Rugby Development Round-Up

It has been a busy few months for the Rugby Development department with a number of different blitzes and workshops taking place throughout the province.

In the last month, there have been nine Emerging School Blitzes held with Finals Days also taking place in Cork and Limerick. Two ‘A’ School Blitz days have taken place in addition to three Girls Development Days and two National School Blitz Days.

A Prime Rugby Coaching Course was also held in MTU Cork.

For many of the blitzes which took place throughout the province, Athletic Development Staff were also in attendance to conduct workshops.

Below is a snapshot of some of the events which have taken place throughout the province over the past few months:

Some of the larger events which took place in the last few weeks included a Girls Schools Provincial Sevens Open Day held in Rockwell College, the Junior Supporters Club Easter Camp and the Emerging Schools 1st Year/U14 Finals day held in Thomond Park.

The Girls Schools Provincial Sevens open day saw 350 players attend from schools all across the province. More info here.

A view of the Girls Schools Provincial Sevens open day held in Rockwell College last week.

The Finals day at Thomond Park had 15 schools attending; Newport College, CBS Nenagh, Salesian Pallaskenry, Villiers, Abbey CBS, Thomond CC, Scoil Mhuire agus Ide Newcastle West, Scoil Pol Kilfinane, Cashel CC, Colaiste Mhuire Thurles, Ennis CC, St. Clements, Ardscoil na Mara, Thurles CSB and St. Anne’s Community College.

Brian Gleeson, who featured for the Ireland U20s this season, and Munster Rugby Academy back-row Ruadhan Quinn were in attendance as they spoke with the players, signed autographs and took pictures.

Each school was guaranteed a minimum of four matches with the two top schools contesting a final.

A view of the Emerging Schools 1st Year/U14s Finals Day held in Thomond Park.

A view of the Junior Supporters Club Easter Camp with Andrew O’Mahony and Sean Edogbo.

A view of the Junior Supporters Club Easter Camp with Liam McCarthy and Conor Ryan

In March, a Primary Schools Blitz was held in Clanwilliam FC which saw over 300 boys and girls from seven local primary schools attend the Johnny Lonergan Memorial Primary Schools Rugby Festival.

A view of the Clanwilliam Primary School Blitz. Photo Credit: Morgan Mooney

A National School Blitz was held in Charleville RFC at the beginning of March which saw 20 teams competing on the day from Charleville NS, Ballyhea NS, Newtown NS, Dromina NS and Milford NS.

Munster Rugby hooker Scott Buckley was in attendance to meet the players and the session was run by Munster Rugby staff members Fiach O’Loughlin, Ken Imbusch, Willie Shubart and CCROs Abbie Salter-Townsend, Brian O’Dowd and Steven O’Sullivan.

A view of the National School Blitz held in Charleville RFC. Photo Credit: Mikey Moran

Munster Rugby’s Scott Buckley in attendance at the National School Blitz in Charleville RFC. Photo Credit: Mikey Moran

A 1st year Emerging School Blitz was also held in Musgrave Park at the beginning of March which saw 12 teams compete on the day from Clonakilty CS, Midleton College, Davis College, Midleton CBS, St Coleman’s Fermoy and Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai.

An Emerging Schools Blitz was held in Bruff RFC at the end of February which saw CBS Ennistymon, Villiers, Salesians Pallaskenry, Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh, St. Clements,  Scoil Mhuire agus Ide Newcastle West, Newport College and John The Bapist Community School all field teams.

Each team played a minimum of three matches.

There will be more blitzes taking place as the season winds down with a Rugby Prime Blitz Day in Castleisland RFC on Tuesday 25th April.

The participation programme will then focus on our summer offerings which include the Bank of Ireland Munster Rugby Summer Camps, School of Excellence and Excellence Camps. More info on these can be found here.