Young Offaly rugby players promised 'great day out' at Aviva after missing out on playing in RDS
The young players from Birr Rugby Club were left disappointed and soaked after missing out on playing at half-time in the game on New Year's Day between Leinster and Ulster in the RDS
Leinster Rugby has promised a team of young Offaly rugby players promised a 'great day out' at the Aviva Stadium at an upcoming game after they missed out on playing in the RDS at half-time against Coolmine in the game between Leinster and Ulster on New Year's Day.
The team from Birr was due to play in the minis game at half time but after travelling to Dublin on Monday, their ten minute game with Coolmine was cancelled not long before they were due to take to the field leaving them bitterly disappointed.
Leinster Rugby says the 'difficult decision' to postpone the half-time minis game was taken after much deliberation with all parties involved. It was the first time the minis game was ever cancelled.
Conditions on the day were poor with heavy rain falling throughout the game. The young players and their large cohort of supporters from Birr were exposed to the elements in the uncovered South Stand for the game.
A parent of one of the children contacted the Offaly Express and outlined the significant cost incurred by the trip that ended with the young players not getting to take to the field.
"Six of us went to support our son in the RDS paying €25 per ticket, as well as one for our son who had to pay to get in to play. That's €175 out of pocket before you factor in the cost of the bus and food, so our trip cost us well over €300 for the pleasure of getting soaked to the bone and having a very disappointed son when the minis games at half-time were called off at short notice. Facilities are that bad at the stadium that they don't even have anywhere for the young players to get changed."
The parent added that they hoped Leinster Rugby would take into account the costs already incurred by parents and also the when they issue the invitation to the Aviva.
In response, Leinster Rugby said it has already been in touch with the clubs outlining an invitation to play at an upcoming Aviva Stadium game, in addition to looking at other measures to make the return trip as cost effective as possible and stated, "we very much appreciate the disappointment of all those impacted, in particular the players, and we'll work closely with the clubs to ensure a great day out at the Aviva Stadium for all concerned."