Rugby League Ireland
Encyclopedia
Rugby League Ireland is the internationally recognised governing body for the development of rugby league football
in Ireland, having secured official recognition from the RLIF
in 2000. It is in the process of obtaining recognition within the Irish Sports Council
and will take over the running of the international team
entirely as a stand alone entity in due course.
players who wanted to stay fit over the summer. The Blues competed against touring teams from Britain and surprised many of the touring sides with the quality of their play, scoring many memorable victories over British amateur
opposition.
In early 1995 the British Rugby Football League
development arm financed the position of a Development Officer for Ireland, providing a massive boost to the development of the game. In the same year Ireland formed its very first competitive team to play against the USA
in Washington DC on St. Patrick's Day. Ireland won 24-22.
Competitive matches were established between teams in Leinster
and Ulster
: Schoolboy matches were played between Dublin and Belfast
schools, Open Age Clubs competed against each other in the All-Ireland Challenge Cup. Teams included Belfast Wildcats and Bangor Vikings from Ulster
. From Leinster
there were Dublin-based Dublin Blues, North Side Saints, Tallaght Tigers, Churchtown Warriors, Seapoint Sharks and Bray-based East Coast Panthers. From Munster the Cork Bulls were formed under the guidance of Ex-Dublin Blues stalwart Peter McNamara. Northside Saints and Cork Bulls had their successes but the long-established Dublin Blues were always pre-eminent and there or thereabouts when it came to the trophy presentations.
The modern-day Rugby League Ireland was formed in 2001 initially in Leinster and Munster conferences, prior to this the competition was known as Ireland Rugby League, though after a season the league reverted to a national competition for two seasons before the conferences were reintroduced for 2004.
In 2006 the Leinster and Munster conferences were abandoned in favour of an all-Ireland league, but conference play was reintroduced for the 2007 season, this time on a North/South basis, below the Elite division.
For 2008 two national divisions operate, the Carnegie League and the Emerald Rugby National Conference.
In 2009 the Emerald National Conference has been replaced by the Emerald League run on a merit league basis http://rli.ie/topic,175,0,New-Clubs---Emerald-Rugby-League. However, the Emerald League is unlikely to run in 2009 and it is hoped it will run in the future. Also a separate Northern Ireland league has been re-established.
In 2010 the Provincial Conferences were re instated with the Leinster, Munster and Ulster Conferences. A total of 17 teams competed during the season.
The Conference Champions were: Ulster - Ballynahinch Rabbitohs, Leinster - Dublin City Exiles, Munster - Treaty City Titans
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
in Ireland, having secured official recognition from the RLIF
Rugby League International Federation
The Rugby League International Federation is the world governing body of rugby league football. It was formed in 1998 in Sydney, Australia. Its purpose is to, "foster, develop, extend, govern and administer the game of Rugby League throughout the world". Its headquarters are in Sydney, Australia,...
in 2000. It is in the process of obtaining recognition within the Irish Sports Council
Irish Sports Council
The Irish Sports Council or ISC is the organisation which directs the development of sport within the Ireland.The ISC is a statutory authority and was established in July 1999 under powers provided by the Irish Sports Council Act...
and will take over the running of the international team
Ireland national rugby league team
The Ireland national rugby league team, known as the Wolfhounds, represent the island of Ireland in rugby league football. The team is organized by Rugby League Ireland and are accredited as an affiliate member of the Rugby League International Federation...
entirely as a stand alone entity in due course.
History
The seed of modern-day rugby league in Ireland was sown when in 1989 the Dublin Blues were formed and founded by Brian Corrigan. They consisted mostly of rugby unionRugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
players who wanted to stay fit over the summer. The Blues competed against touring teams from Britain and surprised many of the touring sides with the quality of their play, scoring many memorable victories over British amateur
British Amateur Rugby League Association
The British Amateur Rugby League Association is the governing body for social and recreational rugby league in the United Kingdom...
opposition.
In early 1995 the British Rugby Football League
Rugby Football League
The Rugby Football League is the governing body for professional rugby league football in England. Based at Red Hall in Leeds, it administers the England national rugby league team, the Challenge Cup, Super League and the Rugby League Championships...
development arm financed the position of a Development Officer for Ireland, providing a massive boost to the development of the game. In the same year Ireland formed its very first competitive team to play against the USA
United States national rugby league team
-2008 & 2013 Rugby League World Cup Qualifying:In October 2006, The Tomahawks were to participate in a four team Atlantic qualifying pool for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, but South Africa and the West Indies withdrew. As a result, The Atlantic qualifying pool was reduced to a single game...
in Washington DC on St. Patrick's Day. Ireland won 24-22.
