Moydrum’s Anna McGann found new spark in her biggest challenge
By Rebekah O'Reilly
Moydrum native Anna McGann was dealt an unexpected card when an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury left her out of action for a number of months some 18 months ago.
Having grown up in Athlone, and attended school in the Our Lady's Bower, Anna started her rugby career in Buccaneers. She was drafted into the Ireland women's rugby sevens squad in March, 2023.
After suffering the injury at the Rugby Europe event in the Algarve in June 2023, she found a new spark of inspiration that led to the creation of her jewellery business, Chaos The Label.
“Rugby was always my number one priority,” Anna said, “I took the plunge to start my business when I tore my ACL, because it felt like the right time to give my attention to something outside of sport.”
The Ireland Rugby Sevens star has spent the best part of 18 months trying to get back to full fitness after her injury. Through it all, her jewellery line acted as a sort of crutch for Anna, offering an alternative focus in one of her most challenging times.
Some may wonder how the delicate world of jewellery design came into play with the hustle of a full-time rugby career, but it was an obvious choice for Anna.
“It's a question I've gotten a lot! There isn't really much of a crossover between rugby and jewellery, but I've always been creative since I was young.
“I always wanted to start a business, and I was lucky enough to have a mam who was a dressmaker, and she was always interested in fashion and jewellery, so she was definitely a huge inspiration, I definitely got my creative skills from her.”
Anna described her mother, dressmaker and designer Terry McGann, as a “pillar of strength” for her family, as they faced the challenge of losing their father, Mick McGann, to cancer in August, 2023.
“We lost dad nearly two years ago, and through that she has been the one holding our family together,” Anna said. “She's an inspiration, and she offers a point of view of such strength and resilience.”
Terry and Anna's sister, Sarah, have played a vital role in the building of the jewellery line, helping Anna with everything from her business plan to the name.
“The three of us got together and they helped me with everything,” Anna said. “My sister actually inspired the name Chaos The Label. She said it has to be something that means something to me. We were talking about how chaotic my life is between rugby, and travel, and everything.
“When she used that work chaotic – I thought that's actually very relevant and it has a nice ring to it – so it kind of stuck from there.”
Anna launched her first collection with Chaos The Label in December 2024, titled the 'OG Collection', and the response has been beyond anything that the 27-year-old had ever imagined.
“I didn't know whether it would take off or whether it was going to fail, but the support I've gotten since the launch has been overwhelming.
“It's definitely been difficult, there's no doubt about that. You just have to find the hours in the day to do it, and it does make it easier that I love doing it. It's something that I'm really proud of, and to see that hard work pay off has been just unbelievable.”
Anna added: “I think when you go through something like tearing your ACL, you think it's the end of the world.
“Because I had such a good support system, I was able to pick myself back up and actually turn it into something positive. I definitely wouldn't have been able to do that without my friends and family.”
Chaos The Label is set to launch its next collection, a range of necklaces designed by Anna, in early 2025.
To shop the brand, go to: www.chaosthelabel.com/