Munster In The Community

Once again this month, Munster players and staff have been out and about lending their support to clubs and charities across the province.

CJ Stander and MRSC Photographer Ivan O’Riordan support nominated charities.
At half-time during last weekend’s Munster v Scarlets match at Thomond Park, MRSC photographer Ivan O'Riordan presented a cheque for €;5,000 to Munster Rugby’s nominated charities this season – Headway (acquired Brain Injury organisation) and CMRF (principal fundraising body of Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin).

The weekend previous Headway had a stand at the Limerick Milk Market where CJ Stander and his wife Jean-Marie called in to pledge their support to both Ivan and the charity. (Pictured above)

Ivan has done trojan work over the years with the Munster Rugby Supporters Club, selling autographed prints of his photographs from Munster games to raise money for the Munster Rugby nominated charities.

The cheque presented at Saturday’s game brings the total raised since May 2012 to over €;15,000 for a number of charities.

Munster Rugby would like to thank Ivan for his outstanding contribution to the nominated charities over the years.
 

Headway Job Shadow Day 2016
Headway client Aoife O Callaghan recently took part in the annual job shadow initiative which Headway organise in conjunction with the IASE (Irish Association of Supported Employment)

Munster Rugby was delighted to welcome Aoife to our Irish Independent Park offices and afterwards she shared her experience in her own words.

On the 27/04/2016, I participated in The Job Shadow Initiative with Munster Rugby in Musgrave Park, Cork. Before the placement I met with Claire Cooke, HR & Brand Manager who was very helpful. In advance of the job shadow day I was asked to look up their Thomond Park website and see if, as a wheelchair user, I could find information about wheelchair access easily, suggest any improvements on wheelchair facilities and any questions that I couldn’t find answers to, I could email them to Claire. When I got there I met with Clare Rigney, the Patron Programme Executive, to discuss all the questions and suggestions I had compiled. I felt slightly nervous that the questions I thought up might not have been enough or not what they were looking for but I went away after the day and felt like I had made difference, and could be a voice for all wheelchair users who attend sporting events. Clare responded very well to my ideas and took a lot of things that I had suggested on board. Everyone that I met were very friendly and welcoming. To start off the day, I assisted Rose at reception doing some admin work. Everybody that passed stopped and introduced themselves to me. I honestly thought that the whole day flew by and learned that doing admin work would be something I’d like to do in the future. There was a great atmosphere in Munster Rugby, both with staff and customers coming in to buy tickets. The building itself was completely wheelchair accessible and I could find everything that I was looking for easily. I would just like to thank everyone at Munster Rugby for a wonderful experience and giving me the opportunity to be a spokesperson for all wheelchair users.
 
Aoife O’Callaghan
 
 
Old Crescent Italy Tour
This weekend sees the underage players at Old Crescent RFC travel to Italy for their annual end of season tour.  Prior to departure Mark Chisholm visited the club to meet players and coaches, and join in their squad photo.

 
 
Darkness Into Light, Limerick
Cathal Sheridan and some of his UL Bohs teammates took part in Darkness Into Light, Limerick last Sunday. Starting the 5km walk/run at 4.15am, and crossing the line just as dawn was breaking, Cathal and participants did so to raise funds and awareness for Pieta House.

Some early Robins supporting #DIL2016 in Limerick this morning, well done to all involved #hope pic.twitter.com/hRObUH8pZQ

— UL Bohemian RFC (@ulbohemianrfc) May 7, 2016

St Senans RFC
Last Sunday Francis Saili, Shane Buckley and Ronan O’Mahony were on hand to make the presentations at the St Senans RFC Underage Awards in Bunratty Castle.

Munster Rugby U18 laya healthcare 10s Launch
Cian Bohane, Stephen Archer and Darren Sweetnam joined laya healthcare Marketing Manager Kevin Kent in launching the Munster Rugby Under 18 laya healthcare 10 A-side Schools Blitz which took place at Irish Independent Park on Wednesday.
 
24 schools from around the province took part and the winners on the day were:

• Coláiste Íde agus Iosef, Abbeyfeale – Girls Cup winners
• Presentation Brothers College, Cork – A Final winners
• SMI, Newcastle West – B Final winners
• St Munchin’s College, Limerick – Plate winners

New Inn Boys National School, Tipperary
Who else but proud Tipperary native Tommy O'Donnell, along with Mario Sagario, made the students' day at at New Inn Boys National School in Tipperary when they called in to talk to the kids, pose for pictures and sign autographs.