022, and has been a prolific asset to them in the Premier 15s.
Earlier this week Bemand alluded to the fact that he wouldn’t rule out a possible recall for the 26 time capped woman, mentioning that there may “be a time” where that comes to fruition.
“I know Cli from being based in the UK. I’ve spoken to Cli informally just around wider stuff...but at the moment it sits where it sits,” he said.
A multitude of players have come out to announce they are standing #shouldertoshoulder with teammate Cliodhna Moloney.
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation” - @lilypeat11 .
Check out the piece and leave your thoughts below! https://t.co/k3fxpDHRRG— Her Sport (@HerSportDotIE) November 11, 2021
But does she ever have a wandering eye to deck out once again for the Girls in Green?
"You always believe you're the best person for the job, I think that is just the nature of being a high-performance athlete,” she says.
"I have probably let go of the focus of worrying will I get back in [with Ireland]. You can't be dragging that around for two or three years."
Cliodhna Moloney assesses the situation with rugby in Ireland
With that said, Cliodhna Moloney also opened up about how she feels that the game still needs to progress in a lot of areas if it’s to reach its full potential.
"The game doesn't have a good reputation in Ireland right now, and that's been the case for five or six years," she says, referencing the downfall of women’s rugby in Ireland and the reality which saw them finish bottom of last year’s Six Nations tournament.
"Women's rugby hasn't been painted in the best light, or portrayed as an up-and-coming sport with lots of funding and resources.
"There are other avenues for girls to play sport at a high level, if that is their aspiration.
"People like me who traditionally were Gaelic footballers who moved into rugby as a new challenge and something to excel at in a high-performance environment, those people might now be looking at the AFL and soccer. And you can't really blame them.”
To help along the process, she also believes there needs to be a more community centred approach to the game.
"I think because Ireland is such a rural, community place, if the club game isn't thriving you will not have that influx of players,” she says.
"I know rugby in a lot of places is an elitist private school thing, but it can't be like that in Ireland for women's rugby.
"It can't grow to where it is in England and France unless it becomes a community sport like GAA.
"That's going to take a lot of buy-in, to make it an accessible sport for young girls everywhere."
🏉 The Women’s Six Nations kicks off this weekend, and we can barely contain our excitement 🥳.
To build up to this year’s tournament we put @EnergiaEnergy ambassadors Linda Djougang and Brittany Hogan to the test with some W6N trivia!
🏉 What score did you get? Let us know ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/7mN9siWOFH— Her Sport (@HerSportDotIE) March 19, 2024
