The pride of Killinchy

The pride of Killinchy

14 April 2021

A KILLINCHY born rugby star featured in Ireland’s opening win against Wales in the Women’s Six Nations Championship.

Brittany Hogan (22) won her second Six Nations cap for the national team in Ireland’s 45-0 demolition over the Welsh side at Cardiff Arms Park.

The former Down High School student said she really enjoyed the game, describing it as “another proud moment for my family and all of the supporters at home”.

Hogan said the Irish squad has been training for so long, having only played two international games in the past year and it was great to actually get a game of rugby.

She made a second half appearance to join the front five, as Ireland led comfortably through tries from teenage sensation Bébihinn Parsons and Eimear Considine, with the visitors showing no signs of rust following a six-month layoff from the sport, as Wales helplessly entered the break 31 points adrift, with the home side

But Ireland did have to wait until the final 20 minutes of the match before they could add to their first half score, as Wales showed their toughness.

“As a squad we were very happy with our performance especially as we haven’t had a 45-0 win in a couple of years” said Hogan. 

“The goal for the first 20 minutes was to be as dominant as we could and we did that. However, the second half showed that we haven’t played in six months. There was rustiness and Wales showed their resilience as a team but that’s just who the Welsh are,” she continued.

The Irish forward was full of praise for her team after the full time whistle as Ireland got their Six Nations campaign off to a flyer.

“As I’m a forward I understand the work that goes on behind the scenes so I can maybe appreciate parts of the team that go under the radar a bit more” she revealed.

“Our front row was sensational, our scrums were top class and that sometimes goes unnoticed. The scorers were phenomenal of course and I think Dorothy Wall had 27 carries which is exceptional.”

Hogan previously made her Six Nations debut last October in a win against Italy, with the

versatile second row first representing her country in the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series in 2018. Now, Hogan has her sights firmly set on the future.

“My first try against New Zealand was a dream introduction to the World Series. I’ve been watching all these girls that I am playing with or against and I was just starstruck,” she revealed.

“I am still in awe at times, such as when I share hotels with the likes of Claire Molloy who I grew up watching or Ciara Griffin who of course is still young, but someone I look up to,” she said.

The rugby ace attributes the success of her blossoming career to the various local sports she took part in growing up.

“I started rugby a lot later than most of my teammates did as I played for Ballynahinch Rugby Club when I was 16 years-old which I absolutely loved,” said Hogan. 

“I was playing hockey regularly and also played gaelic football for local clubs Downpatrick RGU,  Carryduff and Down ladies. The amount of transferable skills that I got from sports growing up are so helpful for my rugby game. It helped fast track me to get to the level the players are that started earlier.”

The Ulster Rugby forward also nodded kindly to her local upbringing, whilst firmly remaining a grounded role model for up and coming local athletes.

“I get a strong sense of pride when my previous schools’ acknowledge me for something. Both Killinchy Primary and Down High have pointed to me as a success story 

and I really appreciate that” she said.

“I would get a lot of younger girls messaging me nice comments on social media or asking for advice and I think that’s something that is just a really cool thing to be in a position for,” she continued.

Hogan is currently finishing her degree in Sports Science at Dublin City University before she takes a year off from education to focus solely on her rugby career.

Ireland now turn their attention to this Saturday as they face France in Dublin in their second Six Nations clash. The French team are the current Pool B leaders after beating Wales in their opening game 53-0.