Made my 🎙debut last night in the Wicklow vs Old Belvo AIL opener. If I’m brutally honest, I wasn’t happy with my performance, but it was my first time doing it. Some technical issues out of my control Plenty to work on, good to get the experience . Rome wasn’t built in a day🏉
To be fair to them Fine Gael, Harris and Varadkar have really stepped up to the plate over the last few days. Trying to lead the country the best they can during this tough crisis. Minster Harris very clear and informative on
#ClaireByrneLive
Came home from the pub after a few pints last night.
The nanny goes ‘look at ya, you can barely walk’
My response ‘well if ya didn’t realise nanny that is the standout trait of my disability’. She was in hysterics laughing because she knew I wasn’t wrong. Some laugh😂😂
A special moment for me today, commentating on my first Leinster Schools Senior Cup game alongside
@sullyirishtimes
.
Wesley College 28-33 St Mary’s College
Thanks to
@Videosonthenet
for the opportunity🏉
Ella Roberts is one of the breakthrough ⭐️’s in
@IrishRugby
for 2021. She could make her 🇮🇪 debut today vs 🇯🇵. She’s a credit to her family and everyone in
@WicklowRFC
. I was lucky to speak with her ahead of the game. My 1st
@IndoSport
article. Buy the 📰 to read in full.
12 years ago I had my operation. The hardest/most painful thing I've ever done. Before this my way of getting around was crawling or using a walker. I worked extremely hard to get to the way I am today, despite some people saying I should just use a wheelchair. Never give up!
I’ve always been quite private about my disability and the physical and mental challenges that come with it.
I enjoyed presenting online to an
@EnableService
group today.
I spoke about my life, my challenges, technology and the importance to Maximise Your Ability in life.
The 🇮🇪 Club XV head to Lisbon this week to face 🇵🇹 ‘A’
I spoke with Team Manager Mark Hamilton ahead of Friday’s game
We chatted on,
-The pride in being involved
-The role of a TM
-Finding a new path in 🏉 after injury
-His love for
@terenurerugby
Another AIL season done and dusted. A great year of coverage.
✍🏻Over 50 articles done across the AIL this campaign.
🎙️ 9 AIL games
Thanks to all the great rugby people I’ve spoken to this season, and thanks yo
@OldBelvedereRFC
for giving me opportunities on the mic.
🏉🤝
🏉has always been the one thing that keeps me going. 2023, in terms of 🏉 has been my best yet
✍🏻- Covering the AIL/🇮🇪U20s and more.
🎙️- AIL and Schools Games
👀- 🇮🇪 win a GS and play 🇿🇦 &🇳🇿 at the RWC
Thanks to all who have helped along the way
All the best for 2024
Today, I finish my internship with South East Radio. I’ve spent the last 5 months with the Morning Mix Team as a Broadcast Assistant. It’s been great learning from the legendary Alan Corcoran. Onwards and Upwards🎙
@eanna_jpg
It’s not like we won 17 games in a row or anything….Ireland losing at the WC wasn’t that deep, in the sense that, they didn’t do something terribly wrong. They got beaten by the better team on the day. We might have got different results in both QFs a week later, it’s sport.
Crazy to think this was 3 years ago. Looking back it is definitely up there as one of the toughest things I’ve ever done. Pushed to the limit physically and mentally, but I wouldn’t change it for the world💪🏻
Enjoyed being in
@WicklowRFC
tonight to witness an historic 1st win for their Senior Women in the AIL vs Malone. It’s been a tough few weeks for them but they showed great character to hold out for the victory. The scoreline finished 12-7. Report to follow with
@IrishRugby
The AIL men’s season begins in just over 2 weeks time. A few weeks ago, I spoke with
@emmet28
the new Director of Rugby at
@UCDRugby
. He’s one of the best young coaches within Irish Rugby, achieving success at both club and school level.
This week I got to chat with new
@StMarysRFC
man Conor Hayes.
We spoke about his move to Dublin, settling into a new club. His love for
@YoungMunsterRFC
, and his hopes for the rest of the campaign.
