Despite competition AIB in for long haul

COMPETITION sponsor AIB has given the seal of approval to the forthcoming All Ireland Leagues, notwithstanding some discontent amongst the Irish clubs at the way the domestic game has been handled by the Irish Rugby Football Union.

The 14th season of the AIB League, Ireland’s premier inter-club rugby competition gets underway this weekend although it will still be overshadowed by Provincial commitments in the Celtic League.

But AIB General Manager John Hickey suggested the group was in club rugby sponsorship for the long haul.

“This is the seventh season of our involvement with club rugby. Our sponsorship focus has always been at a community level and the AIB League is an important element of our involvement with Irish sport.

“The spread of the game to so many rural areas in recent years has made the League even more exciting and has given it a real sense of community endeavour,” he said.

Division One champions, Ballymena, open their season at home against UCD, as do last year’s defeated finalists, Clontarf, who entertain Galwegians in Castle Avenue.

Even though they failed at the last hurdle last year, Clontarf were undoubtedly one of the great success stories of 2002-03 season, and hope to attract big crowds once again.

Meanwhile, newly promoted Dolphin will be eager to make their mark from the outset when they travel to Co Carlow for their opening fixture.

In Division Two, newly promoted Waterpark have a home fixture against Thomond, whilst other interesting fixtures on the first Saturday include DLSP against Old Belvedere, and Sunday’s Well against UCC. In Kildare, Barnhall will play host to Bective Rangers.

Division Three will kick off with Ards in action against Corinthians. After seeing off the challenges of Bruff, Kilkenny and Monivea to win the round robin and claim promotion to Division Three, Ards’ return to the AIB League is an exciting time for the club.

Wanderers, who had such a good season last year sit out the opening Saturday, but no doubt will be most keen to get their campaign underway when they entertain Clonakilty on the first Saturday in November.