ALISON MILLER, ONE of the last remaining links to Ireland’s famous World Cup victory over New Zealand, has today announced her retirement from international rugby after a 10-year career.
The 34-year-old was part of Ireland’s Grand Slam-winning team in 2013 and played an integral role in their run to the 2014 World Cup semi-finals, scoring that iconic and unforgettable try against the Black Ferns in Marcoussis.
Miller, who won 47 caps for Ireland after making her debut in 2010, showed remarkable resilience and character to fight her way back from a double leg break to feature in the recently-concluded Six Nations.
After 12 months on the sideline, the Laois native made her injury comeback off the bench against England on the opening weekend of the championship before starting, and scoring, in the away victory over Scotland in round two.
Miller, a winger of exceptional speed and skill, ends her international career with 23 tries, two Six Nations and a Grand Slam, while she also represented her country in the sevens format.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to play for my country for the last ten years, however, all good things must come to an end,” she said.
Miller’s retirement means there is now just one player from Philip Doyle’s Kiwi-conquering 23 — Claire Molloy — still playing for Ireland five years on, while Ashleigh Baxter is involved in the sevens set-up.
The 2019 Six Nations was the Old Belvedere and Connacht winger’s 10th championship in a green jersey, as Adam Griggs’ side endured a difficult campaign, ultimately finishing fifth after just one win from their five outings.
It has been an honour and a privilege to play for my country for the last 10 year's however all good things must come to an end. Thank you to those who have helped me over the year's especially my partner Alan family and friends. Thanks for the memories❤#betterwhenbitter pic.twitter.com/AJAXkt1Zk3
— Alison Miller (@aligal1984) March 19, 2019
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Some would say that’s the very definition of a perfect headline – get people interested enough to start to read the story. Some would say it’s the very definition of the worst type of clickbait. But either way, of approx 1300 views at the time I’m writing this, I’d say about 1290 were from people puzzled as to how ireland could lead the Six Nations after Scotland, and only about 10 were from people who either knew or cared that it referred to the women’s team instead.
I watched the women’s game the other night. I was very impressed with the skill levels, crisp passsing, great ruck technique and some good set plays. It was a good game to watch with a great crash centre move to steal the game. Stuff the usual moronic comments that will inevitably appear on here. I’m looking forward to the next match. Oh, and you might show the lads how to win a tight game.
Look. My comment is merely about the headline here. Not about the skill levels in the women’s game, or the ability to win a tight match, or anything else. No matter how big a supporter you might be of the women’s game, you still surely have to accept that there wouldn’t be nearly as many clicks if the headline specified ‘Women’s Six Nations’. That’s all I’m saying.
Hey Jumperoo, I didn’t actually respond to your comment and was making a general point. In fairness, anyone that clicked thinking the irish mens team could be top having lost would want to go back to bed. Anyhow we’re all Irish fans of all Irish teams. Roll on next weekend.
Ps. Gave you a little green thumb there so we don’t fall out!