Guest backs Sheehan and Breen to make big impact with Ireland

MUNSTER Women’s head coach Laura Guest has backed both Laura Sheehan and Enya Breen to make an impact in the Irish set-up.

Both Sheehan from Urhan and Skibbereen native Breen have been named in the Ireland women’s squad for the upcoming November Test matches against the USA and England.

Sheehan and Breen were both part of Guest’s Munster team that, despite finishing the interprovincial series unbeaten, relinquished their title, so the Clon woman knows the two rising West Cork rugby stars better than most.

‘Laura works extremely hard, she does an extra 25-minute of strength and conditioning at the end of every training session and we have seen her mature into a top player,’ Guest said.

‘She’s really quick too and that’s what an international winger needs these days. As well as that she makes the right decisions with the ball. It’s great to see Laura get her chance with Ireland.’

The Beara rugby star was a key player in the Munster team that won the 2017 interprovincial series while for Breen, 19, daughter of Ian and Catherine, the past campaign was her first involved in the senior Munster team. But the second year UL physio student didn’t look out of place.

‘Enya is a very exciting player, one of the most exciting players that I have seen in a long time to be honest,’ Guest said.

‘She’s a player for the now and for the future. Enya is very highly rated and she has a big future ahead of her. We were really impressed by her performances in the interpros, especially when you consider how young she still is.’

The rising Bantry Bay RFC star was part of the Munster U18 set-up last year and grabbed her chance with the province’s senior women’s team this season.

‘Hopefully they’ll get the chance to show the Ireland management what they can do in the upcoming games and then force their way into the squad for the Six Nations,’ Guest said.

‘It’s a big boost for women’s rugby in West Cork to see two local players selected for Ireland. It shows that the talent is here in West Cork, that it can be done and hopefully it will inspire more to keep working hard and trying to take the same steps.’

Ireland will play the USA in Donnybrook on November 18th and then England in Twickenham on November 24th.