Pigs and porter promised at Europe’s biggest rugby festival

LIMERICK will host Europe’s biggest fun rugby event next weekend.

A total of 95 teams made up of men and women will take part in the Pig n’ Porter tag rugby festival.

Three teams will travel from England and Scotland while nearly every club in this country is fielding teams.

The event kicks off with a welcome party on Friday at Peter Clohessy’s famed rugby pub in the city.

The serious, and not-so-serious business gets underway at the Old Crescent and Crescent Comprehensive grounds on Saturday.

Part of the proceeds will go to the Brothers of Charity special school in Bawnmore.

Old Crescent member Eugene O’Riordan, who is on the organising committee, said: “We started the Pig n’ Porter tag rugby competition six years ago and we had 12 teams. Then it grew rapidly and this year we have almost 100 teams.

“It is run in association with the Irish Tag Rugby Association and the Limerick event is now the biggest of its kind in Europe, if not the world.”

With players and supporters, local hotels report strong business, with more than 1,500 bookings.

After the on-field activities are completed, a huge party will be held at the Old Crescent club where guests will be treated to a heard of pigs which will be sizzling for most of the day on spits.