Club in Tipperary will host country's first Rugby 10s tournament

We have been overawed by the feats of Antoine Dupont and his Rugby 7s team at the Paris Olympics.
Rugby 7s has only recently developed in Ireland but the country’s Men’s and Women’s teams have done well in Paris nevertheless.

There is yet another official rugby variation under World Rugby rules – that of Rugby 10s where ten players, five backs and five forwards play on a full-sized pitch.

It has similarities with the 7s game, where conversions are by means of drop goals.

As far as we know, there is no Rugby 10s tournament in Ireland at present – but Clonmel Rugby Club is about to change that when the club launches its inaugural Rugby 10s Festival on Saturday August 10 at Ardgeeha.

The festival is kindly supported by Heineken and Coolmore and it will give us a day of rugby followed by a barbecue and music at the club.

Clubs from places such as Abbeyfeale and the Naval Service will compete for the Alan Normile Memorial Cup.

In keeping with the “festival feel,” there will be vintage cars on display, some stalls and a recital by Banna Chluain Meala.
It promises to be a great day out and we hope to see many of our members, and the general public, at the club.

An entry fee of €5 will give all-day access to the club for those attending.

The club is hoping that this inaugural festival will be the launch pad for an annual festival in Clonmel and that we will see more clubs from all over the country participating in a tournament that will help clubs to kick-start their season and engage in a competition where the emphasis will be on fun rather than on really serious rugby.

All participating teams will play in two groups, with the winner of each group contesting the final at 6pm. The games consist of two halves of ten minutes each, with a two–minute interval at half-time. All the games will be overseen by officials from the Munster Association of Referees.

So, for a day with something different and a chance to see a number of teams in action, come along to Ardgeeha on Saturday August 10.

Hot food, coffee, tea and snacks will be available all day.

We look forward to seeing you there.