Excellent day had by all in Kinsale

The sun is splitting the stones, and the smell of suntan lotion is rippling through the light breeze gently blowing around the grounds as I type this article. Perfect conditions for the tournament that exemplifies the best of open running, fun rugby.

The Junior Mens, Senior Mens and Womens competition started in earnest at 10am this morning and so far games are taking place at a rapid fire pace. Given the multitude of teams attending this tournament, totaling an impressive 72 teams altogether, it is a colourful affair. The South Sea Drifters, and the Global Babaas from Fiji, are some of the more oriential teams competing, alongside Bective Rangers, Killarney, the Irish Gladiators, the Leicester Lions and the dynamically named Southern Sharks.

Some of the more interesting results from this mornings games include Ashbourne’s 41-0 victory over Clogher Valley. Old Crescent did some damage to London Irish by defeating them 48-0. Buccaneers put away Keynsham with a final scoreline of 41-0.
The final of the Senior Womens was a tight contest between Richmond and Highfield, the end score being Highfield 30 to Richmond’s close 24. The Senior Mens final was an exciting display of Sevens Rugby by the Irish Gladiators and the Samurais, with the final score being 33-24, victory to the Gladiators.

Tomorrow will see the arrival of the Global Babaas in Kinsale. The presence of this effervescent Fijian side is sure to draw a crowd to the games.

This Sevens tournament will also witness the launch of the National U-20s Sevens Finals, which kicks off tomorrow. In association with the IRFU, the initiation of this competition highlights the importants steps that the IRFU are taking to promote and encourage the development of the game at youth levels. Director of Rugby Development for the IRFU, Eddies Wigglesworth, fully endorses the competiton, and regards it as a hugely important step in the development of Irish Rugby, especially with regard to emerging players of the future.

Clubs such as Greystones, St. Marys , Bruff, Old Crescent, Garryowen, and Sunday’s Well will be competing in the U20s competition.
The clashes set to take place between these well respected clubs should prove a very interesting games of rugby to watch, and should give a taste of the future of Club Rugby in this country.
Kick off for the U20s games is at 12 noon on tomorrow (Sunday). The competition will also see another array of games to be played between the Senior Mens, Womens and Juniors.

Another fun-filled day of fun rugby is on the cards. To be sure…