Irish Rugby : Club & Community : News : Fixtures Released For Round Robin Series

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne has issued a statement following confirmation of Ronan O'Gara's decision to retire from playing professional rugby.

Ronan O'Gara's retirement from professional rugby brings to an end an achievement-packed career that saw him dominate matches in Ireland and around the world in the colours of Cork Constitution, Munster, Ireland and the British & Irish Lions.

IRFU provincial and national age grade coaches - Under-18s, Under-19s and Under-20s - and IRFU elite player development staff from the four provinces gathered recently to review their experiences, discuss challenges and align closer to ensure the development of more effective elite players across the IRFU Elite Player Pathway.

The draw has been made for the Round Robin series of matches which make up the All-Ireland Provincial League Championship, with the opening games taking place on Saturday week (March 23). All fixtures will kick off at 2.30pm.

2012/13 ALL-IRELAND PROVINCIAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES:

Saturday, March 23 -

Portadown v Tullamore; Richmond v Monivea

Saturday, April 6 -

Monivea v Portadown; Tullamore v Richmond

Saturday, April 13 -

Monivea v Tullamore; Portadown v Richmond

Saturday, April 20 -

Play-off between second-placed team in Championship and second-from-bottom side in Division 2B

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In this Championship, the points scoring system is the same as the one operated for the Ulster Bank League. The team that finishes top of the table will be promoted directly to Division 2B for next season.

The second-placed team in the Championship will play off against the club that finishes second-from-bottom in the current Division 2B. The Division 2B club will have home advantage for the play-off match on Saturday, April 20.

The Round Robin Series gets underway with Leinster champions and recent All-Ireland Junior Cup winners Tullamore heading north to face Ulster title holders Portadown.

Two clubs who competed in last season's All-Ireland Provincial League Championship, Munster's Richmond and Monivea from Connacht, will also meet in the opening round.

Galway club Monivea, who beat Richmond 29-20 last March, went on to finish second in the table and contest a play-off with Division 2B's Ards which they lost 30-17.

Portadown and Monivea have received the more favourable draws with both sides having two home matches in the Championship.

Dublin side Skerries won the Round Robin Series in 2012 and have adapted well to life in the Ulster Bank League, winning half of their 12 matches to date to lie eighth overall in Division 2B.

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