Kate Flannery's Ireland ambitions remain ahead of AIL final

Michael Bolton

While all of Kate Flannery's focus will be on the AIL final this weekend for UL Bohemians, getting back into the Ireland squad remains a priority for her.

After recovering from injury, Flannery has once again been key to getting her club to another final, where they will face Blackrock this weekend.

Women's rugby is on a high at the moment, with Ireland playing in front of a record crowd in Galway during their 57-20 win over Italy.

Speaking to BreakingNews.ie, the Munster fly-half is happy with the current state of the women's game.

"The record attendance in Twickenham was insane to see.

"It is nice to see double headers exist in the AIL with the men's. It is a positive move forward for women's rugby."

Having been part of previous Ireland squads, Flannery knows what is needed to get back into the international set-up.

From watching teammates on social media prepare for games, to friends getting their first cap, there could not be more motivation, with the rest of the two more games in the Six Nations, and tests in September on the agenda.

"At the start of November, I got injured and was out for a couple of months; that was definitely not ideal timing.

"At the moment, getting back to playing and gaining that momentum, it is definitely a goal to get back in that squad.

"Eilish Cahill, one of my good friends making her debut. Just seeing how many performances she has put in at club and provincial level, it is so nice she is being recognised and getting a cap, which she deserves so much.

"It just shows through the AIL, keep putting in the performances, keep to winning ways if we can, being seen at the inter-provincial level, it is definitely feeding into the Six Nations squad."

If Kate wants inspiration as to how to come back from injury at fly-half, she does not have to look too far, with her brother Jake back in fine form for Ulster.

"Jake and I would be very close; we would talk a lot about rugby.

"Just to see him get a run of games injury-free is unreal. At Easter, getting to go up and see them play in the quarter-final where he started, it was a special moment.

"Jake and I talk a lot about how resilient he has been, he has waited his time and put the work in. It is nice to have someone to talk to when things aren't going the best, to be relatable and understand where you are coming from."