Munster In The Community | Blitzes And Player Visits Roundup

It has been a busy few weeks across the province with the Rugby Development Department hosting a number of blitzes for young players while the start of the season has also seen some player visits take place.

Earlier in the season, Iveragh Eagles RFC hosted a Family Day which saw a lot of children from throughout the South Kerry region enjoy various games and activities while they also got to meet Munster Rugby players Cian Hurley and Eoin O’Connor who were in attendance.

Iveragh Eagles, who are based in Cahersiveen, were founded in 2009 and have an active Mini and Age-Grade section. The club’s hard work is reflected in Ellie Cournane representing Munster U18 Girls during the recent Interprovincial series while Conall Cournane, Michael O’Sullivan and Jake Curran represented Munster U17s Boys this summer.

A view of the Iveragh Eagles RFC Open Day in Cahersiveen

Munster Rugby players Eoin O’Connor and Cian Hurley at the Iveragh Eagles RFC Open Day

Earlier this season, U13 players from Cork Constitution got the opportunity to train in Musgrave Park alongside Munster Rugby players Alex Kendellen and Scott Buckley.

Over 40 players took part with the two Munster Rugby players also taking part in a Q&A as they passed on some tips and advice to the players throughout the session.

Alex Kendellen and Scott Buckley in Musgrave Park with Cork Constitution U13s

A number of blitzes have taken place over the last number of weeks which provide an excellent opportunity for young players to play rugby with a strong focus on participation.

These included 1st Year Emerging School Blitzes held in Ballincollig and Tralee while an ‘A’ School blitz for 1st year students was also held in Castletroy College.

See below for a selection of images from recent blitzes and participation events.

A view of a recent 1st Year Emerging School Blitz held at Tralee RFC

A view of a recent 1st Year Emerging School Blitz held at Tralee RFC

A view of a recent 1st Year A School Blitz held in Castletroy College

A view of a recent 1st Year A School Blitz held in Castletroy College

A view of a recent 1st Year A School Blitz held in Castletroy College

A view of a recent 1st Year Emerging School Blitz held at Ballincollig RFC

On Sunday, the first Girls Mini Blitz of the season took place at Cobh Pirates RFC which saw 157 players take part across U12s, U10s and U8s.

A view of Sunday’s Mini Girls Blitz held at Cobh Pirates RFC

A view of Sunday’s Mini Girls Blitz held at Cobh Pirates RFC

A view of Sunday’s Mini Girls Blitz held at Cobh Pirates RFC

A view of Sunday’s Mini Girls Blitz held at Cobh Pirates RFC

A view of Sunday’s Mini Girls Blitz held at Cobh Pirates RFC

A view of Sunday’s Mini Girls Blitz held at Cobh Pirates RFC

A view of Sunday’s Mini Girls Blitz held at Cobh Pirates RFC

This week a number of Girls Schools X7s blitzes are taking place in Cork, Limerick and Kerry.

A view of this week’s Girls X7s event in Coonagh

A view of this week’s Girls X7s event in Coonagh

A view of this week’s Girls X7s event in Coonagh

A view of this week’s Girls X7s event in Coonagh

A view of this week’s Girls X7s event in Coonagh

A view of this week’s Girls X7s event in Coonagh

Other player visits have taken place in recent weeks including Malakai Fekitoa, Craig Casey and Tony Butler taking part in a training session with players from Quin National School at Thomond Park.

Plenty of more blitzes have taken place across the province as well including a tag rugby blitz in Limerick which saw 180 girls from schools across the province attend.