THE DEFT, SKILLFUL offloads have earned Ireland lock Sam Monaghan the rather slick nickname of ‘Sammy Bill,’ in reference to New Zealand’s former offload guru Sonny Bill Williams.
The 28-year-old’s ability to play the ball out of contact certainly caught the eye in Ireland’s defeats to Wales and France and though there weren’t any of the trademark offloads yesterday during their 29-8 win over Italy, Monaghan delivered a huge performance to be named player of the match.
The Wasps lock was Ireland’s top ball-carrier with 12 and made huge dents in the Italian defence, breaking five tackles as she consistently got her team over the gainline. There were two passes in there too as Monaghan underlined that she is suited to the ambitious style of play Ireland are pursuing under Greg McWilliams.
Defensively, Monaghan got through nine tackles and again made her athleticism count as she denied Italy momentum by slowing up their ball-carriers.
With Ireland delivering an improved performance at the scrum and lineout, Monaghan played her part in the set-piece, while she also contributed to the speed of the Irish possession with some good work at the attacking rucks.
Monaghan has stood out as one of the best Irish players in recent weeks and perhaps even one of the best players in the Six Nations so far.
It’s not bad going for someone who only took up rugby five years ago, having previously been a Meath underage footballer as well as playing basketball, camogie, and soccer.
Monaghan moved to Brighton in the UK at that stage and joined Lewes RFC simply to make some friends, but within a year she had signed for top club Wasps and then her Ireland debut came in 2021.
While Monaghan showed glimpses of her quality for Ireland during their failed World Cup qualifying campaign last year, we are now really starting to see the scale of her potential in the green jersey as her power and skill level come to the fore.
Her second row pairing with captain Nichola Fryday is still really in its infancy and they will continue to push Ireland’s set-piece work, but that combination is one area of real promise for Ireland.
“She’s a quality second row,” said Fryday of Monaghan after the win over Italy.
“She has been doing it in the Prem all year. I’m glad she is finally getting the recognition she deserves. She’s a baller, extremely skillful. I’m delighted for her.”
Head coach McWilliams has been equally pleased to see Monaghan stepping up and he wants to see others follow her example.
“I just want to give her the ball more,” said McWilliams. “Our goal is that players come into camp thinking it’s Christmas Eve and they’re excited to come in. We allow them, hopefully, to be themselves and be able to bring their personality.
“She’s becoming a leader. This girl is someone who has got great potential for us, one of a number of players who are really coming on.
“Christy Haney did great, she worked really well, and for Katie O’Dwyer to come on as a prop was really important.
“Edel McMahon was outstanding, you just hope the players are arriving, feeling they’re in a positive environment where they can improve and see the clarity in the plan.”
The Roy Keane.
Someone who hasn’t grasped the idea that 5 aside football is normally just for a bit of craic with mates midweek and there are no medals handed out at the end but plays and shouts like it’s the champions league final and is still fuming and talking about it 3 days later.
The Gaelic Footballer.
Doesn’t get the idea of a one-two, thinks short passing is a waste of time and likes belting the ball as hard as he can up the other end of the pitch. Never lets you out of the corner; in fact runs full belt at you and tries to kill you. Loves to drop the shoulder, especially when challenging for the ball near the side wall. Short shorts, big arse, hugely enthusiastic, often whoops, but never gets asked back again.
Classic
Also will never pass the ball backwards.
The better brother of a guy who made it professionaly. The only reason this guy didn’t was because of the drink. ‘Could have played with Celtic’. Slaughters you for 10 minutes then has a coronary for 50 minutes.
The Pro….
Struts onto the turf with the newest gear out, under armour and hairband, first touch of a donkey but counts every goal scored week in week out (I’ve 30 goals in astro this season) and to top it off asks around after the game does anybody know of a good physio cuz he’s feeling a bit tight in the groin….
Eh, what’s up with the dates on people’s comments – they’re all over the shop!?
The sub…
Usually one of the lads sons who come along to get him outta the house so the mother can catch up on Corrie. He’s probably around 12-14 years old. He’ll go in goals so “no hard shots lads, sure he’s only a chap!’ Which is a distinct advantage. He’ll turn out to be amazing and no matter how hard you hit it, he’ll dive full length, collecting the ball in mid flight, a few somersaults and rolls and he’s off up the pitch, nutmegging and steps overs to bate tha band before sticking it in the top corner. As he walks back up the pitch, he’s given a little reminder of what age group of lads he’s actually playing with and someone decides to ‘soften his cough’ by ‘puttin a pup in him’ which ultimately results in a screaming kid rolling around all ‘ronaldo-esque’ with a shoving match between his dad and the offending individual. But all is settled with a few pints in the local with the young lad sippin a lemonade and chompin on a packet o’ Tatyo texting his mates with indecipherable gobbledegook about the dinosaurs he’s destroyed earlier….!
The john terry… He’s around shagging your missus while your not at home
The peter bonetti…..The keeper who is like a cat in 5 a side goals… But gets caught out on the big pitch!
The Heart – possesses all the drive, will and spirit a manager could ever ask of a player. Shows up every week and runs himself into the ground but ultimately has two left shins
Also known as the Zinedine Kilbane. Which would make it 2 right shins.
The Deer
Happy out chasing fellas and the ball. Gets caught in the headlights upon receiving said ball
The Hub
This is the guy who believes that the only good pass is a pass to him – generally loud and persistent.
The had trials ……
The muppet who was been chased by utd and Liverpool as a kid but wanted to do his leaving first! Turns out to be crap and then blames pitch,ball,lighting,his team,his footwear,drink from last night,injury……..
He wouldve made it if it wasnt for the drink…….
Forgot the dreaded “toy boy”. Shows up in the full Real Madrid kit with sparkling new green Astro boots wearing a head bank and gold cross around his neck. Cries off injured after 5 mins as everyone realises he’s awful.
For whatever reason somebody has pulled out due to “work”, always the same person, and the only replacement is another players son or nephew. The next 60 minutes involve getting nutmegged repeatedly and chasing his shadow.
The Rainman – really sweaty guy, with wet marks on chest, armpits, groin after 20secs of play. Spray of water in his wake and if you make any contact with, you may actually drown. Drinks out of everyone’s bottles and is a consistent back washer!! In a nutshell, wet!!
Nothing else happened except my goal… You’ve hammered him 17 3 but he’s scored a good goal… Maybe the best goal of the game but he’s otherwise been abysmal…. He ruffles your keepers head as you leave and tells him… Ha you won’t forget that one in a hurry…. You meet him in a boozer five nights later and he makes you lose the will to live jabbering on about it
“he takes a first touch that’s heavier than a black hole” – you my friend need to get a script writing role for Jim Beglin! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKw3EO3xpQc (1.22, in the best video ever produced by RTE)
The sweaty guy. Starts pumpin after 5 mins. Or the football cogs guy. Catches ure ankle with a stud and just says ‘oh sorry, you alrite ?’ As he jogs on.
The Heather Mills. Can only pass/shoot with one foot which makes him as easy to read, can also be called the Roald Dahl.