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Sam Monaghan eager for return to Ireland jersey

Sam Monaghan eager for return to Ireland jersey

Extra.ie​2 days ago
It's fair to say that it's been a tough 13 months for Sam Monaghan.
The Meath woman suffered an ACL injury while playing for her English club side Gloucester Hartpury. Nowadays ACL injuries are much more treatable that what they used to be, but it's still a lengthy recovery period which can take up to the best part of a year to be fully back.
However like busses, it's never just one that arrives and for Monaghan that meant that her rehabilitation was set back by further calf and hamstring injuries which has seen her miss the whole of the 2024/25 season at any level. Sam Monaghan and Linda Djougang before the Women's Six Nations match between Ireland and Italy. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
So exactly 13 months and nine days after suffering that ACL injury, Sam Monaghan is back in an Ireland jersey for their World Cup warm-up match against Scotland and the lock will captain the side in Cork to boost.
'It was really emotional seeing my name on the team sheet again.' Monaghan said about finally returning to action. 'Not only for me, but for my family, teammates, everyone that's been on the journey with me, physio's, S&Cs.' Sam Monaghan. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady
It's easy to get carried away with yourself after such a long time on the sideline but Monaghan is trying to temper emotions leading into Saturday.
'I'm taking it day by day. I won't be getting too ahead of myself, but my goal is to just get back out on the pitch and hopefully put in a performance I can be proud of on Saturday and get back into it again. It's been a long road and it's been tough, I'm really excited, trying not to get too excited until Saturday.'
After such a tumultuous year on the sidelines it'll be hard for the crowd to watch Monaghan on Saturday and not think about the injuries. But the Ireland captain is confident she won't carry that weight onto the pitch and will be fully present. Sam Monaghan of Ireland during the Women's Six Nations match between Ireland and Wales. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
'When you're between them four white lines, that's all you think about in that moment is what's going on in that game, the people around you, the crowd and the atmosphere.
'I'm really concentrating on just the performance. You kind of leave everything behind on the whitewash that's happened. I'm really looking forwards to it. I don't think I'll be thinking of what's happened in that last year at all.'
There's a sense of making up for lost time with Monaghan. She's missed an extremely successful and historic WXV campaign and a Six Nations campaign which showed that this Ireland side had taken further strides in their overall developments, even if the results didn't necessarily go their way. She's eager to hit the ground running and put in a good performances for all the people that put their faith in her during her recovery. Sam Monaghan is tackled by Varonica Madia of Italy. Pic: Roberto Bregani/Sportsfile.
'You build up a hunger. It's kind of like you've been starving for the last 13 months and you finally get your opportunity. So yeah, I'm sure I'll really savour every moment and just want to do the best I can for the squad around me. They've really looked after me the last year so I'll be extremely excited to get back out on the pitch with them. '
The lock also pointed out that Saturday isn't all about her. There's at three players lining up to make their Test debut, Béibhinn Parsons is also returning after suffering a two leg breaks in the past year and Monaghan's second row partner Eimear Corri-Fallon also makes a return to the squad following injury, something Monaghan is happy to share the return with. Eimear Corri Fallon. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady
'Me and Eimear have played together before in Dubai and Six Nations. So, we have that second row connection. Unfortunately, both of us had a bit of a rough year, so we're kind of on the same journey at the minute, it's nice to come back out on the pitch together.'
A lot of players have come into this camp to cover for the injury losses but Monaghan is confident in the squad and while ultimately the match against Scotland is a glorified friendly ahead of the World Cup, the Ireland captain still wants to put on a show for the fans.
'I've no doubt everyone that has the opportunity to wear that jersey on Saturday able to give it their all and we'll put in a good performance.' Beibhinn Parsons. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
It could be the last chance for many to put up their hand for a spot in Scott Bemand's World Cup squad with only this Saturday and next week against Canada the only games left before the squad announcement on August 11 before they go out for their opener against Japan less than two weeks' later on August 24.
For Monaghan though just getting back out there is a huge achievement, especially after such rotten spell of luck. Hopefully she can show why she's been Ireland captain and show what Ireland have missed over the past year.
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