Getting To Know: Ciara Griffin
1st August 2017 By The Editor
Ciara Griffin firing on all cylinders against Wales - INPHO/Ian Cook
As the buzz ramps up for the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup as does our player profiles, as we bring you a different Munster representative every day this week in the buildup to next week’s start.
Yesterday we brought you the story behind Leah Lyons’ rugby-obsessed upbringing, and today it’s the turn of her Six Nations pack partner Ciara Griffin, who also had a similar upbringing, picking up the oval ball first aged five with her sister, Fiona.
Like Leah, Ciara’s father Dennis was also involved in rugby at a local level, and was a big influence on the sporting landscape of the pair down in Ballymacelligot – also the homeplace of former Irish player Helen Brosnan – where Griffin finds her stress relief on her Uncle’s farm.
The youngster showed her rugby prowess at an early age with Castleisland however, then moving onto leading county side Tralee before ultimately progressing to UL Bohemians, where she helped win an All-Ireland League and Cup double the season gone.
The flanker, nicknamed ‘Junior’ in Irish ranks has been capped 11 times; her debut coming in the 2016 Six Nations against Wales, having progressed through Munster underage and senior sides.
Flanker Griffin, like Lyons, played in all of Ireland’s Six Nations games earlier this year, perfect preparation for what’s sure to be an intense three weeks in Dublin and Belfast.
Name: Ciara Griffin
Date of Birth: 10th January 1994
Club: UL Bohemians
Munster Caps: 14
Ireland Caps: 12
Profession: Primary teacher
Favourite Food: Meatballs
Favourite TV programme: Orphan Black
Favourite Film: Shawshank Redemption
Favourite Actor/Actress: Orlando Bloom
Most enjoyable holiday location: Alicante
Marooned on a desert island what could you not be without: Fishing rod and flint
Favourite sport other than rugby: Football
The sport you least like: Golf
Person you would most like to meet: Richie McCaw
Sportsperson you admire most: Serena Williams
Hobbies: Farming and going to matches
Where and when did you first play rugby: At the age of 5 with my sister in the front lawn.
Best career advice you were given: Don’t be afraid to ask a question
Best advice you would give yourself: Keep pushing yourself more each session
What you like most about being a rugby player: The friends you make
What you’re looking forward to most about a home World Cup: Playing in front of a home crowd and having friends and family nearby.
Other sports that you played: Football, handball and soccer.
Best rugby memory: Scoring my first international try.
Rugby team you admire most: The All Blacks
Sporting event you would most like to attend: Wimbledon
How would you like to pass away the time on tour in between training: Learning the guitar.
Three people you would invite to dinner and why: Serena Williams, Johnny Depp and Fergie. There would be a good bit of craic.
