Sarah Hawkshaw Named New Ireland Captain, Succeeding Katie Mullan

Sarah Hawkshaw has been appointed as the new captain for Ireland, succeeding Katie Mullan, who resigned from the position last month. The 29-year-old Railway Union player first represented Ireland in 2019 against Chile and contributed to the team’s qualification for the Tokyo Olympics. Her collegiate career at the University of Massachusetts, spanning from 2014 to 2017, was notable, earning her All-America recognition during her last two years. Hawkshaw characterized her appointment to the role by Ireland coach Gareth Grundie as a “huge honour.” “Gareth believed in me and made that known. So it gave me a lot of comfort in accepting the role,” Hawkshaw stated. The newly appointed captain also acknowledged her predecessor, Mullan. “You could always see that she was doing the right thing for the entire group. The whole team feels reflected through her and I will be able to ask her advice and have her example of what went before.” Coach Grundie commented that Hawkshaw “understands the importance of fostering unity and inclusivity.” Grundie further remarked, “She has a real way of communicating with the entire squad, both the older players and the younger ones alike.”