Injury setbacks will ‘stand to me in the future’ – Reilly

Italy v. Ireland Women’s Six Nations

Date: Sunday, March 30th, Kick-off: 5:00 BST

Numerous sportspeople would find it difficult to overcome two anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in just nine months.

However, she is determined to use those setbacks to aid in the development of her future rugby career and give her more motivation in the case of Ireland scrum-half Aoibheann Reilly.

The 24-year-old suffered a second ACL tear in last summer’s SVNS Grand Final in Madrid after initially struggling to recover from her first serious knee injury in the fall of 2023.

The Roscommon woman only made her competitive debut when she participated in the Clovers’ Celtic Challenge matches in early March after losing her chance to represent Ireland at the Paris Olympic Games.

In the final 25 minutes of Ireland’s 27-15 defeat by France in their opening Six Nations game in Belfast, Reilly was replaced by Emily Lane last week when he was substituted off the bench.

She will start for Sunday’s away game against Italy in Parma this week.

“I performed both of my left ACL and my right ACL.” Between both, I played for nine months. Although it was very difficult mentally, I knew that if I got it right, I would have suffered long-term injuries.

I wanted to attend the Olympics and wear the Ireland Nine jersey in the 15s game, returning from the first one. I put my hand up for both teams with great effort.

Although it was difficult, my family and I had a lot of support around me. Even though it was a very difficult situation, it really strengthens my resolve and ability to play.

Reilly continued, “It was a special moment to come out for Ireland against France last weekend despite all of her injury issues.”

Standing there for the anthem was “a very emotional moment,” she said.

“I was just focusing on getting back for that France game when I tore my ACL before the Olympics for a second time, and I knew everything had to go right on my rehab journey to get back on the pitch.”

“It was a significant moment for my family and I to wear green again.”

After defeating the French in their opening match, Reilly thinks Ireland can win the tournament if they face Italy in Parma on Sunday.

“We weren’t pleased with the performance we put out after the weekend. We occasionally went through really good phases, but she added that we weren’t as clinical as she was.

That’s our main focus this weekend, they say. pursuing the goal that we are capable of.

“We are aware of our talented players, but occasionally we make things difficult. We simply need to hold on to the ball during pressure situations, which is where we really need to go.