Competitive matches were established between teams in Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
and Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
: Schoolboy matches were played between Dublin and Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
schools, Open Age Clubs competed against each other in the All-Ireland Challenge Cup. Teams included Belfast Wildcats and Bangor Vikings from Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
. From Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
there were Dublin-based Dublin Blues, North Side Saints, Tallaght Tigers, Churchtown Warriors, Seapoint Sharks and Bray-based East Coast Panthers. From Munster the Cork Bulls were formed under the guidance of Ex-Dublin Blues stalwart Peter McNamara. Northside Saints and Cork Bulls had their successes but the long-established Dublin Blues were always pre-eminent and there or thereabouts when it came to the trophy presentations.
The modern-day Rugby League Ireland was formed in 2001 initially in Leinster and Munster conferences, prior to this the competition was known as Ireland Rugby League, though after a season the league reverted to a national competition for two seasons before the conferences were reintroduced for 2004.
In 2006 the Leinster and Munster conferences were abandoned in favour of an all-Ireland league, but conference play was reintroduced for the 2007 season, this time on a North/South basis, below the Elite division.
For 2008 two national divisions operate, the Carnegie League and the Emerald Rugby National Conference.
In 2009 the Emerald National Conference has been replaced by the Emerald League run on a merit league basis http://rli.ie/topic,175,0,New-Clubs---Emerald-Rugby-League. However, the Emerald League is unlikely to run in 2009 and it is hoped it will run in the future. Also a separate Northern Ireland league has been re-established.
In 2010 the Provincial Conferences were re instated with the Leinster, Munster and Ulster Conferences. A total of 17 teams competed during the season.
The Conference Champions were: Ulster - Ballynahinch Rabbitohs, Leinster - Dublin City Exiles, Munster - Treaty City Titans
Division 1
- Carlow CrusadersCarlow CrusadersThe Carlow Crusaders are a rugby league team based in Carlow, Ireland. They play in the Irish Elite League. They play home games at Oak Park, Carlow. The Crusaders are forced to play most of their games in Cill Dara RFC, Kildare as Oak Park is owned & used by Carlow RFC.-Famous players:* Ross...
- Dublin City ExilesDublin City ExilesThe Dublin City Exiles are an Irish rugby league team from Dublin, Ireland. The Exiles play in the Leinster Conference of the Irish Elite League. They play their home games at Lakelands Park in Terenure.- History :...
- North Dublin EaglesNorth Dublin EaglesNorth Dublin Eagles are an Irish rugby league team from Dublin, Ireland. The team is based in Raheny on Northside Dublin. The Eagles play their home games at ALSAA and train on Tuesdays and Thursdays at St. Paul's College, Raheny....
- Edenderry Boghogs
Division 2
- AthboyAthboyAthboy , is a small agricultural town in County Meath in Ireland. It is located on the junction of the N51 and R154 roads. The town is located on the Yellow Ford River, in wooded country near the County Westmeath border.-History:...
- Ballyfermot BearsBallyfermot BearsBallyfermot Bears RLFC are a rugby league club playing in Ballyfermot in Dublin. They play in IRL Leinster Division. They play in Markievicz Park, in Ballyfermot, a suburb located outside Dublin city....
- Kildare Dragons
- Tallaght Tigers
- NB: Wicklow Vikings withdrew and were replaced by Tallaght Tigers
Munster League
- Cork BullsCork BullsThe Cork Bulls are an Irish rugby league team based in Cork, Ireland. They play in the Munster Conference of the Irish Elite League.The Cork Bulls were formed in 2010....
- Country Cowboys
- Treaty City TitansTreaty City TitansTreaty City Titans are an Irish semi-professional rugby league team based in Limerick City, Ireland. They play in the Munster Conference of the Irish Elite League...
- West Coast Warriors
Division 1
- Ballinahinch Rabbitohs
- East Belfast Bulldogs
- Fermanagh Redskins
- Strangford Sharks
Division 2
- Ballynahinch Rabbitohs 'A'
- Portadown Pumas
- NB: DungannonDungannonDungannon is a medium-sized town in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is the third-largest town in the county and a population of 11,139 people was recorded in the 2001 Census. In August 2006, Dungannon won Ulster In Bloom's Best Kept Town Award for the fifth time...
and Mid-Ulster Mercenaries failed to start the season.
