MacNulty, (18), was announced as captain due to the withdrawal of star batter Amy Hunter through injury. She has had the opportunity to settle into the role during the team’s warm up camp in the UAE and during the official warm up games in Malaysia. Speaking today, MacNulty was able to elaborate on the feeling upon hearing she would be captaining her country at a world cup:

“It was my goal at the end of the last World Cup to be part of the leadership group for the next one - whether that was as a senior member of the squad or helping out and giving advice. So getting to the opportunity first to become vice-captain and then unfortunately with the injury of Amy, to get the role. It's a bittersweet feeling, but it was super exciting.”

How she likes to approach captaincy:

“I am always looking at the whole picture of the team which might not necessarily be cricket knowledge or tactics. First, you want everyone to be on the same page. Second, to be happy to be competitive. You can bring that through positive encouragement which is probably the most important thing.

“But I think you know your own skills. All of that training you've had in the past will fall into place when everyone has the same idea. My style is not one thing or another but more so to adapt to situations as they arise.”

Focusing on her own performance:

“Captaincy takes your mind off your own game because you're looking at the bigger picture. As a player you can get quite bogged down about your own personal performance, but when you take a step back and realise how your personal performance might benefit the entire team as a whole - I think you actually will perform better. And you back yourself more because you have the confidence of your team backing you in turn.”

Goals within the playing group:

“About a year ago we said we wanted to get to a quarterfinal - so it's not just winning one group game, it's winning as many as we can and getting as close to the top of the group. We came out of the last world cup knowing that we probably could have won another game. After coming third in the group last time, this time around we are aiming to better that.

“We set a very high standard for ourselves and I think having that closeness in the team is really nice off the pitch as well as on the pitch because you want to be part of each other's successes. And I think that's what makes you kind of love the sport a bit more, when you have a brilliant and close-knit team behind you.”

Squad:
Niamh MacNulty (Merrion) captain, Ally Boucher (Merrion), Abbi Harrison (Waringstown), Jennifer Jackson (Eglinton), Rebecca Lowe (Lisburn), Lara McBride (The Hills), Kia McCartney (Coleraine), Ellie McGee (Rush), Julie McNally (Clontarf), Genevieve Morrissey (Clontarf), Lucy Neely (Fox Lodge), Freya Sargent (Clontarf) vice-captain, Millie Spence (Bready), Annabel Squires (Merrion), Alice Walsh (Clontarf). 

Coaching and support staff: Glenn Querl (Head Coach), James Cameron-Dow (Assistant Coach), Nigel Jones (Team Manager), Stuart Thompson (Strength & Conditioning), Julia Webster (Physiotherapist), Alison White (Team Doctor). 

Where to watch (Ireland/UK):
18 January 2025: Ireland U19s Women v England U19s Women (2.30am) – Sky Sports Main Event 401
20 January 2025: Ireland U19s Women v USA U19s Women (2.30am) – Sky Sports+ 416
22 January 2025: Ireland U19s Women v Pakistan U19s Women (6.30am) – Sky Sports+ 416