Judy Bobbett (right) in Leinster colours.

Bobbett included in Irish squad

Judy Bobbett from Ashbourne has been included on the Ireland women's rugby squad for the forthcoming series of training camps and a November international against Wales. 

Bobbett is a name that is synonymous with Ashbourne RFC as Pat Bobbitt, Judy's grandfather, was one of those who played a big part in helping to establish the club while her father Charles Bobbett is also a long-term member. 

Judy started her rugby career with Ashbourne at under-age level before moving on to Westmanstown and later Blackrock College. She has also played for Leinster. 

Ireland's head coach Adam Griggs has named a squad of 37 ahead of their busy November schedule.  The squad will travel to Scotland and France for training and practice games ahead of the test match against Wales in UCD Bowl on 10th November.

There are 10 uncapped players selected, including six of the Leinster team who clinched the Women’s Interprovincial title with victory over Connacht last Saturday.

Uncapped players include Bobbett, Victoria Dabanovich O’Mahony, Grace Miller, Niamh Ni Dhroma and Katie O’Dwyer have all been included in Griggs’ squad. Hannah O’Connor has been involved in previous squads and will be striving to get her first cap.

They are joined by Shannon Touhey from Connacht, Dorothy Wall and Claire Keohane from Munster as well as Mary Healy, a former Leinster U18 squad member who is currently studying at Lindenwood College in the USA, as the uncapped players named.

As part of their busy schedule Ireland have two away training sessions, including two training games against opposition from Scotland (26/27th October) and France (2/3rd November). 

Ireland Women’s squad is: 

Judy Bobbett (Blackrock College/ Leinster)*

Enya Breen (UL Bohemian/ Munster)

Anna Caplice (Harlequins/IQ)

Michelle Claffey (Blackrock College/ Leinster)

Eimear Considine (UL Bohemian/ Munster)

Ciara Cooney (Railway Union/ Leinster)

Nicole Cronin (UL Bohemians/Munster)

Victoria Dabanovich O’Mahony (Old Belvedere/Leinster)*

Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere/Ulster)

Lauren Delany (Firwood Waterloo/ IQ)

Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

Laura Feely (Galweigians/ Connacht)

Nichola Fryday (Old Belvedere/ Connacht)

Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemian/ Munster)

Mary Healy (Lindenwood College/ IQ)*

Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union/Leinster)

Claire Keohane (Railway Union/Munster)*

Leah Lyons (Harlequins/IQ)

Aoife McDermott (Railway Union/ Leinster)

Claire McLaughlin (Old Belvedere/Ulster)

Edel McMahon (Wasps/Connacht)

Grace Miller (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)*

Cliodhna Moloney (Wasps/IQ)

Larissa Muldoon (Railway Union/Leinster)

Ellen Murphy (Gloucester/ IQ)

Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)

Niamh Ni Dhroma (Old Belvedere/Leinster)*

Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College/ Leinster)*

Katie O’Dwyer (Railway Union/ Leinster)*

Anne-Marie O’Hora (Galweigians/ Connacht)

Beibhinn Parsons (Ballinasloe/ Connacht)

Lindsey Peat (Railway Union/ Leinster)

Laura Sheehan (UL Bohemian/ Munster)

Juliet Short (Railway Union/ Leinster)

Shannon Touhey (Tullamore/ Connacht)*

Dorothy Wall (Fethard/ Munster)*

Megan Williams (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

*Denotes uncapped player at this level