Loreto welcomes back past pupil and Irish Women's Rugby star, Sam Monaghan

Aishling Monaghan

There was a buzz of excitement at Loreto Secondary School St Michael’s, Navan, on Friday morning as students welcomed back one of their own – Irish rugby international and proud past pupil, Sam Monaghan.

Though it’s been 14 years since she last walked the school’s corridors, Sam spoke fondly of how the values and disciplines she learned at Loreto helped shape her journey to the top of her sport. Ireland were narrowly beaten by France in their World Cup quarter-final in Exeter last week.

Sam arrived with a collection of cherished memorabilia, including her World Cup cap, her World Cup participation medal, her Irish jersey embroidered with her name and her 27 caps, and a special teddy bear.

The bear, she explained, was handmade by the same man who embroiders the team jerseys – each one stitched with the player’s name on the back, making it a deeply personal keepsake.

During a lively Q&A session, students quizzed Sam on everything from her training routine and diet to her inspirations and favourite players. Sam’s story was especially inspiring as she reflected on overcoming serious injuries to return to elite rugby and achieving all this despite only starting to play at age 24.

When asked who she admired most, Sam didn’t name a global superstar. Instead, she reflected on her school days: “Anyone that gave it 100 per cent– I just had huge respect for them.”

Speaking about her position on the pitch, Sam laughed as she compared herself to players like Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy, and Paul O’Connell: “Usually the tall ones are put in that position!” she joked.

Asked about her favourite pre-match food, Sam didn’t hesitate: “Definitely pancakes – you can pack them full of protein, they’re healthy, light, and filling.”

Sam spoke warmly of her teammates, especially Dorothy Wall, whom she described as one of her closest friends and a player she greatly admires. Dorothy’s absence from this year’s World Cup due to injury was deeply felt. “We’ve played together a long time. We’ve been through the highs and lows in our careers, and going through tough times like that makes those bonds even stronger.”

The Loreto girls were captivated by stories of the team’s post-match traditions. Sam revealed that their hype song is “Killeagh” by Kingfishr, sung together after every game. A standout moment came when the team met the band after a concert in Brighton, and Kingfishr performed the song just for them – “a moment we’ll never forget,” Sam said.

She described the Irish team's ethos as a “powerful green wave” – united by a common purpose to inspire the next generation. “As long as we stay together and connected, we can wipe out any opposition. Like any wave, we’re continuous and forever growing.”

The morning was a golden opportunity for students to meet their hero. Though it was only a short visit, with Sam flying out to the States the next day, her story of resilience, hard work, and teamwork left a lasting impression, showing the students that the values learned at school can carry them all the way to the international stage.