Edel McMahon on the attack during her World Cup debut for Ireland at the age of 31
BY RICHARD BULLICK
PROUD skipper Edel McMahon savoured her team’s convincing victory as Ireland marked their long-awaited return to the World Cup after an eight-year absence by serving up their Sunday best in a record-breaking 42-14 win against Japan in Northampton.
McMahon was justifiably proud of Ireland’s display but now wants Scott Bemand’s ambitious side, who are ranked fifth in the world, to keep pushing on, starting with a win this Sunday over Spain which would book their place in the knockout stages.
A second consecutive victory at the same time and same place, (12 noon back in Northampton) would be enough to guarantee Ireland a ticket to the last eight before travelling to Brighton for their final fixture in Pool C against defending champions New Zealand the following weekend.
Half a dozen different players ran in tries against Japan, all of them converted by 21-year-old outhalf Dannah O’Brien, as Ireland secured a bonus-point before the interval at Franklin’s Gardens and went on to post their biggest ever score in a World Cup match.
After failing to qualify for the last tournament, Ireland have hit the ground running at England 2025 with this win, which featured a Player of the Match performance from Ulster No 8 Brittany Hogan and a dazzling display by classy centre Eve Higgins.
Exeter Chiefs flanker McMahon fulfilled a long-held ambition by taking to the field in the World Cup for the first time at the age of 31 and after a summer blighted by a niggling injury which kept her out of warm-up matches earlier this month.
None of last Sunday’s starting team have been to a World Cup before and only her clubmate Cliodhna Moloney-McDonald out of Bemand’s squad of 32, but McMahon was delighted with how this largely youthful team handled the new experience and such a big occasion.
“There was a real nice calm, cool, collected energy this morning. We went out for a walk-through and the buzz was good. This is a first World Cup game for all of the squad, bar one, but it didn’t not feel like it,” she said in her post-match television interview.
“The calmness and coolness of the youngsters, the 21-year-olds, the Dannahs (Dannah O’Brien) and the Daltos (Aoife Dalton) – like, they took this in their stride, and to be in an environment where you know girls are ready to go is very empowering.
“This first game, we’ve been itching for it for quite a while, and when you prep so long you just want to put your best foot out there. The girls did brilliantly today, it’s a great start for us and just nice to hit the ground running.
“There were some nerves coming into it, but nerves of excitement. There can be nerves because you’re excited and ready to go or nerves because you’re not prepared, but we surely were prepared and it felt like everything was falling into place out there.
“When we encountered the purple patch from Japan, we stayed composed. I know we leaked a try or two there, but we problem-solved our way out of that and then we kept the score ticking over.”
Sam Monaghan flanked by fellow Ireland co-captain Edel McMahon and her dad
Ireland had gone 14 points down in both warm-up matches against Scotland and Canada but the boot was on the other foot here as McMahon’s women were 14 up after 10 minutes at a sold-out Franklin’s Gardens, much to the skipper’s satisfaction.
“That was definitely the fix for us from those last two games, getting off to that fast start, so it’s a confidence boost to say that, when we go after something, we can deliver as shown by how we performed in the first 20 minutes of that game.”
It was a relief for McMahon being back in action after sitting out those Scotland and Canada clashes and, not only did she appear to come through unscathed, but lasted the full game rather than being replaced perhaps an hour in.
“It was unfortunate and disappointing not to roll out for the two warm-up matches, but I was confident that the medical staff had a plan for me. I trust in them, and I’ve been training quite a lot, but it was good to get nearly 80 minutes out there.
“I’m sure there was a couple of times I was looking at the clock and not sure what was left in the tank, but the girls made it easy for me – I just slotted back in,” insisted McMahon, who hasn’t played alongside co-captain Sam Monaghan since Ireland qualified for the World Cup.
Monaghan was sidelined all of last season due to a cruciate rupture, returning for those warm-up matches which McMahon missed, so it was great to see Ireland’s two inspirational leaders back in harness for the first time since the final fixture of the 2024 Six Nations.
