Captain, secretary, teacher, and sea swimmer: Aisling O’Connell wears many hats, writes Niamh Coughlan, all leading back to her community. As a cornerstone of the Skibbereen RFC women’s team, she has turned a passion for rugby into a lifestyle that spans leadership on the field and dedicated service off it.
Aisling grew up in Lisheen, which is about a five-minute drive from Skibbereen. “It’s a gorgeous spot that I’ve learned to appreciate more with age; the community spirit there is second-to-none. I went to school at Gaelscoil Dr. Uí Shúilleabháin – where I actually teach now. Being one of six kids meant a busy house and constant outdoor adventures with our massive circle of cousins. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better childhood.”
As a child, Aisling took part in many different extracurricular activities. “Growing up, I tried everything from ballet and music to GAA and basketball. Luckily for my parents’ eardrums, only the sports stuck! I played football for Ilen Rovers and basketball with the Skibbereen Eagles for years. I also trained as a lifeguard and water safety instructor.”
After returning to playing basketball a few years after starting university, one of Aisling’s teammates, Aoife Breen, approached her and asked if she would like to try rugby with the Skibbereen women’s team. It was going to be the first adult women’s team in the club and seemed like an exciting opportunity. “I think the fact it was a new team made starting easier, as I wasn’t worried about being the only one who didn’t have a clue what was going on. I was hooked after the first training and haven’t looked back since. It definitely took a while to grasp all the new rules but it’s an insanely enjoyable sport and one I took to quite easily.”
From the get-go, Skibbereen RFC was a welcoming, tight-knit environment. Despite having only a few training sessions under her belt, Aisling was named as a starter for their first home game. “I think I vomited with nerves before that game! It was an incredible game, so much fun and a huge amount of support from all the girls as well as our then coach – Sana Govender. Once that first game ended, I knew it was a sport and a club that I wanted to be involved in. The social side also helped things for sure.”
Skibbereen RFC is part of a dedicated rugby community in West Cork, joining the ranks of clubs like Bandon, Bantry Bay, Clonakilty, Kinsale, and Dunmanway. “We’re immensely proud of Skibbereen rugby. It’s a club built on community, family, and genuine inclusion. Our volunteers are incredible; you never have to ask twice for help with a fundraiser. The club simply wouldn’t run without the dedication of people like our groundskeeper, Paddy Hurley, and committee members like Eric Coombes, Jacinta Veale, and Paula Dinan. Between them and our top-tier coaches, there’s a constant drive to provide the best experience for every player.”
Following the initial success of the ladies’ team, members faced challenges as numbers dropped due to various factors. This subsequently led to Skibbereen ladies joining forces with Bantry Bay RFC. “Between travel, college, and our best players being scouted for All-Ireland League (AIL) clubs, our numbers dropped. For the last two seasons, however, we’ve found a new lease on life by amalgamating with Bantry Bay RFC. It’s a partnership that runs from U14s right through to the seniors, and it’s been brilliant. Combining our players, coaches, and facilities has given us a massive boost, and our underage teams are now going from strength to strength.”
A few years ago, Aisling was named captain of the ladies’ team, which was a milestone that stepped her into a vital leadership role and made her a focal point for the rest of the squad “Being named captain was a privilege, especially with a squad that showed up and gave everything. Rugby is unique because the referee primarily communicates through the captain, so I had to be incredibly dialled in. It was vital to be the voice for my teammates, whether they had concerns about early scrum pushes or high tackles, while balancing that with respect for the ref. I always strove to be approachable, making sure the girls felt heard and that their welfare was the top priority on the pitch.”
A stand-out moment came a few years back when the ladies team defied the odds to reach the All-Ireland semi-finals. “The women’s adult rugby team had exploded in the first season; within two years, we’d won every competition in sight. We were even chosen as one of two teams to represent Munster in the Junior All-Ireland. We were gutted to miss out in the semi-finals, but the experience is something I’ll never forget.”
Being captain also requires a specific skillset: maintaining a calm, level-headed demeanour and being prepared to take the hits as they come. “It can be much tougher when you’re having a hard game yourself and feeling hard done by. It’s difficult at times to remain calm and explain yourself without becoming argumentative or questioning the referee’s decision. As Captain, you must be able to calm others down even when you may feel the same way. If you’re being beaten badly and team morale is low, it can be hard to encourage others, but digging deep and leading by example is vital in those situations.”
Confidence-building was the primary leadership tool Aisling used to drive team dynamics. “In the early stages, it’s easy to feel intimidated because you’re learning so many new things like tackling, contact, positioning – it’s all completely unfamiliar. But when my coaches and teammates celebrated the small wins, created a supportive environment, and encouraged me to just give it a go, I felt like I could actually do this. I started relaxing, playing more freely, and improving way faster than I thought I could. And honestly, that’s what kept me coming back. Feeling included and capable made me want to stick with it, and over time, it’s helped me grow not just as a player, but as a person.”
