It is with great pleasure, as President of the IRFU, that I extend my best wishes to all clubs competing in the AIB league in season 2009/10.
 
This year sees the 20th staging of the AIB League and the 13th year of AIB sponsorship.  The generous and committed sponsorship of AIB and its healthy partnership with the IRFU in our Community Rugby Programme are essential to the welfare of our club game.  On behalf of Irish rugby may I wholeheartedly express our gratitude to AIB especially in these difficult economic times.
 
As we enter season 2009/10 it is worth reminding ourselves of some of last year’s success stories.  AIB champions – Shannon – represented Ireland in Northern Spain by taking on and defeating a Basque selection.  Ballynahinch made a strong statement on behalf of themselves and of Division 2 and 3 clubs by winning the AIB Senior Cup and taking it out of Munster for the first time. 
 
It would be true to say that the AIB Junior Cup goes from strength to strength with matches now attracting big crowds and huge local interest.  Well done to Tullamore – 2009 winners – but welcome to this season’s AIB Division 3 to Navan the beaten finalists but AIB Round Robin winners.
 
This season will be the fourth in which an AIB club International team takes the field.  Meanwhile the Women’s All Ireland League will be managed and regulated by the AIB League Committee for the first time, giving it a similar profile to the men’s league.  Whilst AIB Division1 will show a revised structure of A and B sections of eight teams each – something that will certainly intensify competition at this level.
 
The club game remains a priority for the IRFU. Its Domestic Game Committee is working hard at cementing the links between Club, Branch and Union. This I firmly support as the vast and enthusiastic numbers of players and volunteers from the clubs are the backbone of our game.

My thanks to them and to AIB and best wishes to all for season 2009-10.

John Callaghan
IRFU President