Scrap academy and return to club values, pleads Munster hero Ginger

Scrap the academy and give power and resources back to the clubs and you will help to solve some of the problems besetting Munster Rugby, writes Charlie Mulqueen

That’s just one of several strong views held by Gerry McLoughlin, one of the game’s legendary figures, as he considers a less than promising future for the game in the province.

“Ginger”, as he is known to those fans who happily recall his exploits in the black and blue jersey of his club Shannon, the red of his native province and the green of Ireland; looks at what is happening these days with a jaundiced eye. He fears the game outside of Leinster may soon be unable to fund its activities and points the finger of blame chiefly at the academies that are costing what he maintains are unsustainable sums of money. Just about every facet of the game — the schools, the clubs, the Munster Branch, the IRFU — also incur his wrath. McLoughlin has never been afraid to speak his mind and act courageously — a few years ago, he was a frequently controversial figure in his native city and still became Mayor of Limerick against all the odds.