Energia AIL: A 30 Year Rugby Legacy – Documentary On TG4

Featuring former and current Ireland players Gordon D’ Arcy, Keith Earls, Niamh Briggs and Fiona Reidy, and league legends including John O’Mahony, father of Ireland flanker Peter O’Mahony, and former President of Cork Constitution rugby club.

The documentary, narrated by Máire Treasa Ní Dhubhghaill, will air on TG4 on Sunday 21st November at 17:15, and discusses the significant benefits of the club game to the community and its contribution to Irish Rugby, highlighting the sense of passion and spirit, and its crucial importance in developing the game at a grassroots level.

Des Kavanagh, IRFU President said : “Grassroots rugby is an integral part of the Irish Rugby pathway. Many senior and academy squads in the provinces, not to mention Irish representative teams, are filled with players who started playing mini rugby with their clubs and sharpened their development at senior level in the Energia AIL.Covid-19 has been really difficult and the amateur game is no different.

It’s been hard going for players, coaches, volunteers, and administrators these past two years. It’s great to see the return of Energia AIL this year and with it, this Energia documentary. It celebrates the league’s 30-year legacy and shines a light on what the future holds for Irish Rugby.

There are 217 clubs on the island of Ireland, and 60 teams playing in the Energia AIL. Energia is committed to supporting the women’s game. This year, two additional teams have joined the women’s division and the documentary features several key players including former Ireland captain, Niamh Briggs.

Head of Brand at Energia, Amy O’Shaughnessy said: “It is a very exciting and interesting time to be involved with Irish Rugby from grassroots through provincial level and to the national team.

The Energia AIL documentary is a wonderful celebration of the action both on and off the pitch and highlights some of the real talent and incredible rugby we have seen from players over the past three decades, as well as the positive impact the league has had on local communities and Irish sport and culture.

It is now more important than ever that we celebrate, honour, and recognise all those involved in the Energia AIL. We’re thoroughly looking forward to tuning in with everyone on Sunday 21stas we recognise all those who have made an outstanding contribution to the league over the past 30 years.”

This coming May, after two long years, we will see the return of the Energia AIL finals, making it a very special year for clubs across the country, their players, families and volunteers and the new documentary will give viewers a rare insight into the pride, commitment, and joy that grassroots rugby brings to so many in Ireland.

Energia AIL: A 30 Year Rugby Legacy, will air on TG4 on Sunday 21st at 17:15 and will be available episodically to watch on YouTube from Monday 22nd of November. Each of the four episodes will be released on a weekly basis.

For further information visit the Energia AIL website and follow Energia on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.