Promoted creatively, the AIL could be very successful

VERY often among GAA people, when the thorny subject of payment for players is introduced, the nay-sayers point to rugby as an example of how things went badly wrong within local clubs when that sport went professional.

I wonder though, how right are they? The introduction in 1990 of the All-Ireland League was one of the best things that ever happened to Irish rugby. Prior to that the rugby club scene was confined and excited major support only on provincial cup days, days that were few and far between for most.

For league games, and again whether at junior or senior level, support was marginal, confined in most cases to a dedicated few.