It has, to say the least, been an eventful start to the Six Nations campaign for Ireland. The team opened with a comprehensive 30-5 win away to Italy before the lights went out on their efforts to beat France in Ashbourne.
But then came that victory over world champions England, only the second time Ireland have ever beaten them, and the spring was well and truly back in their step.
Once again Niamh Briggs was the match winner, her late penalty giving Ireland an 11-8 win. So when it came to choosing our Sportswoman of the Month, the captain was on our very long shortlist. (Scrumhalf Larissa Muldoon was another who caught the eye with her performance.)
However, in the end we opted for the tireless Sophie Spence. As Gavin Cummiskey of this parish put it: "She is the cornerstone of Ireland phase play now. It is the English-born lock's carrying that got Ireland over the gainline time and time again. It's her improved strength, leg drive and sheer guts that kept delivering."
Previous Ireland coach Philip Doyle first spotted Spence at an Exiles training camp in London a few years back, capping her as soon as possible (in 2012) so England wouldn’t snap her up. She’s a native of South Shields in the northeast of England, qualifying to play for Ireland through her Lisburn-born mother Myrtle.
Spence’s first sporting love was netball, which she played until she was 21. Then she decided to give rugby a go and has never looked back.
Grand Slam team
Just five years after taking up the game, she was a member of Ireland’s Grand Slam-winning team. In the middle of it all she moved to Dublin, where her involvement in rugby has been all-consuming. When not playing with Old Belvedere and
Leinster
she was involved in community development work with Leinster, before taking up the position as Dublin City University’s Rugby Development Officer last year.
Spence (28) is passionate about the future of the women’s game in Ireland, convinced that there is enough raw talent out there, inspired by the success of the national team in recent years, to ensure a bright future. But only if appreciated, encouraged and funded. That’s the challenge.
Another Six Nations title would provide further impetus, but with three wins out of three so far, it’s for France to lose. Still, they have England to play in Twickenham, so a slip-up there could allow Spence & co to prosper.
First, though, they must beat Wales, also with two wins from three, on Sunday, before getting the better of Scotland in their final fixture, both games away.
If they fall short, it won’t be for the lack of trying, not least from the indefatigable Sophie Spence.
Previous monthly winners:
December:
Ann Marie McGlynn (Athletics). The Offaly woman captained the Irish senior women’s team to an unlikely bronze medal at the European Cross-Country Championships in Bulgaria.
January:
Gráinne Dwyer (Basketball). For the second year running, Dwyer was the MVP in the National Cup final, this time driving Team Montenotte, Glanmire to success over Killester, top-scoring in the game with 20 points.
Awards run from December 2014 to November 2015, inclusive.
