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A Tribute to Sue Moloney
The Sue Moloney Memorial Cup Game: 14th May
2006
Harlequin Ladies & Old Girls 40 – Hampstead Ladies 15
On a Summer’s evening in 1998, I arrived at the Stoop
Memorial Ground for the first time, and looked out on the old training pitch. A
group of girls were milling around, but there was no sign of the two girls who
had invited me down: Invited me to become a Harlequin Lady.
There was a taller girl who seemed quite friendly, and
looked as though she knew what she was doing, so it was her that I approached
and introduced myself to. She made me feel very welcome, introduced me to the
coach, and explained anything I was unsure of. This girl looked after me, not
just in my first training session, for a sport I had never tried before, but
throughout my first season.
She was my first captain, and she made me feel safe. She
promised that when I took the ball into contact, all I had to do was go to
ground, present the ball and cover my head, then my team mates would be there to
support me. She gave me great confidence and she always made a point of looking
out for new people and really helping them become part of the team. That girl
was Sue Moloney.
As well as being 2nd XV Captain, Sue was also
instrumental in setting up the Harlequin Ladies Youth Team. Many of today’s
senior players, as well as several emerging international players, played their
first rugby for our youth team.
It was a great shock when Sue died from meningitis in 2000,
but each year we remember her, and her commitment to ladies’ rugby, through the
memorial cup game. This year was no exception, and last Sunday saw the Harlequin
Ladies join force with the old girls to play against Hampstead. In my last game
as 1st XV Captain, I asked the team to play in the way that Sue
always had; to play for each other, look after each other and to really enjoy
their rugby. The team did both myself and Sue proud, playing some of their best
free-flowing rugby of the season, and running in eight trys.
I would like to say a special thank you to the Hampstead
Ladies, for making themselves available at the end of a very busy season, and
for playing such a positive and clean game. Their team spirit added greatly to
our special day, and we look forward to playing them again next season.
Finally, great thanks to the Prince Albert Pub in Whitton,
for their generous hospitality, to Twickenham RFC and our superb match
officials, and to Sue’s family and friends for making the day a great success.
Jo Everett
1st XV Captain 2005-06
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Author: Charlie Meek (nee Denton)
Date: 02-08-06 10:41
What can i say - everytime i read something about Sue the hairs stick up on my arms. I played alongside her for all the years she was on the team, having joined the team mayself when it first started up in 1995 (now showing my age!).
Always remember her fondly as a girl who would do anything for anybody and nothing was too much trouble. She had the perfect temprement for the youth team and it's a testament to her memory that the club is going from strength to stregnth and that her memeory will never go.
I played in one of the later HOGS games being on the winning side - can't remember the year and it was a fantastic day with so many of us OLD GIRLS turning up. I was bricking it that day to start off with as i couldn't find my gum sheild, had no boots (never thought i'd play again) but i have to say i'm so pleased that i took part - i hope that Sue was proud. I couldn't take part this year as i'm pregnant again but always think of her at that time of year.
Keep up the good work ladies as i'll never forget my time playing and have made some life long friends because of it.
Charlie xxx aka Gothic Spice (those were the days!)
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Author: Kate S
Date: 02-08-06 10:58
Same here Charlie. Sue always said that after coaching me, she wanted to play with me in the 2nd row. I'm gutted that we never got the chance.
How long till your new little one pops out now?!
x
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Author: Mel A
Date: 04-09-08 22:55
And probably still playing and trying to get me to ruck the 'moloney' way... :-)
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