Five years ago, long before Declan Kidney’s Ireland side upset the Wallabies at the 2011 World Cup, another select bunch of Irish rugby players made the Australian public sit up and take notice.

Wednesday morning in a café in Portlaoise and Gordon Matthews, general manager for Rugby League Ireland, is responding to a query as to why people in this country should pay heed to the code’s World Cup which starts tomorrow and sees Ireland taking on Fiji, England and Australia in the obligatory group of death.

A TOP Rugby League World Cup official last night described the enthusiasm for the sport in Limerick as “overwhelming.”

Rugby League Ireland are hailing a breakthrough after gaining recognition as a national sporting body by the Irish Sports Council.

Rugby League Ireland are today hailing a breakthrough after gaining recognition as a national sporting body by the Irish Sports Council.

RUGBY LEAGUE chiefs hope to build on the interest shown in Ireland’s first game at Thomond Park

IRELAND’S rugby league international with France at Thomond Park this afternoon (5pm) hasn’t been setting the sporting world alight in terms of hype and publicity.

Ireland have launched a bid to take the 2013 Rugby League World Cup to the Munster rugby union fortress of Thomond Park.

LIMERICK is planning to cash in on its sporting pedigree to attract a number of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup games when the competition is hosted by England and Wales.

Rugby League Ireland have sown the seeds for a potential entry into Super League within the next five years with a scouting academy in Limerick this weekend.

France remain on course to join the Tri-Nations Series in 2009 despite their World Cup flop, according to Rugby Football League executive chairman Richard Lewis.

Ireland have been approached by international rugby union players considering switching codes ahead of this year’s Rugby League World Cup in Australia.

MUNSTER winger Brian Carney could play for Ireland in November’s Rugby League World Cup Finals in Australia.

Ireland have started a recruitment drive to bolster their squad for their assault on the Rugby League World Cup later this year.

The financial future of the Irish Wolfhounds appears to be secure after Rugby League Ireland signed a new sponsorship deal.

THE row between the IRFU and Rugby League Ireland, over the latter’s invitation to Union players to compete in their summer competition, has been resolved.

Wigan and Great Britain winger Brian Carney has called for Ireland to be included in rugby league’s 2008 World Cup as a stand-alone nation.

Plans to launch a rugby league competition in Ireland have prompted “a flood of interest”, according to organisers.

IRELAND’S rugby union defensive coach Mike Ford has backed plans to establish a new rugby league competition here.

Ireland's rugby defensive coach Mike Ford has thrown his weight behind plans to establish a new rugby league competition in the country.