Niamh Briggs

Niamh Briggs (born 30 September 1984) is an Ireland women's rugby union international. She represented Ireland at the 2010 and 2014 Women's Rugby World Cups. She was also a member of the Ireland teams that won the 2013 and 2015 Women's Six Nations Championships. Briggs was a member of the first Ireland teams to defeat France, England and New Zealand. She was captain of the Ireland team when they won the 2015 Six Nations title and was the top points scorer during both the 2013 and 2015 Six Nations championships. Briggs is also an Ireland women's rugby sevens international and has also played senior Ladies' Gaelic football for Waterford. Briggs is a Garda Síochána officer based in Limerick.

Niamh Briggs
Birth nameNiamh Briggs
Date of birth (1984-09-30) 30 September 1984
Height1.7 m (5 ft 7 in)
Weight80 kg (180 lb; 12 st 8 lb)
SchoolSt Augustine's College, Dungarvan
UniversityWaterford Institute of Technology
Garda Síochána College
University of Limerick
Occupation(s)Garda Síochána officer
Rugby union career
Position(s) Full back / Out half
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2005–08
2008–10
2010–		 Dungarvan
Clonmel
UL Bohemians		 ()
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007– Munster 22+ ()
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008–  Ireland 57+
National sevens team(s)
Years Team Comps
2013–  Ireland

Early years, family and education

Briggs grew up in the Abbeyside, Ballinacourty and Dungarvan areas of County Waterford. She is the daughter of Geraldine and Michael Briggs. Her mother is a nurse and her father worked in the pharmaceutical industry. She was raised in a sporting family. Her brothers, Shane and Liam, both played Gaelic football for Waterford. Shane captained the senior team. Her sister Roisin also represented Munster at field hockey.[1][2][3][4][5] In her youth Briggs played field hockey and Gaelic football as well as entering athletics competitions. She completed her secondary level education at St Augustine's College, Dungarvan and sat for her Leaving Cert in 2003.[6] Between 2004 and 2008 she attended the Waterford Institute of Technology where she gained a BA in Exercise and Health Studies. As of 2018–19 Briggs is attending the University of Limerick where she is studying Sports Psychology.[7][8]

Ladies' Gaelic football
Niamh Briggs
Personal information
Sport Ladies' Gaelic football
Position Forward
Club(s)
Years Club
 Old Parish (Dungarvan)
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
2003–2010
 Waterford

Clubs

Briggs played ladies' Gaelic football at club level for Old Parish.[9][10]

Inter-County

Briggs played for Waterford at senior inter-county level. In 2005 she played in the Munster Senior Championship final against Cork at Páirc Uí Rinn.[9] On 9 July 2009 Briggs scored 2–3, including a 30-metre point, as she helped Waterford defeat Clare 2–14 to 2–10 as they won the Munster Intermediate Championship final.[11] In 2010 she played for Waterford in two further Intermediate finals. On 3 July she played in the Munster Intermediate Championship final as Waterford defeated Limerick.[12][13] On 26 September she also played for Waterford in the 2010 All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies' Football Championship final. Waterford played a Donegal team that included Briggs' Ireland women's rugby union international teammate, Nora Stapleton.[14][15][16][17][18]

Rugby union

Clubs

Briggs first began playing women's rugby union while attending Waterford Institute of Technology. She subsequently played ten-a-side with Dungarvan before making the move in 2008 to the senior game with Clonmel. In 2010 she joined UL Bohemians after transferring to Limerick with the Garda Síochána.[2][19][18][4][20][12]

Munster

Briggs has played for Munster in the IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series.[18] She was recruited by Munster in 2007 after being spotted playing tag rugby by then Munster U21 manager, Kate McCarthy.[20] She was subsequently a prominent member of the Munster teams that won the Interpro title in the 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012.[12][19][21][22] In 2015 she was named captain of the Munster team.[23]

