Nora Stapleton

{{infobox rugby biography

| birth_name = Nora Stapleton

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|7|5|df=y}}

| birth_place = County Donegal, Ireland

| height = 1.72 m

| weight = 69 kg

| university = University College Dublin

| ru_position = Flyhalf / Out-half

| ru_clubyears = 2007–
2017–

| ru_proclubs = Old Belvedere
Barbarians

| ru_clubcaps =

| ru_clubpoints =

| ru_clubupdate =

| ru_provinceyears1 = 2009–

| ru_province1 = Leinster

| ru_provinceapps1 =

| ru_provincepoints1 =

| ru_nationalyears = 2010–2017

| ru_nationalteam = {{ruw|Ireland}}

| ru_nationalcaps = 50

| ru_nationalpoints =

}}

Nora Stapleton is a former Ireland women's rugby union international. Stapleton represented Ireland at the 2010, 2014 and 2017 Women's Rugby World Cups. She was also a member of the Ireland teams that won the 2013 and 2015 Women's Six Nations Championships. Stapleton was a member of the first Ireland teams to defeat both {{nwrut|England}} and {{nwrut|New Zealand}}. Stapleton has also played two other football codes at a senior level. As a women's association football player, she played for UCD in FAI Women's Cup finals and UEFA Women's Cup campaigns. She has also played senior ladies' Gaelic football for {{GG|Donegal|ladies' football}}.

Early years and education

Stapleton grew up in Fahan, near Buncrana, in Inishowen, County Donegal.{{cite web|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2017/08/31/nora-stapleton-a-decade-in-rugby-and-a-half-century-in-the-irish-green/|title=Nora Stapleton: A decade in rugby and a half-century in the Irish green|publisher=www.donegaldaily.com|accessdate=16 June 2018|date=31 August 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://donegalnews.com/2014/08/nora-stapleton-from-a-craic-game-of-tag-rugby-to-a-famous-world-cup-win-over-new-zealand/|title=Nora Stapleton: From a 'craic' game of tag rugby to a famous World Cup win over New Zealand|publisher=donegalnews.com|accessdate=21 September 2014|date=8 August 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/nora-stapleton-irelands-outspoken-out-half-456597.html|title=Nora Stapleton: Ireland's outspoken out-half|publisher=www.irishexaminer.com|accessdate=16 June 2018|date=9 August 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/more-sport/women-s-rugby-world-cup-ireland-s-nora-stapleton-believes-women-s-rugby-is-on-the-up-1-7888782|title=Ireland's Nora Stapleton believes Women's Rugby is on the up|publisher=www.derryjournal.com|accessdate=16 June 2018|date=28 March 2017}} She was educated at St Mura's NS in Tooban and Crana College in Buncrana.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/nora-stapleton-on-all-ireland-glory-with-donegal-and-irish-grand-slams-10296|title= Nora Stapleton on All-Ireland Glory with Donegal and Irish Grand Slams|publisher= www.sportsjoe.ie|accessdate= 30 August 2020|date=4 November 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.inishowennews.com/06Sports02106.htm|title=Nora answers Ireland's call|publisher= www.inishowennews.com |accessdate= 11 February 2010|date=4 June 2017}} Between 2001 and 2004 Stapleton attended University College Dublin where she gained a BSc. She studied sports management, financial management, leisure management, theory of coaching, physiology and organisational management.{{cite web|url=https://ie.linkedin.com/in/nora-stapleton-0130b843|title=Nora Stapleton|publisher=ie.linkedin.com|accessdate=16 June 2018|date= }}{{cite web|url=http://www.the42.ie/nora-stapleton-interview-3417236-Jun2017/|title=From 'girls not allowed' play to international star, with Croke Park glory over Ireland teammate in between|publisher=www.the42.ie|accessdate=16 June 2018|date=4 June 2017}}

Association football

Stapleton attended UCD on a soccer scholarship and played as a defender for the women's football team.{{cite web|url=https://www.ucd.ie/t4cms/UCD%20Connections%202003-2004.pdf|title=2004 UCD Connections Mag - University College Dublin|publisher=www.ucd.ie|accessdate=17 June 2018|date= }} Together with Sylvia Gee, Mary Waldron and Caroline Thorpe, she was a prominent member of the UCD team that won three successive FAI Women's Cup finals between 2002 and 2004.{{cite web |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/ucd-pass-cup-test-once-again-1.369201|title=UCD pass Cup test once again|publisher=www.irishtimes.com|accessdate=6 June 2018|date=11 August 2003}}{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/kissane-double-sees-off-lifford-25934276.html|title=Kissane double sees off Lifford|publisher=www.independent.ie|accessdate=6 June 2018|date=11 August 2003}}{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/D0410126/|title=UCD v Dundalk Photos|publisher=www.sportsfile.com|accessdate=11 June 2018|date=24 October 2004}} After winning the FAI Women's Cup, UCD qualified for the UEFA Women's Cup and Stapleton subsequently played in their 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06 campaigns.{{cite web|url=https://foot.ie/threads/27069-Uefa-Womens-Cup/page3?styleid=6|title=Ucd Womens Team Uefa Womens Cup Stats|publisher=foot.ie|accessdate=15 June 2018|date=15 August 2005}} She also helped UCD complete a four-in-a-row of Dublin Women's Soccer League titles between 2003 and 2006.{{cite web|url=https://foot.ie/threads/24661-Current-squad-Statistics/page5?styleid=6|title=Current squad Statistics|publisher=foot.ie|accessdate=22 October 2005|date=17 June 2018}}

