Claire McLaughlin

Claire McLaughlin (born 21 November 1991) is a women's rugby union player from Bushmills, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, and a qualified doctor. She plays for Ulster Rugby and the Ireland women's national rugby union team as a back row, having previously played in the centre.[1]

Claire McLaughlin

Date of birth	21 November 1991
Place of birth	Bushmills, Northern Ireland
University	Queen's University Belfast
Occupation(s)	Doctor
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre, Back Row Current team Ulster, Ireland Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) . Ballymoney Cooke Queen's University Old Belvedere R.F.C () Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) . Ulster () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2015–  Ireland

Early life and education

McLaughlin was born on 21 November 1991[2] and is the daughter of John McLaughlin, a beef farmer, and his wife Pamela, a teacher. She has two brothers.[3] She grew up on a farm.[3] She was educated at Coleraine High School in Coleraine, County Londonderry.[3] After this she studied medicine at Queen's University, Belfast.[3]

Career

Following graduation, she spent her foundation year as a junior doctor at Mater Infirmorum Hospital, Belfast.[3] At the hospital, her colleagues gave her the nickname of "McSwaplin", since she often swapped shifts at the hospital to accommodate her rugby schedule.[4]

McLaughlin's introduction to rugby was through playing tag rugby at school, and she later joined Ballymoney RFC. After moving to Belfast, McLaughlin started playing for Cooke WRFC before changing to Queen's University RFC.[5] She made her debut for Ulster aged 18 while still at university.[3] She made her debut for the Ireland women's national rugby union team in 2015.[3] She was selected for Ireland's 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup squad as one of only two Ulster players selected.[4] McLaughlin was named as a substitute for Ireland's opening match against the Australia women's national rugby union team at the UCD Bowl in Dublin, Republic of Ireland.[6] She was dropped for Ireland's final game in the seventh-place playoff against Wales held at Ulster's Ravenhill Stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland.[7]

Personal life

McLaughlin is a Christian.[8] While playing rugby, she wears wrist tape with "AO1" on it to give thanks to God for her career.[8] McLaughlin is also a trained pianist,[9] having played the keyboard and organ in church.[3]

References

1. O'Reilly, Peter (29 January 2017). "Hard work pays off for McLaughlin". The Times. Retrieved 9 November 2017.(subscription required)
2. "Claire McLaughlin". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
3. "Meet Belfast doctor Claire McLaughlin lining out for Irish rugby". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
4. "McLaughlin Has Remedy At The Ready For World Cup Fever y". IRFU. 1 August 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
5. "Claire McLaughlin Q&A". Queen's University. 9 August 2017. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
6. McKenna, Micheal (9 August 2017). "Ireland kick-off Women's Rugby World Cup in Dublin tonight". Armagh I. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
7. "Ireland victory is a must to avoid World Cup humiliation". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
8. "Belfast doctor ready for Women's Rugby World Cup challenge". The Irish News. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
9. Kiely, Ben (13 February 2017). "WATCH: Irish rugby star keeps airport goers entertained with one of her many talents". SportsJOE.ie. Retrieved 9 November 2017.