@theclubscenepod
Enjoyed joining
@rugbybroadcastr
in 🎙 for
@LansdowneFC
vs
@YoungMunsterRFC
today in what was a top quality game. Had to pinch myself, always been my dream to commentate on a rugby game in the Aviva, albeit done from the clubhouse. Being still so young, it all feels surreal🏉
This is an AIL piece I’ve wanted to do for a long time
@dylan_donnellan
has been one of the most consistent performers in the league. I spoke to the
@ClontarfRugby
hooker about his Leinster debut, his love for the Bull Ring, and his try-scoring record.
The 2024 Bateman cup final is tomorrow!
@terenurerugby
are looking to retain their title to kick 2024 off in style.
I spoke to
@seanskehan88
yesterday about their hunger to keep winning, the departing MLR players, and their innovative social media.
Some of my earliest rugby memories happened in Donnybrook, watching my dad play for
@BectiveRangers
in the AIL.
From there, I fell in love with the sport and decided I wanted to pursue a career in rugby.
Last week, almost 20 years later, I did 2 🎙where that dream began❤️🏉
I look forward to covering some
@EnergiaEnergy
tonight for
@IrishRugby
. It’s a historic night for
@WicklowRFC
Women’s Rugby as they make their long awaited debut to the top flight, facing a strong
@OldBelvoWomen
team. Great to have AIL rugby back for the first time in 80 weeks🏉
Covering the AIL this year for
@IrishRugby
has been a pleasure. I’m buzzing for the final, it’s definitely between the two best teams in the league in
@ClontarfRugby
and
@terenurerugby
. My first of hopefully many times in the Aviva press box 🏉
This is a remarkable run of form. The AIL is such a competitive league across all of the 5 divisions, so 25 BP wins on the trot since achieving senior status is unheard of.
Quality
@InstoniansRugby
👏
Paris bound in the morning. My first World Cup game and it doesn’t get much better.
World Number 1 v World Champions. Two inform teams, arguably the biggest group stage game in WC history. Exciting weekend ahead🇮🇪🏉
Munster club rugby reigns supreme once again. UL Bohs and Cork Con both taking home the silverware.
Cracking day in the Aviva Stadium covering the finals.
Wishing everybody a Happy New Year and all the best for 2023
Personally it’s been a difficult year, but I’ve really enjoyed the last couple of months in particular the 🎙
AIL, Schools and SN all back soon. Look forward to hopefully a busy and exciting year ahead🏉🎙
Really enjoyed doing the AIL semi final between
@OldBelvedereRFC
17-19
@HighfieldRFC
.
Personally, I’ve really enjoyed my season, learnt so much in my 13 AIL games, improving while following my passion.
A great conversation with the legendary Ollie Campbell to finish🎙🏉
Rugby has provided
@ShaneOLeary_10
with an adventurous career that has brought him all over the world.
He hopes to win a Bateman Cup with
@YoungMunsterRFC
tomorrow.
We talked about the AIL, the MRL, his journey, and his hopes to represent 🇨🇦 again.
Have to re-apply for my disability card for parking every two years and it’s costs €35, bit of a money racket. It’s not like in 2 years I won’t need it anymore haha. ‘Ah Ye pal been a mad two years starting running and I playing Senior, I’m no longer disabled, thanks anyway man’
What a way to start the weekend. Great victory for
@DUFCRUGBY
over
@LansdowneFC
25-27. Aran Egan showed nerves of steel to win it with the last kick of the game. A pleasure as always to join
@rugbybroadcastr
in 🎙. One of the best in the business. I love the AIL🏉.
My 12th AIL men’s game of the season and one of the best yet, a try fest!!
@ClontarfRugby
50
@UCDRugby
29
Had great fun in 🎙 with
@adodarcy
, an AIL Legend🤝
I love the AIL🏉🔥
Congrats to everyone involved with
@StMarysRFC
on winning the AIL 1B title today with 4 games to spare, securing promotion back to 1A.
I’ve always believed 1B is the most competitive of the 5 divisions, making this a very impressive achievement.
Class👏
I was delighted to deliver my ‘Maximise your Ability’ talk to a small group in the Online Advotech Course ran by
@EnableIreland
. It was great to get the opportunity to do my first talk. Great experience, hopefully more to come!
🎙Some Personal News🎙
Delighted to be starting in
@SouthEastRadio
next week as part of the Learning Waves Graduate Program for 5 months. I will a multimedia journalist covering a mixture of News, Current Affairs and Sport. Really looking forward to this new challenge.
Decided to stay off Twitter after the game on Saturday, beyond gutted with the result, it’ll hurt for some time. The small margins made the difference.