“Over the past two years we’ve had girls coming in and out, it’s not just been the 23 that are on the pitch, it’s the girls who aren’t here, the girls in the stands,” reflected McMahon of an Ireland team missing the injured Dorothy Wall, Erin King, Christy Haney and Aoife Wafer.
“There’s such a huge connection between everybody in that squad so there’s full faith in whoever takes those jerseys on the day, but it’s special to line out with Sam again after what feels like a long time.
“It was amazing. I was emotional for Sam having her first game back against Scotland, just proud of her and the work she has done supporting the squad when not on the pitch, plus she’s had her setbacks through rehab.
“I think the two of us have been itching to get back on the pitch together. Obviously it was disappointing for me having to sit out the two warm-up matches so it was really special for us being out there today in the first game of the World Cup after those twists and turns.
“There was a definitely a look between me and Sam – ‘we made it, we got through’ – after that game, but we’re absolutely raring to go again now next week,” said McMahon, who acknowledges that she feels in a very privileged position.
“It’s huge. When I picked up a rugby ball, it was by pure chance, and I didn’t ever expect to play in an Irish jersey, never mind captain my country at a World Cup with one of my best friends so that’s honestly so special.
“It’s special to represent Ireland, it’s special to represent the growth of women’s rugby and to wear the green jersey and to keep pushing it on and fighting for more. It’s honestly like a badge of honour which we will keep going with.
“I suppose we’ve fallen lucky with the pool stages that we get to stay in one spot for two weeks. We’re really settled here in Northampton and the crowd was unbelievable today – there was a sea of green everywhere.
“We felt right at home but there’s plenty for us to work on from this match so we’ll really enjoy this win and get ready to go again next week against Spain,” vowed McMahon, whose training load has been carefully managed by the Ireland medical team over recent days.
Ireland co-captain Edel McMahon (left) during the pre-match anthems on Sunday
The Clare native felt that Ireland’s fast start reflected not only an emphatic fix from the two warm-up matches but also showed how well this team can address areas for improvement as they are identified.
“It was pleasing to put our stamp on this game from the off, and now we’ll take the work-ons from this game away with us, implement improvements over the coming days and then take that forward against Spain.
“It’s important to come out of the blocks quickly again after half-time. Japan got off to a fast start in the second half here with that early try, but it’s also about staying composed and managing opposition purple patches.
“Managing momentum swings is an important piece. There was one stage we made a few errors, ended up back in our 22 and didn’t exit cleanly so it’s about being clear how we get out of there, but it was a pleasing performance overall.”
Ireland had welcomed their taliswoman Wafer, who had initially remained back home to continue her rehab after knee surgery, back into the fold the evening before the Japan game, with the hope she can add to the back row resources as the World Cup progresses.
With Ulster’s Fiona Tuite, normally in the second row, having had an effective first start at blindside flanker against Japan and now Wafer joining the other five specialist loose forwards in the squad, there will be significant competition for places.
“We’ve been a very fluid back row as it is, and Fiona coming in at (number) six for her debut in the back row, we welcome with open arms as the squad needs to be able to be adapted in and out.
“There’s a good understanding between all of us, and a recognition selection comes down to a range of factors including who we’re up against, the availability of players and that can influence who is starting or on the bench or not in the 23 on a given day.
“The competition between everyone is really good and we’re always pushing each other, but once the side is picked, it’s about doing what is best for the team and really getting behind whatever players have been selected for that match,” she explained.
If Ireland reach the knockout stages and everyone is available, the trio of Hogan, Wafer and McMahon still looks like a potential first-choice combo with Grace Moore in the No 20 jersey, but Tuite’s performance at blindside was an undoubted bonus from Ireland’s opening game.
Edel McMahon was delighted with Ireland’s fast start which brought this try early on
Ireland skipper Edel McMahon was proud of her team’s opening performance against Japan
Edel McMahon (second right) jointly topped the Irish tackles chart against Japan with 17
Experienced Edel McMahon has shaken off injury this summer to fulfil her World Cup dream
A delighted Edel McMahon (third left) and her Ireland team in good spirits after the Japan game