Ladies' Gaelic football

{{Infobox Gaelic games player

| image =

| name = Nora Stapleton

| irish =

| nickname =

| occupation =

| birth_date =

| birth_place =

| height =

| sport = Ladies' Gaelic football

| code = Ladies' football

| county = Donegal

| province =

| club = Naomh Padraig (Muff)
UCD
Na Fianna

| clyears = 199x–
2001–2004
200x–

| position = Midfielder

| clapps(points) =

| clcounty =

| clprovince =

| clallireland =

| counties = {{GG|Donegal|ladies' football}}

| icyears = 200x–201x

| icposition = Midfielder

| icapps(points) =

| icprovince =

| icallireland =

| nfl =

| allstars =

| clupdate =

| icupdate =

}}

=Clubs=

Stapleton played ladies' Gaelic football at club level for Naomh Padraig, UCD and Na Fianna.{{cite web|url=http://ladiesgaelic.ie/nora-stapleton-is-player-of-the-month/|title=Nora Stapleton is Player of the Month|publisher=ladiesgaelic.ie|accessdate=16 June 2018|date=9 July 2008}}

=Inter-County=

Stapleton played for {{GG|Donegal|ladies' football}} at senior inter-county level. In June 2008 she was named Player of the Month after helping Donegal defeat {{GG|Armagh|ladies' football}}, the reigning champions, in the first round of the Ulster Senior Ladies' Football Championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.derryjournal.com/news/buncrana-s-nora-is-gaa-player-of-the-month-1-2127639|title=Buncrana's Nora is GAA player of the month|publisher=www.derryjournal.com|accessdate=18 June 2018|date=10 July 2008}}{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/PS080719/|title=Irish Independent / Lucozade Sport Ladies Player of the Month Award for June Photos|publisher=www.sportsfile.com|accessdate=17 June 2018|date=8 July 2008}} On 26 September 2010, Stapleton helped Donegal win the 2010 All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies' Football Championship. In the final Donegal played a {{GG|Waterford|ladies' football}} team that included Stapleton's Ireland women's rugby union international teammate, Niamh Briggs.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/10090260/5000/|title=Donegal v Waterford - TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies Football Championship Final Photos|publisher=www.sportsfile.com|accessdate=17 June 2018|date=26 September 2010}}{{cite web|url=https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/our-12-leinster-girls-in-green-nora-stapleton/|title=Our 12 Leinster Girls in Green: Nora Stapleton|publisher=www.leinsterrugby.ie|accessdate=15 June 2018|date=31 July 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/nora-stapleton-on-all-ireland-glory-with-donegal-and-irish-grand-slams-10296|title=Nora Stapleton on All-Ireland glory with Donegal and Irish Grand Slams|publisher=www.sportsjoe.ie|accessdate=16 June 2018|date= }}{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2017/0811/896679-the-ireland-world-cup-stars-made-in-the-gaa/|title=World Cup hopes built on Gaelic football foundations|publisher=www.rte.ie|accessdate=16 June 2018|date=11 August 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://ladiesgaelic.ie/former-ladies-footballers-fuel-irish-rugbys-bid-world-rugby-glory/|title=Former Ladies Footballers Fuel Irish Rugby's Bid for World Rugby Glory|publisher=ladiesgaelic.ie|accessdate=16 June 2018|date=9 August 2017}}

Between 2007 and 2013 Stapleton also worked for Ballinteer St John's GAA/Dublin GAA as a Gaelic games promotional officer.

Rugby union

=Old Belvedere=

Stapleton did not start playing women's rugby union until she was 24. She was working for the Bank of Ireland in Dublin in 2007 when she was invited to play in a tag rugby social event. This subsequently led to an invitation to try out for Old Belvedere. Stapleton was a member of Old Belvedere women's team that won three consecutive All Ireland Division One titles between 2013 and 2015. Stapleton captained the team in the 2015 final and scored nine points, a try and two conversations, as Old Belvedere defeated UL Bohemians 19–17 at Donnybrook Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.highlandradio.com/2015/12/13/nora-stapleton-leads-old-belvedere-to-another-all-ireland-success/|title=Nora Stapleton leads Old Belvedere to another All Ireland success|publisher=www.highlandradio.com|accessdate=17 June 2018|date=13 December 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/stapleton-and-hayes-relishing-rugby-once-again-after-quitting-ireland-1.3466235|title=Stapleton and Hayes relishing rugby once again after quitting Ireland|publisher=www.irishtimes.com|accessdate=17 June 2018|date=19 April 2018}}

=Leinster=

Stapleton has played for Leinster in the IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series. She was first called up to the Leinster squad in 2009.

