Financial issues still to be resolved as AIL begins makeover
But recent IRFU initiatives geared to help them overcome financial and other difficulties will be on trial in the coming months, when the big clubs seek to resolve a number of issues.
The decision to divide Division One of the AIB League into two eight teams sections has been broadly welcomed, but the clubs will insist on further structural changes to allow the flagging competition to prosper.
Paul Derham, director of rugby at defending champions Cork Constitution, said there would have to be an agreed nationwide protocol between the governing body, the provinces and the clubs with regard to the release and availability of players at various stages of the season.
“It would be a positive and necessary step, for instance, if the number of contracted players allowed to play in any one league game were to be increased from three to four, or even five.
“I think it is also important that recognition is given to the needs of the clubs by not fixing provincial A games for the same week as AIL matches. That has led to serious difficulties for the clubs in past seasons.”
The coaching structure is also an area of concern for Derham: “It is essential that there is a review of the support for coaching within clubs. Would-be coaches need the support of the IRFU so that they can actually earn a living whilst engaging in courses. There is a Clubs of Ireland scheme that embraces support for coaching, but in my view it’s wholly inadequate to produce enough suitably qualified Irish coaches.”
Munster clubs have been to the forefront of the AIB League since it started; Shannon are the tournament specialists, while Garryowen, Cork Con and Young Munster have combined to keep the title in Munster for most of the tournament’s history. Dolphin and UL Bohemian bring Munster’s first division representation to six.
But Derham has looked beyond Munster to identify a potential problem in the new format.
“If the league was to finish in the same order as last year, Munster would have five representatives in the top section of eight clubs next season. It would leave one team from Ulster who, based on a home and away format, would have to travel south four times during the season.
“The current compensation packages on offer from the IRFU wouldn’t come near to satisfying a club who would have to spend huge money on travelling alone. The current cost of bringing a team that distance is about €4,000; multiply that by four, or even five when it’s possible that Young Munster could be another participant, and it’s huge money for any club to find in the current climate.”
Derham admitted other clubs would come up with different issues to be addressed once they had a chance to examine the IRFU proposals in detail, before thrashing out a more comprehensive compensation package.
But the immediate emphasis today is on pure rugby and Con begin their defence of the title with a home game against Terenure.
UL Bohs take on Galwegians at Annacotty, but all remaining Munster teams are away. Young Munster make the journey to Ballymena, Shannon play Blackrock, Dolphin meet Buccaneers and Garryowen play Clontarf.
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