Ireland international

Briggs made her debut for Ireland on 1 February 2008 against Italy.[24] Briggs subsequently represented Ireland at the 2010 and 2014 Women's Rugby World Cups. She was also a member of the Ireland teams that won the 2013 and 2015 Women's Six Nations Championships.[12][25]

During the 2009 Women's Six Nations Championship, Briggs was a member first Ireland team to defeat France.[26] In 2013 Briggs was a prominent member of the Ireland team that won their first ever Six Nations, Grand Slam and Triple Crown titles. Briggs scored three tries and kicked 28 points and finished the championship as the top points scorer with 43. This included a try, a conversion and a penalty as Ireland defeated England 25–0 on 9 February. This was Ireland's first ever win against England. Ireland secured the Grand Slam and with a 6–3 away win against Italy on Saint Patrick's Day. Two penalties from Briggs gave Ireland their fifth win in a row.[27][19][18][28][29][30] Briggs was subsequently named the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Women's Player of the Year for 2013.[19][31]

At the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup she was a member of the first Ireland team to defeat New Zealand. She scored two conversions and a penalty and set up a try for Alison Miller as Ireland won 17–14 [19][32][33][34] She was named to the tournament Dream Team.[35]


Briggs was later named the Ireland Women's Player of the Year for a second successive year.[36] Briggs captained the Ireland team that won the 2015 Women's Six Nations Championship and again finished the championship as the top points scorer, this time with 49.[12][24][37][38][39]

Briggs did not feature in the 2017 Six Nations due to a hamstring injury. She recovered from this injury and was initially included in the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup squad. However she then had to withdraw from this squad because of an Achilles tendon injury.[3][40][41] Briggs returned to the national team for the 2018 Six Nations.[42][43]

Briggs has played for the Ireland women's national rugby sevens team in several tournaments, including the 2013 European Women's Sevens Grand Prix Series and the Kazan Tournament during the 2016 Rugby Europe Women's Sevens Grand Prix Series.[44][45][46]

Garda Síochána officer

Briggs is a Community Garda Síochána officer based at Roxboro Road Garda Station in Limerick. She graduated from Garda Síochána College in 2010.[7][2][1] In her role as a community officer, she has regularly organised rugby union and association football training sessions at Garryowen Football Club for children from local housing estates.[47][48][49] In both 2013 and 2015 Briggs received the Coiste Siamsa award. The award is presented to Gardaí who have achieved success in their chosen sports and is presented by the Garda Commissioner. In 2013 she received she received the award from Martin Callinan and in 2015 she received it from Nóirín O'Sullivan.[50][51]

Honours

Rugby union
Ireland
Munster
Individual
  • Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Women's Player of the Year Award
    • 2013, 2014
  • Coiste Siamsa Award
    • 2013, 2015
Ireland Sevens

