Cunningham wants IRFU to clarify status of club game

GARRYOWEN RFC coach Paul Cunningham yesterday claimed that the IRFU have misinterpreted his views on the current debate amongst top clubs with the way the domestic game is being run.

In a week when representatives of three of the highest profile clubs in the country — Cork Constitution, Garryowen and Young Munster —expressed their worries about the future of the club game, Cunningham took issue with a number of points made by union spokesman John Redmond in the Irish Examiner.

“For starters, it is wrong to claim that I would prefer to go back to the era prior to professionalism. Neither did I claim, as suggested, that the ills of the clubs are due entirely to the professional game.

“I never said that or indeed never made even a remote reference to such. In fact, what I said, and what was quoted, was the following: “I have nothing against the professional game and it has been brilliant for Ireland to win Grand Slams and Triple Crowns, for Munster, Leinster and Ulster to win Heineken Cup and Magners Leagues; professionalism was the right way to go.

“Unfortunately the way it has worked out has helped signal the death knell for the clubs and I firmly believe that will rebound on us (all) down the line.”

The thrust of Cunningham’s worry, following hot on the heels of criticism by outgoing Cork Constitution President Der O’Riordan, about the future of club rugby concerned where the IRFU saw the All-Ireland league in relation to professional rugby.

The IRFU, through various channels, is on record as saying it comes in as a third tier behind international and provincial professional rugby, but the former Munster player questioned whether that was the case and asked for confirmation.

“I would make a couple of observations based on John’s replies and I would thank him for clarification on certain matters, especially relating to the position of top tier club rugby.

“His comments were: ‘The link between the professional game and the top tier in club rugby is getting wider and wider.

“The academies and the provincial A games are professional underpinnings for the professional teams.”

“That speaks for itself; I am not living in the past, as John Redmond suggests, but I’m just noting the impact the changing face of rugby has had on the top tier of club rugby, and it would be more beneficial if the IRFU admitted club rugby no longer holds a place in the third tier; it would be just better if they told it as it is.”

Meanwhile Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has welcomed the province’s pre-season friendlies schedule against “top class” outfits such as the Melbourne Rebels and Heineken Cup finalists Northampton Saints.

The Super 15 outfit come to Donnybrook on Friday August 19 and a week later there’s a repeat of this year’s memorable Heineken Cup final.

Leinster say season ticket sales for the coming season have already passed the 13,000 mark and tickets are still on sale from www.leinsterrugby.ie