Munster Rugby Gaming Reach Play-Offs
6th August 2020 By The Editor
Munster Rugby launched a new partnership with Phelan Gaming in April.
Munster Rugby’s first foray into the world of esports has started in successful fashion.
In partnership with Phelan Gaming, the leading Irish esports team, Munster Rugby Gaming was launched in April competing primarily in the League of Legends Championships with two teams.
The main team competes in the Northern League Championship (NLC) which is the premium League of Legends competition in the UK, Ireland and Nordic area.
With a prize pool of just under €100,000 to play for and a chance to represent the region at the pan European event – the European masters – competition has been intense.
Munster entered this season of the NLC as favourites to make the play-offs with marquee signings Nubar ‘Maxlore’ Sarafian and Aleksi ‘Hiiva’ Kaikkonen both having previously competed at the world championship.
The team’s play-off spot was secured in the past week in a close game against ‘Dusty’, the leading Icelandic team, with the remaining matches now to decide on seeding position for the play-offs which will take place later in August.
The Munster Rugby Gaming Academy team competes in the UKLC, the second tier of competition for rookie UK and Irish players below the NLC level.
Despite a roster consisting largely of players competing at semi-professional level for the first time, the side managed to fight their way into a play-off spot on the final day of the season with a record of 9 wins and 5 losses, finishing joint first.
The Academy side also qualified for the Telia Masters, a tournament for the best two teams from each of the 5 Nordic countries (Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden), and UK and Ireland as one market.
Speaking about the latest results, Ciarán Walsh of Munster Rugby Gaming, said, “We are seeing the results of a talented group of hard-working rookies supported by our experienced players showing great potential for the future.
“We are thrilled to reach the play-offs of both leagues in our first year at this level and to have secured our place in both competitions again for 2021”.