Gaelic football
Waterford

References
  1. "Irish rugby captain Niamh Briggs never misses a beat". www.irishexaminer.com. 10 March 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  2. "Pitch perfect: Irish rugby captain Niamh Briggs on juggling garda career and sport". www.independent.ie. 4 December 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  3. "'There were some really dark days' - Niamh Briggs finds a new lease of life". www.the42.ie. 10 March 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  4. "World Cup star Briggs takes inspiration from Wilkinson and ROG". www.the42.ie. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  5. "Community Notes". www.munster-express.ie. 28 February 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  6. "My Leaving: Niamh Briggs". www.irishtimes.com. 17 June 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  7. "Niamh Briggs - Garda - An Garda Síochána - Career Interview". careersportal.ie. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  8. "Niamh Briggs". ie.linkedin.com. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  9. "These 10 top Irish female athletes have experienced the wrath of Cork". www.the42.ie. 24 September 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  10. "Injury-hit ladies stung by the Deise". The Kerryman. 10 July 2003. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  11. "Deise wrestle Munster title from Banner's firm grip". www.munster-express.ie. 9 July 2009. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  12. "Niamh Briggs". www.irishrugby.ie. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  13. "Waterford v Limerick - TG4 Ladies Football Munster Intermediate Championship Final Photos". www.sportsfile.com. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  14. "From 'girls not allowed' play to international star, with Croke Park glory over Ireland teammate in between". www.the42.ie. 4 June 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  15. "Donegal v Waterford - TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies Football Championship Final Photos". www.sportsfile.com. 26 September 2010. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  16. "World Cup hopes built on Gaelic football foundations". www.rte.ie. 11 August 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  17. "Former Ladies Footballers Fuel Irish Rugby's Bid for World Rugby Glory". ladiesgaelic.ie. 9 August 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  18. "RWC: Getting To Know Niamh Briggs". munsterrugby.ie. 25 July 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  19. "Niamh Briggs Honoured Women's Player of the Year". munsterrugby.ie. 12 November 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  20. "Irish girls fear no-one after Slam – Briggs". www.independent.ie. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  21. "Munster Women Claim Interpro Title". munsterrugby.ie. 27 October 2007. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  22. "Munster Women Make It Three-In-A-Row". www.irishrugby.ie. 27 October 2008. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  23. "Niamh Briggs Named Munster Captain". munsterrugby.ie. 23 July 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  24. "Niamh Briggs takes over from the retired Fiona Coughlan as Ireland's new captain". www.independent.ie. 27 January 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  25. "Irish rugby captain Niamh Briggs: 'Young girls are put off sport through social media pressure'". www.independent.ie. 30 May 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  26. "Women Secure First Ever Victory Over France". www.irishrugby.ie. 6 February 2009. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  27. "Miller hat-trick hands Ireland historic win over England". www.sixnationsrugby.com. 9 February 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  28. "Women's Six Nations: Champions Ireland complete Grand Slam". www.bbc.co.uk. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  29. "Grand Slam Glory For Ireland Women". www.irishrugby.ie. 17 March 2013. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  30. "Narrow win secures Grand Slam for Irish women". www.irishtimes.com. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  31. "Sexton and Briggs scoop player of the year gong". www.the42.ie. 11 November 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  32. "Black Ferns lose historic match to Ireland". www.allblacks.com. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  33. "Women's Rugby World Cup 2014: Ireland stun four-time champions New Zealand". www.telegraph.co.uk. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  34. "Irish women's rugby team record historic win over New Zealand". www.independent.ie. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  35. "Womens RWC - #WRWC2014 Dream Team revealed after fan vote". web.archive.org. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  36. "Trimble and Briggs pick up player of the year awards". www.irishexaminer.com. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  37. "Women's Six Nations: Ireland hammer Scotland to clinch title". www.bbc.co.uk. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  38. "Biggest Ever Win Seals Six Nations Title For Ireland Women". www.irishrugby.ie. 22 March 2015. Archived from the original on 6 March 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  39. "Ireland Women Crowned 6 Nations Champions". www.leinsterrugby.ie. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  40. "Niamh Briggs Ruled Out Of Women's Rugby World Cup". www.irishrugby.ie. 31 July 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  41. "Women's Rugby World Cup: Ireland captain Niamh Briggs out of home tournament". www.bbc.co.uk. 31 July 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  42. "Briggs returns for Six Nations". www.independent.ie. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  43. "Briggs: I definitely fell out of love with the game after the World Cup". www.independent.ie. 10 March 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  44. "Plate Success For Ireland Women In Brive". www.irishrugby.ie. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  45. "Ireland Women's Sevens Squad Confirmed For Kazan". www.irishrugby.ie. 7 June 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  46. "This weekend sees Ireland get a final shot at qualifying for the Olympic 7s". www.the42.ie. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  47. "Rugby hero plays a starring role in community policing". www.irishexaminer.com. 3 April 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  48. "Rugby star garda uses sport to help children". www.independent.ie. 3 April 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  49. "Niamh Briggs' passion for rugby would almost put Paul O'Connell to shame". www.sportsjoe.ie. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  50. "Ireland star Niamh Briggs among winners at Garda Sportstar awards". www.the42.ie. 17 November 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  51. "Coiste Siamsa award for Niamh Briggs". www.munster-express.ie. 1 December 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
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