On a personal note, it was great to get to my first World Cup, very lucky to witness 3 fantastic games. Class memories to have
It was great to chat with a European Cup Winner in Ian Whitten.
He spoke about how much he is enjoying playing rugby at his boyhood club,
@InstoniansRugby
.
Delighted to say I finally managed to get the money released from my fundraiser,It took a while to get it, but I’m really excited to get this money to the worthy charities ASAP. Thanks again for all the support. Top bunch👊🏻❤️.
@enableireland
It’s always nice to be ✍🏻on your old school, especially on days like today.
@JoeDuffy36
is one of the best rugby mentors you could ever have. He worked his magic again to lead
@ccmwicklow
to their first McMullen Cup title.
Report⬇️
@WicklowRFC
Croker bound today. It’s still my favourite stadium. The walk to it gets me excited every time.
You can’t beat a big championship Sunday, but today should be a special occasion.
(Not Rugby related but still one of my favourite pics.
When I started commentating in
@OldBelvedereRFC
over two years ago, I quickly became a fan of the legendary
@ConnorOwende
.
He’s given so much to that black and white jersey over the last 13 years.
It’s always been a goal of his to get them back to 1A
⬇️
It feels like a lifetime ago when I did my challenge back at the start of the 1st lockdown. Looking back it was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done, but It was worth it. Nice touch to be mentioned in the St Vincents foundation newsletter for 2020/21.
I’m all for banter to be fair, but this is so poor, hungry for clickbait.
My favourite Leinster game I’ve ever gone to was the Heineken Cup semi-final in 09 in Croker, cracking atmosphere.
Same goss for 🇮🇪 v 🏴 in 07. It’s a cracking stadium fit for any sporting occasion.
I wish I was this confident whenever I'm this wrong.
It's spectacular the lack of due diligence here.
A bit of cop on goes a long way to avoid looking like an absolute cabbage
None of the World Cup games particularly excite me this weekend, but I’ll tell you a game that does.
Leinster League 1A,
@WicklowRFC
hosting an unbeaten
@TullowRFC
in Ashtown Lane, both promoted from 1B last season.
A Saturday South-East derby. I love it🏉
21 has been another tough year for so many. It wasn’t always easy to stay motivated. Through some hard work and great opportunities I got to do some cool things this year, putting me closer to where I want to be. Set the new goals, follow the dreams. All the best for 2022👊🏻
CAO Day is a good one, got offered religion and English teaching. Imagine me as a teacher, I’d give a young lad a detention, next thing he’d rob my crutches, ‘Who laughing now Mr Noble ya pr**k’. Students and parents alike will be happy I didn’t accept that offer😂😂
All this Gary Dempsey stuff. I get we are all frustrated and tired with lockdown. It’s tough going. But when ya keep bringing up that you haven’t got any mainstream media attention. Why would you??The alterer motive is pretty obvious. Few minutes in the spotlight. Some dose🤣🤣
Really looking forward to all the AIL finals this weekend. There is some real crackers to be played. I’ll be heading to the Aviva tomorrow for the big one, but today I’ll be supporting
@GreystonesRFC
in Dr Hickey Park. Best of luck to everyone involved🏉
Being a full time crutch user, I was starting to think I was slowing down physically.
But a couple weekends in Paris, metros with no lifts in sight. Steps upon more steps, showed me there is life in me yet.
Fuelled by Asahi.
Just watched the
@RathVivian
interview.
He’s a breath of fresh air. Can resonate with a lot of what was said. In particular.
“I’ve done this before, so I’ve gotten up off the ground before, I’ve brushed off the knees and pushed on”
Inspiring. Never give up the fight💪🏻
This is absolutely class.
@ClontarfRugby
@dylan_donnellan
is set to make his Leinster debut off the bench tomorrow. Very few players deserve this reward more than him. The most consistent performer in the AIL over the past few seasons, a try scoring machine. AIL legend🏉🐂
I’ve got the opportunity to do some really cool interviews for
@IrishRugby
this week. Clontarf have been in outstanding form this season, they want to finish with the🏆. I spoke to Tony Ryan from
@ClontarfRugby
and
@ScorthyRugby
ahead of the big day.
I didn’t get to an AIL game this weekend but I definitely got my fix at the Towns Cup Quarter Final today.
