IRFU defends handling of club game

IRFU chiefs have defended their treatment of domestic rugby in the wake of stinging criticism from two high profile clubs.

Officials from Cork Con and Garryowen questioned where the game at grassroots ranked with the IRFU given the rapid development of the sport at professional level in recent years. Last night union bosses came out fighting.

Spokesman John Redmond said: “The IRFU provided €11m to the domestic game in 2009-10 and €9.7m in this season just ending (2010-11).”

And he insisted the club game still has a key role to play in the development of Irish rugby stars. Redmond reasoned: “Contracted players want to play professional rugby, not amateur rugby, and the clubs themselves have asked for the league regulations to be changed so the club game is not distorted by the appearance of professional players at key points in the competition, as has happened in the past.

“The link between the professional game and the top tier in club rugby is getting wider and wider as the professional game accelerates through sports science and incremental progression in a sport that requires professional training, preparation and support which is provided by the academies and the professional teams.

“Players on this elite/professional pathway want and need to train and play in a professional environment. There is still plenty of scope for involvement of academy and development contract players in the club environment where they can learn from older experienced players, where they can get meaningful opportunities to play at the top level of the amateur game.

“But if the players wish to achieve their potential as professional players they must also operate within the specialised professional rugby environment operated by provincial academies and professional team set ups,” he said.

Redmond also hit out at comments by Garryowen coach Paul Cunningham that clubs would favour the creation of regional conferences in a bid to reduce costs associated with playing in an All-Ireland League format.

“Whenever that subject was raised, 60% of the clubs objected to it. When he queries the club game’s ‘relevance’ he is living in the past, where the international and provincial players regularly played in the club game.”

Young Munster President Derek Tobin, a former Munster scrum half, weighed in on the debate last night.

He warned: “So many players cut their teeth in club rugby over the years, so many benefited from the cut and thrust of great rivalry, particularly the intense rivalry that still exists in Munster. The IRFU are short sighted and they must give club rugby the due care and attention it requires. It’s all very well to have players wrapped in cotton wool and under the control and management of the provinces, but they need to experience the intensity they can expect in competitive club rugby.

“The clubs are falling down the ladder but there is a strong club product on their doorstep. We also need to know where we stand. As a club, we have put a lot of resource and finance into developing our grounds and facilities with gymnasiums and all-weather pitches and that has to be recognised.

“We’re doing that for the betterment of the game and our ultimate ambition within the club is to drive our youngsters onwards and upwards towards Munster and beyond, if that’s possible.

“That type of commitment is not being reflected by the IRFU in relation to the All-Ireland League.

“They seem to always want to say the right things but don’t necessarily follow those words up with actions. The clubs take a very professional approach to the game and in return we would like to be treated with respect.”