As in all sports, there are highs and lows, but Aisling views the lowest points as the places where the most progress is actually made. “Honestly, tough losses are just part of rugby, especially while you’re still growing in the game. The key is not to let one bad result shake your belief. In women’s rugby, so many teams are building and learning together, so setbacks are often where the biggest progress comes from. After a loss, I try to take a bit of time to feel it, then look at what went wrong without being too hard on myself. Focusing on small positives , like an improved defence or a stronger set piece, helps turn it into motivation. Good teams lean on each other, keep the energy supportive, and remember the enjoyment of playing in the first place.”
Although quick to challenge the common perception that rugby is an inherently dangerous sport, Aisling argues that with strict officiating and proper coaching in tackling, passing, and rucking, it is no more prone to injury than any other field game.
“I really want to shift the idea that rugby is just a ‘rough sport’ where you’re bound to get hurt. Between the strict laws and the referees who enforce them, you’re no more likely to get injured here than in any other sport. It’s physical, sure, but once you’ve mastered the right techniques for rucking and tackling, that danger factor disappears. People also think you need a certain build to play, but some of our smallest girls are the ones I’d least like to be tackled by!”
Aisling’s favourite opponents are Dolphin RFC. “We have met them numerous times over the past few years and are always a tough yet kind and fun opponent. Despite ‘hammering’ each other on the pitch, both teams share a close bond, always staying social and supporting each other through injuries.”
Training has looked very different for Aisling lately. After rupturing her ACL in the final two minutes of a match in December 2024, she underwent surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation journey that kept her off the rugby pitch for nine months. “After a long road of gym work, physio, and solo runs, I was cleared to return to training in September 2025. However, following the passing of my brother Stephen that same month, I’ve taken a small break, with plans to return in the next few weeks. The support from the club and my teammates across Skibbereen and Bantry Bay has been huge through everything; I’ll be forever grateful to have that community behind me.”
Niamh Quinn, the athletic therapist working with the team this year, has been instrumental in the injury recovery process. “We’ve all learned a huge amount from Niamh, and it’s clearly reflected in our lower injury rate this season. Rugby is incredibly physical, so the real work of recovery is proactive. It’s all about injury prevention, peak fitness, and maintaining the right mindset.”
Even with a busy professional life, Aisling maintains a dedicated routine that balances training with active recovery. A cornerstone of her day is her commitment to a daily sea swim. Her day begins at 6:15am with a dog walk and a quick dip in the sea – a non-negotiable ritual before she heads to work at 8am. She works as a primary school teacher, teaching first and second class at Gaelscoil Dr. Uí Shúilleabháin, and two years ago, Aisling stepped into the role of Club Secretary for Skibbereen RFC.
“I’m very lucky to be part of a school that is so inclusive and gives children opportunities they often aren’t granted. A few of my students actually started rugby through the IRFU ‘Give It A Try’ sessions I ran at the club, and they’ve been hooked ever since. Between those programmes and the work Skibbereen RFC and Munster Rugby do by sending coaches into the schools, it’s a brilliant way to encourage the next generation to get involved.”
After a productive workday and a quick caffeine stop, she shifts back into athlete mode for an afternoon gym session or run. “Evenings are dedicated to school prep and rugby administration, and I use saunas regularly for recovery. As well as that, no matter how sore I am the day after a game, I ensure I get out for a walk and do some stretching to keep moving. And I always take the dog out for another walk before bed!”
When she isn’t training, Aisling is an avid reader. “I spend much of my free time browsing the shelves at Worm Books in Schull or sitting by the shore. I believe beaches are a year-round joy, not just for the summer months.” Beyond her books, she cherishes time with family, coffee dates with friends, and exploring the landscape of West Cork. “We are incredibly lucky to live where we do, and it’s something I’ll never take for granted.
“A dream day for me has to be a sunny, (unusually) quiet summer’s day in Schull. I’d start early with the sunrise, a dog walk, and a swim, then just sit on the strand reading in the sun. I’d head over to Budds of Ballydehob for coffee with a friend and catch up with family at home. To finish, I’d go back to the beach for another dip and a BBQ for dinner. Being in bed by 10pm after all that? The dream!”
Looking ahead to the rest of 2026, Aisling’s primary focus is her much-anticipated return to competitive rugby. “I can’t wait to get back to competitive rugby. When you’re used to training two or three times a week with a match every Sunday, losing that routine is a huge life change. Being back on the pitch made me realise how much I rely on the sport for my mental well-being; the ‘buzz’ you get after a session or a game is something you just can’t find anywhere else.”
