Hard work pays off for Newcastle West as quality finally rises to top in Munster

Years of patient hard work and dedication came to fruition at Thomond Park on Sunday when a group of Limerick teenagers from Newcastle West, Shanagolden and Abbeyfeale combined to win the Munster Youths U18 title for the first time.

Tom McCoy, chairman of Munster Youths Rugby and his fellow committee members understand the battle outlying clubs face in keeping rugby alive in their areas due to a lack of playing numbers.

Accordingly, some are allowed to amalgamate for certain underage competitions while retaining their identities otherwise. Newcastle West/ Estuary fitted ideally into this category and the far-sighted strategy was justified by a superb final, which the West Limerick boys won 22-20.