The Front Row Union Sport - Ireland Women: Player of the Decade Result

Ireland Women: Player of the Decade Result

Feb 26, 2021

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The results are in and it’s huge congratulations to Niamh Briggs who was voted the Ireland Women Player of the Decade with 68% of the votes from our poll.

It’s a fitting acknowledgement to a player who truly was a colossus on the world stage and was one of the main driving forces behind Ireland Women’s Grand Slam championship season in 2013 and their No. 2 World Ranking on 2014.

Briggs first caught our eye in 2010 in a barnstorming performance for Ireland Women against Scotland in the World Cup, scoring a brace the 32 – 8 win. The match kick started our coverage of women’s rugby such was the standard displayed by the team, and Briggs in particular, as you can see from the pictures below.

Niamh Briggs in action for Ireland Women in the 32 – 8 win against Scotland at the Surrey Sports Park, Guildford. Sunday 5th September 2010.
Niamh Briggs in action for Ireland Women in the 32 – 8 win against Scotland at the Surrey Sports Park, Guildford. Sunday 5th September 2010.
Niamh Briggs in action for Ireland Women in the 32 – 8 win against Scotland at the Surrey Sports Park, Guildford. Sunday 5th September 2010.
Niamh Briggs in action for Ireland Women in the 32 – 8 win against Scotland at the Surrey Sports Park, Guildford. Sunday 5th September 2010.
Niamh Briggs in action for Ireland Women in the 32 – 8 win against Scotland at the Surrey Sports Park, Guildford. Sunday 5th September 2010.
Niamh Briggs in action for Ireland Women in the 32 – 8 win against Scotland at the Surrey Sports Park, Guildford. Sunday 5th September 2010.
Niamh Briggs in action for Ireland Women in the 32 – 8 win against Scotland at the Surrey Sports Park, Guildford. Sunday 5th September 2010.
Niamh Briggs in action for Ireland Women in the 32 – 8 win against Scotland at the Surrey Sports Park, Guildford. Sunday 5th September 2010.
Niamh Briggs and Eliza Downey celebrate scoring in the 32 – 8 win against Scotland at the Surrey Sports Park, Guildford. Sunday 5th September 2010.
Niamh Briggs and Eliza Downey celebrate scoring in the 32 – 8 win against Scotland at the Surrey Sports Park, Guildford. Sunday 5th September 2010.
Niamh Briggs and Eliza Downey celebrate scoring in the 32 – 8 win against Scotland at the Surrey Sports Park, Guildford. Sunday 5th September 2010.

We caught up with Briggsy this morning, interrupting her watching the Super Rugby Aotearoa of course, and she told us;

I’m shocked and delighted!!
I was so happy to make the team of the decade, never thought I’d win the player accolade, especially when you consider the caliber of the other girls across the board!
Proud to be nominated beside Ali and Molloy and it’s brought back some brilliant memories!!
Thanks to The Front Row Union for running the poll and thanks to everyone who voted.
Niamh Briggs, Ireland Women POTD

Congratulations to Niamh from The Front Row Union and thanks to all who registered the 23,000 votes in both our polls. Personally, I’d like to thank Niamh, and all the women players for giving us some great memories over the years.

It may be a month or two yet before we are all back out on a pitch but we’ll be finishing our upgrade of the site in the next few weeks and then we’ll be turning our attention to get our print section sorted, so keep an eye out for some outstanding action images from all levels of rugby next month.

Niamh Briggs Player of the Decade