Where would OâConnells play? Who would pay the transport costs to bring them to a pitch. The IRFU do have a bit of a scatter gun approach with their money for schools - there are lots of schools who play at a poor level getting in Provincial development officer every once in a while. I would be much more in favour of the IRFU honing in on 10 or so schools in the country and putting the full resources in there in order to get more players at a pro level. A proper rugby programme is expensive business.
But at the same time the IRFUâs remit is to be the grassroots supporter of the game. More kids getting the chance to play the sport ect.
Mount Temple are dust as well from a rugby point of view. Iâm not sure why Pauls went the way they have, or indeed Templeogue College. Probably to do with the religous orders pulling out and not having the same level of Lay support as before. The IRFUâs involvement with the top 40 or so schools in the country is not particularly big beyond age grade sides. The schools fund the coaches and everything surrounding the rugby programmes. I think we had three visits from people in the Leinster Branch when I was in school, Gerry Murphy for a couple of sessions and Rollie Meats for a scrum session. Ollie Campbell came down once but that was because his Godson was on the team. The rest of the coaches were all brought in by the school.
Munster are moving into the ârougherâ schools already. I think the different provinces, seem to be at least, trying different approaches. This is partially taken from NZ Rugby. They will uniform the approaches then if suitable.
The GAA are a joke. Leaving clubs like Crokes and Boden go the way they have ye leave areas and clubs and schools wither like you describe. Its a disgrace. Duffy and the rest of them are thumb twiddlers. They have guys in prominent positions in CP and the GAA who havenât a clue and donât care and in some cases have no previous gaa affiliation whatsoever.
OâConnells would play on Belvos Distillery Road pitch which is 10 minutes walk from their school. Or else go out to their own pitch in Clontarf on a Dublin bus.
I didnât know Belvo played there as well. I think they only use the Navan Road ones for matches that must be why.
Still, I think the challenges of an inner city school with rugby are greater than elsewhere. I think the IRFU would do well to look at a school like Temploegue College first and try to figure out what went wrong. They have the facilities ready made and even the pitches for Marys rugby club across the road but they have gone to complete crap.
You mentioned St Fintans earlier - I would put money on their improvement being down to some teachers there.
UL are unbelievable underachievers over the years. Its said they never created the same spirit as the likes of UCC & UCD in particular. Always been chock full of talent
