#MunsterStartsHere Video Series | The Cournanes

The #MunsterStartsHere video series has returned for this season and once again highlights the fantastic work that goes on behind the scenes to develop the game across the province.

The videos showcase the key roles played by clubs, schools, volunteers and development officers when ensuring the growth of age-grade structures and community programmes.

The Cournanes from South Kerry feature in our first #MunsterStartsHere video of the season.

This season’s campaign focuses on families in Munster who are involved in grassroots rugby from either a playing or volunteering point of view (or both).

The Cournanes from Caherdaniel in South Kerry are heavily involved in the sport.

Tony Cournane helped set up Iveragh Eagles RFC in Cahersiveen in 2009 while he also works as a Club and Community Rugby Officer (CCRO) in the area.

His children; Annakate, Ellie and Conall all play rugby and have or are currently playing representative rugby with Munster.

“I was always a fan of watching the game growing up,” Tony told Munster Rugby.

Tony Cournane

“We started a club in Caherciveen in the peninsula Iveragh, called Iveragh Eagles in 2009 and I would have been one of the founding members.”

All three of Tony’s children would have played Minis rugby with Iveragh Eagles before Annakate and Ellie had to travel further afield for training as there was no girls underage team in South Kerry.

Both Ellie and Annakate played rugby with Abbeyfeale in Co. Limerick which is at least a two hour drive from their home in Caherdaniel.

As Annakate describes, their parents played a huge role in ensuring they had access to rugby growing up which is something they greatly appreciate.

“None of us or a lot of people playing rugby in South Kerry wouldn’t be where they are without our Dad. He drives us to trainings. Every day of the week we’re in a different part of the county or the country.

“He’s coached a lot of us from when we were younger and I guess he taught us all we know. When we moved on to the Munster squads, he was at every single training session watching, trying to develop his own coaching skills as well so he could help us and get more people from South Kerry up to that level as well.”

Ellie is equally appreciative of the sacrifice that their parents have made in getting them to training in different parts of the province over the years.

“Everyone (in our family) is involved in rugby,” Ellie said.

Ellie Cournane in action for Munster U18 Girls during the Interpros in September. ©INPHO

“I don’t know what we would be doing without it. My sister and my brother are involved in Munster and my Dad as well. Then my Mom does all the coordinating for trainings and how to get us where. Our lives literally revolve around rugby.”

Ellie continued:

“He has driven us to all sorts of trainings, whether its club trainings that are two hours away or Munster that would be just the same. The dedication he has shown to get us to each place is massive. Rugby in South Kerry and the rugby in our family wouldn’t be where it is without him because he has just done so much for the game, so I’m really grateful for that.”

Conall, who is currently training with the Munster U17s Development squad, knows that volunteerism is hugely important in helping young players get to where they want to be.

“It’s not always about yourself as well,” Conall said.

“They give up a lot of their time to help us succeed in our goals.”

Conall Cournane

There is no doubt that rugby plays a huge role in the Cournane family but for the children, it’s not just the on-pitch activity which they enjoy. The friendships they have made, the self-confidence and self-esteem gained from playing the sport over the years are all major positives to be gained as Ellie explains.

“It has done everything for me,” Ellie said.

“It has brought me places that I never would have gone without it. It has made me so many friends, it has raised my self-esteem and if you’re ever stressed you can go out on the rugby pitch and just go somewhere else for another bit and just forget about all your problems and just play with your friends on the pitch. It’s just unreal. It’s a massive stress-reliever.”

In terms of what they get out of the sport off the field, Tony explains that his family understand the ethos of the game and its values.

“We get the ethos of it. We like the discipline, we like the camaraderie. The friends they make all over Ireland really because they know people from Leinster, Ulster and Connacht.”

In terms of the sacrifices that Tony and his wife Noirin have made over the years, the enjoyment that the kids get out of it and what the sport has given them in terms of experiences both on and off the pitch makes it all worth it.

“What do I say? It’s our refuge! If you’re going anywhere, you’re driving over an hour before you hit any kind of decent road. They want to go. Myself and my wife Noirin are quite happy to bring them. We’ve had some excellent days out. What do I say?

“When you have three that are able to achieve wearing the red jersey, that’s massive, that’s massive. When they’re winning games for Munster or even running out in Thomond Park or Musgrave Park or whatever it is, it’s some feeling.”

#MunsterStartsHere Video Series | The Cournanes