Irish Clubs v English Counties In Temple Hill

On the 8th of February the Irish Clubs play the English Counties in Temple Hill as part of the annual 6 Nations Ireland/England weekend fixture.

This is the first time the Irish Clubs will be leaving the capital and Cork Constitution has been asked to host the game, which is an honour for the club who have also been given the Munster A v Plymouth fixture this weekend.

The game has been given to Cork Con as part of the clubs progressive development strategy who at the start of this season opened a new club house and a new development in player facilities.

"The club during the past number of years have been focused on community engagement and family attraction, and been afforded the opportunity to use Temple Hill for these type of fixtures reinforced the developmental strategies that are now evident in the club", commented Finian O’Driscoll, President of Cork Con.

"It’s been many years since Ireland played an international in Cork and considering the number of players from Cork that have represented Ireland at all grades, it’s long overdue."

Conor Twomey last years Senior Coach of UCC has been given the honour to coach the Irish Club Team for the second year running and he feels the Irish side that is represented by 14 clubs in the extended 35 are well equipped to win both matches this season, the first being in Cork on the 8th of February against the English Counties.

According to Conor "this game is an important fixture in the amateur calendar and it’s an opportunity for the club game to showcase the best players in the AIL, which is a league that is producing fantastic rugby week after week."

Conor has 13 players from Munster in his extended squad, as follows: Mullane Richie (Shannon), Melbourne Neville (Young Munster), O'Neill Dara (Young Munster), Hurley Gerry (Cork Con), Slater Brian (Dolphin), Walsh Fergal (Shannon RFC), Kelly Ed (UL Bohemians), Griffin Kevin (Shannon RFC), Slattery Ger (Young Munster), Ahern Cian (Lansdowne), Cronin Sam (Clontarf RFC), Cogan Frank (Clontarf RFC), Ryan Evan (Clontarf RFC).

Before the professional era the Irish Team was selected from the AIL for the 6 Nations and it’s an ideal opportunity for the rugby supporter that turns up to support Munster in Musgrave Park on a regular basis to do likewise for the Irish Clubs on the 8th February.

"It is also an opportunity for the club player to represent Ireland in an International fixture and they deserve the support of the Munster rugby supporters."

Cork Con want to encourage as many of the rugby supporting community to come along, it is reasonably priced at 10 euro for an adult, 5 euro for child or 20 euro for family of 4.

"It’s an ideal opportunity for families to make it an evening to watch International Rugby in a safe environment, in addition to showing the IRFU Cork can be an ideal location for the Irish Clubs fixture for years to come", commented Tony O’Connor, Communications Group Cork Con.

"We expect a great crowd and Conor Twomey will have a quality side on view to represent their club, province and country and they need support."