Emily Foley captained a group from the Galwegians Women’s squad represented Connacht in the recent Uni 7s interprovincial series. Connacht were victorious, with Emily and Sophie Cullen were honoured in the Team of the Tournament.
We caught up with Emily for a quick chat.
This tournament is becoming a real stepping stone to the national setup. Do you feel like it’s opening doors for players like yourself?
Absolutely, this tournament is a great platform. It gives us the chance to test ourselves against top talent and get noticed by national coaches. It’s a huge opportunity for us players, definitely a stepping stone.
What were some of the standout moments for you and your teammates throughout the four rounds?
One of the biggest highlights for us was going to each province and managing to get a win on their home turf against them. Then to finish it off by winning the title at home in Galway made all the hard work worth it.
Looking back at the whole series, what do you think clicked for your team that helped you go all the way?
Looking back, I think what really clicked for us was the work we put in training. We pushed each other every week and had a good bond that showed on the pitch.
How did it feel to captain the team through such a competitive series—and what did the role teach you along the way?
It was an honour to captain the team. With the level of talent and leadership we had across the squad it made it very easy. Everyone stepped up when it mattered. The role taught be about communication and driving standards on the pitch.
Sophie Cullen and yourself were named in the Team of the Tournament. How did that feel, and what does that recognition mean to you personally?
It was a great feeling to be named on the team of the tournament alongside Sophie. It means a lot personally knowing how much work went in throughout the series, but it reflects on the team as a whole. We pushed each other everyday and I’m really proud to be part of it.