2001
- Leinster Conference: Dublin Blues, Dublin City Exiles, Clontarf, Churchtown Warriors
- Munster Conference: Cork Bulls, Suir Valley Saints, Carbury Crusaders, West Munster Kings
2002
- Cork Bulls, Dublin Blues, Dublin City Exiles, Churchtown Warriors, North Kildare Knights, East Coast Eagles
2003
- Cork Bulls, Dublin Blues, Dublin City Exiles, Churchtown Warriors, North Kildare Knights, East Coast Eagles
2004
- Leinster Conference: Dublin Blues, Dublin City Exiles, Churchtown Warriors, East Coast Eagles, Clontarf Bulls, Kildare Dragons
- Munster Conference: Cork Bulls, Middleton Devils, Kilkenny Wildcats, Waterford Vikings, Kerry Kings, Treaty City Titans
- NB: Middleton Devils never started the season.
2005
- Leinster Conference (West): Kildare Dragons, Tullamore Knights, Portloaise Panthers, Athlone Arrows, Athboy Longhorns
- Leinster Conference (East): Dublin Blues, Dublin City Exiles, East Coast Eagles, Ashbourne
- Ulster Conference: Portadown Pumas
- Munster Conference: Cork Bulls, Kilkenny Wildcats, Waterford Vikings, Kerry Kings, Treaty City Titans
- NB: Ashbourne and Athlone Arrows failed to start the season and therefore the Leinster (West), Leinster (East) and Ulster conferences were merged into one Leinster Conference.
2006
- Kildare Dragons, Tullamore Knights, Portloaise Panthers, Athlone Arrows, Athboy Longhorns, Dublin Blues, Dublin City Exiles, North Dublin Eagles, Portadown Pumas, Cork Bulls, Kilkenny Wildcats, Waterford Vikings, Treaty City Titans, Malahide Lions
- NB: Cork Bulls and Malahide Lions failed to start the season with Carlow Crusaders being brought in as a replacement for Cork Bulls.
2007
- Elite Division: Carlow Crusaders, Treaty City Titans, North Dublin Eagles, Dublin Blues, Kildare Dragons
- North Division: Dublin City Exiles, Portadown Pumas, Athboy Longhorns, Athlone Arrows, Tallaght Tigers
- South Division: Tullamore Knights, Portlaoise Panthers, Kilkenny Wildcats, Galway Tribesmen, Carlow Crusaders B
- NB: Galway Tribesmen failed to start the season and were replaced by Treaty City Spartans. Kildare Dragons and Athboy Longhorns failed to complete the season.
2008
- Elite Division: Carlow Crusaders, Treaty City Titans, North Dublin Eagles, Dublin City Exiles, Portadown Pumas, Tullamore Knights
- National Conference: Landsowne Blues, Athlone Arrows, Tallaght Tigers, Portlaoise Panthers, Kilkenny Wildcats, Carlow Crusaders B, Ballinahinch Bulls, North Dublin Eagles B, Western Warriors
- NB: Landsowne Blues, Athlone Arrows, Ballinahinch Bulls and North Dublin Eagles B failed to complete the season
2009
- Elite League: Carlow Crusaders, Treaty City Titans, North Dublin Eagles, Dublin City Exiles, Tullamore Knights, Laois Panthers
- Rugby League Merit League: Tallaght Tigers
- Northern Ireland League: Portadown Pumas, Ballinahinch Bulls, East Belfast Bulldogs, Strangford Sharks
2010
- Ulster Conference: Portadown Pumas, Ballynahinch Rabbitohs, East Belfast Bulldogs, Strangford Sharks, Antrim Storm, Fermanagh Redskins
- Leinster Conference: Carlow Crusaders, North Dublin Eagles, Dublin City Exiles, Tullamore Knights, Laois Panthers, Tallaght Tigers, Athboy, Wicklow Vikings
- Munster Conference: Treaty City Titans, Cork Bulls, Bruff, Cashel
- NB:Antrim Storm, Tallaght Tigers and Cashel failed to start the season. However, University of Limerick Bohs replaced Cashel in the Munster Conference