The FRU caught up earlier this week with Stacey Lea Kennedy who is poised to win her first Ireland cap against Italy on Sunday afternoon in Rovigo. KO 13:30 Irish time.

Stacey plays her club Rugby in AIL2N for City of Derry and this is her second year in the Ulster panel. A popular team member and definitely one of the jokers off the pitch, Stacey is a hard running and hard tackling player with a huge work rate and good ball carrying skills.

Congratulations Stacey on your selection how does it feel to have made the Ireland team?

I’m just completely shocked at the minute. I’ve had a crazy year, what with getting married and then getting the call up to Ireland training in December. At the start of the season we were joking on our way to Ulster trials imagining what it would be like to get a call up to Ireland never thinking it would be so soon!

It’s been a fantastic experience so far and I’ve enjoyed every bit of it. The rest of the (Ireland) girls are lovely and the staff and coaches are really good, I just look forward to working more with them.

Have you found it much of a step up from AIL 2N?

Definitely for me it has been quite a step. I am finding out that there is so much about rugby that I didn’t know. I’ve learnt so much in terms of general movement and speed and really what rugby is all about. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it but it’s a massive step up, a massive difference!

So how will you feel on Sunday afternoon standing on a pitch in Italy and they start playing Ireland Call?

That’s when it’ll hit me. I don’t think it’s hit me just quite yet but when I’m standing there with all the girls, I’ll be getting a bit pumped, I’m just going to want to get out there now and do it!

I watched the England New Zealand final in the World Cup and just watching the New Zealand girls do the haka and the England girls stepping up to them it made me want to get out and play as well.

I’m really looking forward to it I can not wait!

How’s the reaction been at City of Derry?

The guys have been absolutely fantastic, so supportive. Anything I’ve needed in terms of coaching, in terms of gear they’ve been able to provide. They are absolutely over the moon with my selection!

I received an email from Andrew McCartney, the Chairman, and from some of the other guys just congratulating me and saying how pleased they were, that my hard work has paid off and that it sets a mark for the rest of the City of Derry players, male and the female. Everybody is buzzing!

I’d like to thank everyone at the club for their support – it means a lot.

---