News

Highlights: August 2024

Safe Sport

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Along with AJFSF, the European Athletes and Players Association, the Major League Baseball Association, the NHL Players Association and the World Cricketers’ Association, Rugby Players Ireland will participate in the CASES project led by World Players. The initiative aims to build capacity among player union legal terms and executives to support athletes who have faced abuse.

IMPACT x RPI

IMPACT Gumshields and Rugby Players Ireland have extended their partnership for a further 3 years, with IMPACT continuing as the players’ association’s Official Gumshield Partner for the 2024/25, 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons.

IMPACT has supported Rugby Players Ireland since 2019 and is proud to supply players with gumshields that harness its patented software and 3D printing technologies to create a product that offers up to 97% more absorption. 

In addition to its relationships with the professional game, IMPACT also provides special offers for schools and clubs throughout Ireland, the UK, Europe and North America. 

Rory Burke RIP

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie

We were deeply saddened to learn of Rory Burke’s passing earlier this month. We had encountered Rory during his spells at both Munster Rugby and Connacht Rugby.

We continue to think of his wife Sarah, parents Karen and Paul, and his wider circle of family, friends and teammates.

Rookie Camp

As pre-season steps up another few gears, we brought Year 1 and 2 academy players to the K Club for our annual Rookie Camp. Run in partnership with the IRFU, the camp operates as an induction programme into various aspects of life as a professional athlete. Amongst the highlights this year was a discussion with David Humphreys and Jordi Murphy who discussed the current professional rugby landscape from both organisational and player point of views, while Cathal Sheridan also featured for a talk about ‘Mastering Patience’ alongside Eoin Rheinisch. 

Personal Development

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady

As the Women’s Interpros kicked off, we spoke to Dr Eimear Corri who lines out in the Leinster Rugby engine room while balancing her career as a newly qualified doctor.

You can read the interview here. 

Meanwhile, new Munster Rugby recruit Diarmuid Kilgallen reflects on leaving Galway, qualifying from the School of Law at NUIG and being nominated for the Law Student of the Year. 

You can read Diarmuid’s interview here. 

Inspirational!

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady

What a delight it was to see Kathryn Dane back in interprovincial action just over 20 months after suffering a brain haemorrhage. Dane had the privilege of leading Ulster Rugby into action. Her return has also been rewarded with a call-up to the Barbarians alongside Ciara Cooney, Kathryn Buggy and the retiring Claire Molloy. The group take on South Africa on September 7. 

Rugby Players Ireland Golf Classic

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie

The Annual Rugby Players Ireland Golf Classic took place at Druids Glen on August 28. A host of current and former players from a wide section of our membership were in attendance. Players joined partners of Rugby Players Ireland and took some time out ahead of a busy season. 

1st: Paul Marshall & Druids Glen

2nd: Darragh Fanning, James Downey & Wasserman

3rd: Dylan O’Grady & Rugby Players Ireland

Retirements

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Lucy Mulhall said it was the honour of her life to represent and lead the Irish Women’s Sevens for the past decade. In a thoughtful statement released following her sides Olympic adventure, Mulhall said that the game had taught her so much on a number of levels. “It’s taught me that life’s all about who we spend it with, how we make them feel, how we lift them up and how we leave a mark on peoples’ lives that lasts long after we leave the room.”

Also wishing Bradley Roberts all the very best for the future as he hangs up his boots. Roberts enjoyed a ‘short but sweet’ journey through the game, having picked up a professional contract with Ulster following a series of impressive performances in the AIL. He would go on to represent Wales at international level within a calendar year.

Meanwhile, Lauren Delany has decided to step away from her Irish Rugby career. Having only turned to the sport at the age of 25, Delany demonstrated remarkable resilience, determination and work ethic to win 26 caps for her country. She will now place her focus on playing rugby with Sale Sharks Women, her work as a nutritionist with Sale Sharks and continuing her studies at the Carnegie School of Sport.