Rugby League Ireland recognised by Sports Council

Rugby League Ireland are today hailing a breakthrough after gaining recognition as a national sporting body by the Irish Sports Council.

The announcement ends a two-year campaign by RLI’s executive committee and comes just days after the staging of the first rugby league match in Limerick, where a crowd of 3,100 saw Ireland take on France in the rugby union stronghold of Thomond Park.

RLI general manager Gordon Matthews said: “It’s great to get recognition from the Sports Council as we continue to grow as a sport.

“We look forward to working alongside the ISC to develop the game here. Rugby league has seen a large growth in Ireland over the last couple of years and are hopeful of that growth continuing in the future.”

RLI has overseen an increase in the number of clubs from six in 2009 to more than 20 while history was made earlier this year with the first universities game between Limerick and Tralee.