Rugby Participation Roundup

29th April 2026 By The Editor

A view of the secondary blitz day in Nenagh

It has been a busy spring season for our Rugby Development staff as they ran blitz days across the province to promote the game of rugby.

Nenagh CCRO, Nathan Deely O’Meara, ran a very successful blitz recently for secondary schools in his area.

In attendance on the day were Nenagh CBS, Borrisokane Community College and Nenagh College while Nenagh college and St Mary’s Nenagh also had girls team take part.

The boys played three matches of 11-a-side across pitch, before moving to another three 15-a-side games played at full pitch.

Meanwhile the girls teams played Rugby Prime on a second pitch before coming together for a tackle workshop led by Women’s Development Officer Rosemary Dillion, which allowed the girls to learn tackle technique and put it into practice using tackle mats and hit shields. They then played small sided matches to finish off the day.

A view of the secondary blitz day in Nenagh

A view of the secondary blitz day in Nenagh

A view of the secondary blitz day in Nenagh

A view of the secondary blitz day in Nenagh

A view of the secondary blitz day in Nenagh

A view of the secondary blitz day in Nenagh

A view of the secondary blitz day in Nenagh

In Old Crescent, CCRO Tracey Duggan hosted a well attended National School Blitz.

The schools in attendance were Gaelscoil an Ráithín, Le Chéile National School and Our Lady of Lourdes.

Great fun was had as teams lined out for a number of games in the sunshine before Munster players Gavin Coombes and Evan O’Connell stopped by for a Q&A.

Check out some of the best shots from the day below.

A view of the blitz day in Old Crescent RFC

A view of the blitz day in Old Crescent RFC

A view of the blitz day in Old Crescent RFC

A view of the blitz day in Old Crescent RFC

A view of the blitz day in Old Crescent RFC

A view of the blitz day in Old Crescent RFC

A view of the blitz day in Old Crescent RFC

A view of the blitz day in Old Crescent RFC

The player of the day at our most recent West Munster 1st Year/U14 blitz day was ISK Killorglin’s Shamie O’Gorman.

Not only did he play in one of the games, where he scored a try, he also helped coach his team throughout the day.

Well done Shamie!

Participation Programme Co-Ordinator Ray Gadsden, Shamie O’Gorman (ISK Killorglin), West Munster Athletic Development Coach Fionn de Quadras and Women’s Participation Officer Brian O’Dowd

Earlier this month Thomond Park hosted out 1st Year Finals Day.

Sixteen secondary schools attended on the day from Borrisokane Community School, Limerick Educate Together, The Abbey CBS, St. Ailbes, Newport College, ISK Killorglin, CBS Nenagh, Gaelscoil Luimnigh, Salesian Pallaskenry, CBS Tralee, Villiers, Rice College, Cashel Community College, Colaiste Ide Agus Iosef, Thurles CBS and Ennis Community College.

A great day was had with over 200 students taking part.

A view of the 1st Year Finals Day in Thomond Park

A view of the 1st Year Finals Day in Thomond Park

A view of the 1st Year Finals Day in Thomond Park

Castleisland RFC also hosted a successful blitz this past month.

Schools from Currow, Clogher, Kilmurray all were in attendance while players Conor Ryan and Shay McCarthy dropped in to meet the young players, sign autographs and present trophies to the best boys and girls players on the day.