Captain Fox overcomes back-to-back ACL injuries to lead team to All-Ireland final
Tuam/Oughterard Colts' Sarah-Jane Fox makes a line break with UL Bohemians' defenders in pursuit. Picture: Owen Nally Photography
Overcoming adversity and injuries can be very taxing both mentally and physically, but when you triumph, it makes victory all the sweeter.
Sarah-Jane Fox captained Tuam/Oughterard Colts RFC as they became the first team from Connacht to reach the Energia Women’s All-Ireland Junior Cup final. Fox, who is usually a back, started as hooker for the first time ever, as the Tuam/Oughterard Colts beat UL Bohemians at Garraun Park, Tuam RFC, on Saturday.
“We came out here today to play our best rugby and I don’t think the girls realised that we had that in us, and I’m really trying not cry because it means so much to the girls!” Sarah-Jane told the
It’s been a tough road to get to this point for Sarah-Jane as after becoming one of the youngest players to make a cap for the Connacht senior women’s team, the Claretuam woman was constantly knocked back from injuries.
In May 2019, she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left leg while in action for the Corofin ladies team against Maigh Cuilinn. It was a long road with rehabilitation, but just as she made her comeback, she ruptured her ACL on her right leg in July 2020. With two ACLs ruptured in the space of 14 months, it was going to be a long road to even back running, never mind playing rugby.
But fast forward three years, and Fox is now going to leading her side out against MU Barnhall in an All-Ireland final.
“It was a very tough road, I was out for a couple of years with both my ACLs, but you come back to a team that’s full of life and passion for the game and that pushes me on. I play better because I play with the girls that I play with. They make me a better player.”
Fox captained Tuam/Oughterard Colts to a Connacht Senior Women’s League title last March, she will be hoping to be on the winning podium again in a few weeks’ time.
