WRWC Countdown: Getting To Know Gillian Bourke

This day week Ireland Women will kick off their Rugby World Cup campaign when they take on the host nation, England, at 6.30pm. Capped sixteen times for Ireland we hear from Munster prop Gillian Bourke as she talks about her rise to representative rugby.

"I started playing when I went to UL in 2003. I had always been a Munster fan and really wanted to go out to the Shannon women's team when I was in 6th year but unfortunately the Leaving Cert took priority.

From the first training session I was hooked, and distinctly remember Fi Coughlan (Irish Women's captain) scaring the life out of me and Caro Mahon (fellow Irish player) being exactly the opposite.

Sarah Jane Belton and DJ Collins were my first coaches with UL so I was very lucky to have access to such a high level of coaching and experience from the start.

When I joined UL Bohemians later that year I had two more excellent coaches with Ian Costello and Packie Durkan. Packie still maintains he made me the prop I am today and was my advocate from the start, and to be honest I cannot argue with that!

I've been very lucky to have excellent teammates and coaches with all the teams I have been a part of, each of which have contributed to making me a better rugby player.

I am proud to be representing them, Munster and Ireland at this year's Women's Rugby World Cup."

Getting to know Gillian Bourke

Name: Gillian Bourke

Favourite Food: Pasta Bake

Book you are currently reading or have just finished: The Last Templar but it's taking a while to finish

Favourite TV programme: Greys Anatomy

Favourite Film: Finding Nemo

Favourite Actor/Actress: Sandra Bullock and Robert Downey Jr.

Most enjoyable holiday location: New Zealand

Marooned on a desert island what could you not be without: Ice-cream and my iPod

Favourite sport other than rugby: Show-jumping and Surfing

The sport you least like: Soccer, they are just too soft!!

Person you would most like to meet: Nelson Mandela

Sportsperson you admire most: Lance Armstrong

Hobbies: Music, movies, surfing and hanging out with my friends

Where and when did you first play rugby: Started playing in 2003 in my first year in college with the University of Limerick

Biggest influence on career: Ian Costello and Fiona Steed

Best career advice you were given: A prop can have a great game without ever touching the ball…. Though it did take me a few years to realise the worth of that wisdom

What you like most/least about being a rugby player: I love the friends I’ve made. I don’t like all the bangs and bruises.

Other sports that you played: When I was growing up, horses took up most of my time, mainly show-jumping with some cross-country as well

Best rugby memory: Getting my first starting cap for Ireland in 2009 and beating France the same night (7-5) for the first time. It was a great night.

Rugby Player you admire most: John Hayes and Jerry Flannery

Rugby team you admire most: Munster

Sporting event you would most like to attend: 2007 Wimbledon Final – Federer beating Nadal

If you weren’t a rugby player what would you be: A Gymnast…..though my dreams have recently been crushed by my fellow teammates

Three people you would invite to dinner and why: Stephen Fry because he is so intelligent, Robin Williams because he’s so funny and Jason Mraz so he can play us some tunes