Kennedy thrilled with Grand Slam success

The Ulster and City of Derry hooker was thrilled after their narrow 6-3 win over Italy, in Milan, which clinched them the championship.

“It can be a very rewarding sport. When I started out I didn’t even know there was an Ulster team and to be the captain of my province and winning a Grand Slam with Ireland is just amazing,” she stated.

“In the three years I’ve been involved we have improved considerably and the young players who are coming through now are exceptional.

“Now we know what we are capable of I think we’ll continue to improve. At the start of the season our aim was to win the Six Nations and we would definitely like to defend it now.”

Kennedy admitted that she and her team-mates knew if they wanted to clinch the championship that last Sunday’s encounter in Parabiago was going to be a big test for them.

“It was a very tough game but that was what we expected. Italy have had their best ever Six Nations and were targetting World Cup qualification so we knew it was going to be a difficult game.

“The weather in Milan on Friday and Saturday had been glorious and we had been talking about wearing moulded studs as the ground was so dry but it changed completely on Sunday with heavy rain and snow and it made it a very heavy pitch for the girls to play on.

“Italy had already played two games in horrendous conditions in the Championship so we felt that would be an advantage to them but we felt if we kept our discipline the scores would come for us in the end. I think we had the better scoring opportunities in the game but just didn’t take them but thankfully we held on late on to come out on top.

“It can be hard to get into a game cold like that and there is an onus on you as the fresh legs to make an impact but Philip made it very clear to me what my role was in defence and attack and I was straight into the action as Italy pushed forward.

“I didn’t play against France in Ashbourne but I had come on in a similar situation against Wales and England where it was big defensive effort so I knew what job I had to do.”

The 27-year-old also admitted that Monday’s homecoming in Dublin is something, which she will always remember.

“The welcome home at Dublin Airport on Monday was crazy. We knew there would be some people there but we didn’t expect such a huge crowd. We’ve seen footballers receiving welcomes like that but it was something we never thought would happen to us.”

Unfortunately the Judges Road out-fit have been struggling in recent seasons, but Kennedy hopes her international success will improve the fortunes of the ladies team and may even get more girls interested about playing rugby.

“The live coverage of the game on Sunday on television and the attention the Grand Slam win has received had brought women’s rugby to a wider audience and hopefully that will encourage young players to get involved.

“Players like Ireland international Joanne Nixon and Glenda Mellon have left City of Derry and the only girls remaining from the original team are myself and Kerry Holmes. It’s a rebuilding period at the club and I’d encourage as many girls as possible to get involved,” she concluded.