The Clovers are one of the team’s representing Ireland in the Celtic Challenge. The team has been named as such because a clover is a leaf and has been a symbol closely associated with Ireland since Celtic times. It was seen as a lucky charm and often carried for protection. The Clovers are mainly comprised of players from the Irish provinces of Munster and Connacht.
The players will come from the Ireland national team, from the Irish Women’s National Talent Squad (WNTS) pathway and also players identified from the Interprovincial Series and the Energia Women’s All Ireland League. In an effort to develop depth for the national team, on occasion players from Leinster and Ulster (the other Irish provinces) will join the Clovers. The WNTS is structured around centres of excellence at the University of Galway, Atlantic Technological University Sligo, Dublin City University, Southeast Technological University Carlow, University of Limerick, and Queen’s University in Belfast.
The head coach for the Clovers is Denis Fogarty, who is the scrum coach for the Women’s National Team. Fogarty will be joined by Larissa Muldoon and Leah Lyons, both former Irish internationals. Muldoon is also the current WNTS coach for Connacht.
Commenting on his re-appointment with the Clovers, Fogarty said:
“I am really excited about this season’s Celtic Challenge on the back of a hugely successful period for Women’s rugby in Ireland with World Cup qualification secured through the Six Nations and a second place finish at WXV1 in Vancouver. The ongoing work of the Women’s National Talent Squads in unearthing new and exciting talent makes me really eager to get going.”
