IRFU Annual Report – A Golden Season
The defining moment – March 21, 2009, at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, and the scoreline: Wales 15 Ireland 17 – will forever endure as an historic landmark. All of this would not have been possible without the work that the IRFU does every season at grassroots and professional level. The Annual Report for 2009 encapsulates Ireland’s ‘Golden Season.’
The IRFU Annual Report for the 2008/09 season is now available to download.
The report encapsulates the work of the IRFU at grassroots and professional level in what was a ‘Golden Season’ for Irish rugby.
In his report, outgoing IRFU President John Lyons summed up the emotion generated by the Grand Slam and the opportunities that such a season presents for Irish rugby.
He wrote: “I am delighted to say that achieving the heady heights of Grand Slam-winning status represents an enormous promotional awareness of rugby in Ireland and for which the Union, its branches and clubs are eager to utilise.
“Events on the international scene, highlighted for me this season by such magical moments as Jamie Heaslip’s try against France…Tommy Bowe’s tries against Italy and Wales…Brian O’Driscoll’s try against England…the timely tackles by Bowe and O’Driscoll against Scotland…and that drop goal by Ronan O’Gara against Wales, are fundamental to promoting the game.
“They have the effect of attracting greater numbers and volunteers into our clubs, communities, schools and other areas that may not otherwise be associated with the playing of rugby.”
Download the IRFU Annual Report (PDF) – click here.
Annual reports from previous seasons are available in the ‘About Us’ section of IrishRugby.ie – click here.