{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1212056/|title=Leinster v Ulster - Women's Interprovincial Photos|publisher=www.sportsfile.com|accessdate=18 June 2018|date=8 December 2012}}{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1312043/5000/|title=Leinster v Connacht - Women's Interprovincial Photos|publisher=www.sportsfile.com|accessdate=18 June 2018|date=7 December 2013}}

=Barbarians=

On 10 November 2017 Stapleton came on as a replacement for the Barbarians against Munster in the invitational team's first women's match. Stapleton provided the assist for Georgina Roberts to score the crucial third try as the Barbarians won 19–0.{{cite web|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2017/11/01/nora-stapleton-named-on-first-ever-womens-barbarians-squad/|title=Nora Stapleton named on first-ever Women's Barbarians squad|publisher=www.donegaldaily.com|accessdate=17 June 2018|date=1 November 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/barbarians-women-s-team-shine-on-debut-in-limerick-1.3287555|title=Barbarians women's team shine on debut in Limerick|publisher=www.irishtimes.com|accessdate=17 June 2018|date=10 November 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/munster-rugby/memorable-first-win-for-baabaas-36309529.html|title=Memorable first win for Baa-Baas|publisher=www.independent.ie|accessdate=17 June 2018|date=11 November 2017}}

In March 2018 Stapleton also played for the Barbarians against a British Army XV.

{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/41568.php#.WyZ___ZFxy0|title=Irish Quartet Selected For Barbarians Women's Clash With Army|publisher=www.irishrugby.ie|accessdate=17 June 2018|date=9 March 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.forces.net/sport/defeat-british-army-women-historic-barbarians-clash|title=Defeat For British Army Women In Historic Barbarians Clash|publisher=www.forces.net|accessdate=17 June 2018|date=19 March 2018}}

=Ireland international=

Between 2010 and 2017 Stapleton made 50 appearances for Ireland. She made her debut for Ireland against Italy on 5 February 2010. Stapleton represented Ireland at the 2010, 2014 and 2017 Women's Rugby World Cups. At the 2014 tournament she was a member of the Ireland team that defeated New Zealand. She was also a member of the Ireland teams that won the 2013 and 2015 Women's Six Nations Championships. During the 2013 championship Stapleton was a member of the first Ireland team to defeat England. On 26 August 2017 Stapleton made her 50th and final appearance for Ireland against Wales during 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/women/1906.php|title=Miller hat-trick hands Ireland historic win over England|publisher=www.sixnationsrugby.com|accessdate=1 March 2018|date=9 February 2013|archive-date=22 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722010849/https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/women/1906.php|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.the42.ie/nora-stapleton-retires-3571488-Aug2017/|title=Nora Stapleton the latest player to wave goodbye after illustrious Irish rugby career|publisher=www.the42.ie|accessdate=16 June 2018|date=29 August 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/41095737|title=Nora Stapleton among Ireland women retirements after World Cup|publisher=www.bbc.co.uk|accessdate=16 June 2018|date=30 August 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://inishowenindo.ie/2014/08/fahans-nora-stapleton-top-world-defeating-blacks/|title=Fahan's Nora Stapleton on top of world after defeating All-Blacks|publisher=inishowenindo.ie|accessdate=17 June 2018|date=7 August 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/womens-rugby-world-cup/nora-stapleton-set-to-earn-50th-cap-as-tom-tierney-names-ireland-team-to-play-wales-36068950.html|title=Nora Stapleton set to earn 50th cap as Tom Tierney names Ireland team to play Wales|publisher=www.independent.ie|accessdate=16 June 2018|date=25 August 2017}} Since 2013 Stapleton has also worked for the IRFU as a women and girls development manager.{{cite web|url=http://www.highlandradio.com/2016/05/21/nora-stapleton-says-theres-promising-growth-for-girls-in-rugby/|title=Nora Stapleton says there's promising growth for girls in rugby|publisher=www.highlandradio.com|accessdate=17 June 2018|date=21 May 2016}}

Honours

=Rugby union=

;Ireland

Women's Six Nations Championship
Winners: 2013, 2015: 2
Grand Slam
Winners: 2013
Triple Crown
Winners: 2013, 2015

;Leinster

IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series
Winners: 2013, 2016: 2

;Old Belvedere

All Ireland Division One
Winners: 2013, 2014, 2015 : 3

;Individual

Women's All Ireland Player’s Player of the Year Award
2018{{cite web|url=https://thefrontrowunion.com/2018/04/stapleton-picks-up-womens-all-ireland-players-player-of-the-year-award/|title=Stapleton Picks Up Women's All Ireland Player's Player of the Year Award|publisher=thefrontrowunion.com|accessdate=17 June 2018|date=23 April 2018}}