Kate Flannery aiming to stake claim for Ireland debut
Kate Flannery in action for UL Bohs. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Munster's Kate Flannery has pinpointed this month’s renewal of the Celtic Challenge as an ideal opportunity to press her claims for a full Ireland debut in the coming 12 months.
The UL Bohemians and Ireland Under-20 playmaker, who helped steer her club to the Women’s AIL title at Aviva Stadium last season, is eager to accelerate her development at the highest level and join Scott Bemand’s in-form squad as they look to build on their stellar 2024 at both this season’s Six Nations and next autumn’s 2025 World Cup in England.
Flannery ticked the first box on her checklist on Wednesday as she was named in the Clovers squad for an expanded Celtic Challenge league campaign in 2024-25.
Speaking as an ambassador for Pinergy as they announced a new four-year sponsorship contract complimenting their 10-year solar partnership with Munster, the fly-half said the competition against Scottish and Welsh competition was an excellent opportunity to showcase a player’s talents.
“Yeah, definitely looking to push and impress. Getting a taste for the Under-20s and competing in that just makes you want more and take the next step,” Flannery said.
“So there’s opportunities coming up like the Celtic Challenge will be starting again soon so that’s a good opportunity for me to try and put my best foot forward.
“Even just to be in a training squad prior to the Six Nations or the World Cup, any injury gives you the opportunity to get seen and you have to take those opportunities.
“So definitely the World Cup will be a goal. I guess as soon as possible it would be a goal for me to get up to the Ireland squad because it’s getting more competitive and there’s big opportunities. I’d like to get capped as soon as possible.”
Alana McInerney (UL Bohemian), Aoibhe O’Flynn (UL Bohemian), Aoife Corey (UL Bohemian), Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian), Brianna Heylmann (UL Bohemian) Caitriona Finn (UL Bohemian), Chisom Ugwueru (UL Bohemian), Deirbhile Nic A Bhaird (Old Belvedere), Eabha Nic Dhonnacha (UL Bohemian), Ella Burns (Tuam Oughterard), Emily Gavin (Railway Union), Enya Breen (Blackrock College), Faith Oviawe (Railway Union), Grace Brown Moran (Galwegians), Grainne Burke (UL Bohemian), Grainne Moran (Galwegians), Jane Clohessy (UL Bohemian), Jane Neill (Old Belvedere), Kate Flannery (UL Bohemian), Lucia Linn (UL Bohemian), Meabh Deely (Blackrock College), Muirne Wall (UL Bohemian), Nicole Fowley (Galwegians), Ruth Campbell (Old Belvedere), Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke), Saoirse Crowe (Shannon), Shirley Bailey (Ballincollig), Siobhan McCarthy (Railway Union), Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen).
Alma Atagamen (Balbriggan), Anna Doyle (Blackrock College), Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere), Aoife Wafer (Blackrock College), Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere), Caoimhe Molloy (Wicklow), Cara Martin (Blackrock College), Christy Haney (Blackrock College), Ciara Short (Wicklow), Claire Boles (Railway Union), Cliondhna Ni Choncobhair (Blackrock College), Dannah O’Brien (Old Belvedere), Ella Roberts (Wicklow), Ellie O’Sullivan Sexton (Old Belvedere), Erin McConnell (Wicklow), Fiona Tuite (Old Belvedere), Jade Gaffney (Old Belvedere), Katie Heffernan (Railway Union), Katie Whelan (Old Belvedere), Leah Tarpey (Railway Union), Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere), Maebh Clenaghan (Queen’s University), Molly Boyne (Railway Union), Niamh O’Dowd (Old Belvedere), Poppy Garvey (Railway Union), Sarah Delaney (Blackrock College), Tricia Boyle (Railway Union).