Proper Cup Rugby. It had everything that you’d want. Wicklow coming out the right side of a 31-29 thriller.
No better way to spend my Sunday.
I LOVE CLUB RUGBY🏉✍🏻🔥
Much needed win for
@OldBelvedereRFC
. It was a challenge for me moving into the lead 🎙 role. I was really happy with how it went, plenty to improve on, but making steps in the right direction. Progression is 🔑. It’s been a joy to get to an AIL game every week this season🏉
When I started my🎙️ journey 2 seasons ago this man helped me so much. His advice taught me what is necessary to do the job well. Great to be alongside you yd bro.
Almost 30 matches as lead 🎙️ under my belt now. Made great progress, always looking to improve, forever grateful🏉🙏🏻
Erin McConnell is flying the
@WicklowRFC
flag high in the Celtic Challenge competition.
She spoke about:
The influence of her mum, her biggest supporter.
How much she’s enjoying being in a representative side.
Her love for her club.
Read ⬇️
Delighted to have been able to put together a feature piece in this week’s Wicklow People about the Pres Bray representation in the Ireland U-20s squad for the upcoming Six Nations
campaign🏉
It’s a big week for
@WicklowRFC
as they prepare for the Towns Cup semi-final against Ashbourne on Sunday. They’re looking to reach the final for the first time since 2019.
I always enjoy catching up with their head coach
@vanzyl_dan
.
His thoughts⬇️
As this AIL season has gone on, there has been more and more streams available each week.
It’s great to be able to watch games back, but it also makes my preparation and research a lot easier.
Giving the AIL the coverage it deserves. You love to see it💪🏻
Delighted to be covering two Interpro games between
@connachtrugby
and
@UlsterRugby
in Donnybrook today. The U18 Clubs and U19 game. My first bit of reporting for
@IrishRugby
. Looking forward to the action!
The rough weather outside won’t ruin my pre match buzz.
@DUFCRUGBY
are in flying form. They’ll be hoping to maintain their 100% winning start to the campaign.
@HinchRFC
currently sit 4th, winning 2 out of their 3 games.
My first 1A game as lead🎙
Let’s go🏉
I’ve met some great people through rugby but I’d always say Ollie Campbell is the best. He’s so giving of his time, always willing to listen and tell you a great story
Today all in
@OldBelvedereRFC
celebrated his 70th birthday. Paddy Dowling put the icing on his cake.
Yesterday was everything an Irish fan could have hoped for and more.
Unbelievable scenes, a day to live long in the memory.
Congrats to all involved in
@IrishRugby
🏉💚
I’ve been lucky enough to interview some great people in the last few years, but few stories have touched me more than Amelia’s. She’s a truly remarkable individual, with an inspiring story. A great addition to the
@RockWomensRugby
family.
"Chemo is such a mental journey. I gave it my best shot. I said to myself, I’m going to come out of this. I would have chemo on a Tuesday and rugby training on the Wednesday"
Thank you to Amelia McFarland of
@RockWomensRugby
for sharing her story.
More:
Full time in Cill Dara. Wicklow win!! 37-20 over
@BoyneRFC
Massive win for the club sends us back into Division 1A!!! Congratulations to Dan and the coaching team and all the players in both squads. Fantasic! 🔴⚪️⚫️
It was brilliant to be in Donnybrook on Sunday to cover
@GreystonesRFC
U-20s winning the Purcell Cup for the first time.
An honourable mention goes to Pearse Cahil, who was awarded a well-deserved medal for his long-serving support of the team🟢⚪️
Looking forward to covering
@LansdowneFC
vs
@YoungMunsterRFC
for
@IrishRugby
on Saturday. Both sides are undefeated in the league so far. My first one in the Aviva, hopefully the first of many. Should be a cracker, Can’t wait!
It was a real physical battle this evening between
@OldBelvoWomen
and
@RockWomensRugby
.
A strong finish got Rock the victory, maintaining their 100% winning record for the league season.
It was class to have two irish internationals with me in 🎙
@KathrynDane2
@OgMaeve
I’ve really enjoying writing for
@IrishRugby
this season. So far, I’ve covered 8 AIL matches along with 2 underage inter pros. Read my latest report.
Alongside my ✍️, I’ve been alongside
@rugbybroadcastr
in 🎙 for 6 games. Working towards the dream.