League makes Ulster bow Options

[Methven Hornet]

Wow that is great!

OK, so I need a history lesson here. What is Nth Irelands situation in terms of the UK and Rep. Ireland.

Also does this comp come under the auspices of the RL conference like scotland and wales?

Is there a website link to Nth ireland RL or to this competition.

Just to add to what others have said...

On the position of Northern Ireland situation in terms of the UK and Republic of Ireland:-

Constitutionally, Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - until the population decides otherwise - although it has growing links (administrative, economic, cultural, etc, etc) with the Republic.

In sporting terms, I think most sports are administered on an all-island basis, although there is usually a Northern Ireland or Ulster dimension (they are not totally interchangeable terms). Soccer is the most notable exception and there were pretty unique reasons for the split. For Olympic participation, a Northern Irish citizen can represent Great Britain or Ireland (RoI).

As for rugby league, Rugby League Ireland seems to be the 'development body' for the whole island and administers the domestic competitions and the Wolfhounds national side (amateur/community game). Whether it has yet been recognised by the appropriate authority in the Republic as the governing body there, I am not sure. I think that, at one time, the equivalent of the sports council in the RoI saw the IRFU as the sole governing body of all forms or rugby. To further complicate matters, as Northern Ireland is a part of the UK, rugby league there falls within the remit of the RFL (I think the RFL and even BARLA once claimed that they oversaw the game in the RoI too, but I'm not sure whether that is the case now).

I also notice that they are calling the competitions the Northern Ireland Conference and the Northern Ireland 9's rather than using the Ulster title that the IRFU use. Hopefully, a club from Donegal (in Ulster but not in Northern Ireland) would be welcomed with open arms (let's not get too ambitious, though).

Confused? Welcome to the world of 'constructive ambiguity'.

[druzik]

Just to add to what others have said...

On the position of Northern Ireland situation in terms of the UK and Republic of Ireland:-

Constitutionally, Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - until the population decides otherwise - although it has growing links (administrative, economic, cultural, etc, etc) with the Republic.

In sporting terms, I think most sports are administered on an all-island basis, although there is usually a Northern Ireland or Ulster dimension (they are not totally interchangeable terms). Soccer is the most notable exception and there were pretty unique reasons for the split. For Olympic participation, a Northern Irish citizen can represent Great Britain or Ireland (RoI).

As for rugby league, Rugby League Ireland seems to be the 'development body' for the whole island and administers the domestic competitions and the Wolfhounds national side (amateur/community game). Whether it has yet been recognised by the appropriate authority in the Republic as the governing body there, I am not sure. I think that, at one time, the equivalent of the sports council in the RoI saw the IRFU as the sole governing body of all forms or rugby. To further complicate matters, as Northern Ireland is a part of the UK, rugby league there falls within the remit of the RFL (I think the RFL and even BARLA once claimed that they oversaw the game in the RoI too, but I'm not sure whether that is the case now).

I also notice that they are calling the competitions the Northern Ireland Conference and the Northern Ireland 9's rather than using the Ulster title that the IRFU use. Hopefully, a club from Donegal (in Ulster but not in Northern Ireland) would be welcomed with open arms (let's not get too ambitious, though).

Confused? Welcome to the world of 'constructive ambiguity'.

[JWAD]

Rugby League Ireland seems to be the 'development body' for the whole island and administers the domestic competitions and the Wolfhounds national side (amateur/community game). Whether it has yet been recognised by the appropriate authority in the Republic as the governing body there, I am not sure

Of course the RLI would be recognised as the governing body here.

In sporting terms, I think most sports are administered on an all-island basis

On the contrary, apart from GAA sports, cricket and rugby union, I can't think of any others run on an All-Ireland basis. Athletics, golf and a host of others all have seperate governing bodies.

I think that, at one time, the equivalent of the sports council in the RoI saw the IRFU as the sole governing body of all forms or rugby. To further complicate matters, as Northern Ireland is a part of the UK, rugby league there falls within the remit of the RFL (I think the RFL and even BARLA once claimed that they oversaw the game in the RoI too, but I'm not sure whether that is the case now)

Nope. The IRFU has not governed any other form of rugby here but rugby union. I think the fact that the league in question is calling itself the Northern Ireland conference would indicate that they seek British govt funding to run it because as you say already, there are nine counties in the Ulster province.

This post has been edited by JWAD: May 9 2009, 01:40 PM

[deluded pom?]

So is there a likelihood that we could see a NIRFL in the not too distant future or will they align with the IRL?

[bowes]

Also for the record the main league in the Republic of Ireland is the Carnegie League with the following teams:
Carlow Crusaders
Treaty City Titans
Dublin City Exiles
North Dublin Eagles
Tullamore Knights
Laois Panthers

In theory there's meant to be an Emerald League going ahead this year on a merit basis but I'm not convinced it will go ahead as no information (participating teams etc.) has been released and Tallaght Tigers have said no Irish teams have wanted to play any fixtures against them (though Tallaght Tigers also play in the North West division of the RL Merit League, a British competition, where confusingly they have to play home games in Bangor, Wales (there's a ferry there from Dublin), possibly for insurance reasons but not 100%)

[nadera78]

There has been talk of this for a few months so good to see somethign constructive come about. Ten years ago there were a coupe o fother clubs - Bangor Vikings and Belfast Broncos - so maybe we will see those names come back some time in the future.

Be interesting to see what happens with rep teams and the like, especially given the decision of RLI to use the flag and anthem of the Republic at the world cup.

[Methven Hornet]

Also for the record the main league in the Republic of Ireland is the Carnegie League with the following teams:
Carlow Crusaders
Treaty City Titans
Dublin City Exiles
North Dublin Eagles
Tullamore Knights
Laois Panthers

In theory there's meant to be an Emerald League going ahead this year on a merit basis but I'm not convinced it will go ahead as no information (participating teams etc.) has been released and Tallaght Tigers have said no Irish teams have wanted to play any fixtures against them (though Tallaght Tigers also play in the North West division of the RL Merit League, a British competition, where confusingly they have to play home games in Bangor, Wales (there's a ferry there from Dublin), possibly for insurance reasons but not 100%)

I'm sure that I read somewhere (RLI forums probably) that the fixtures for the Emerald Merit League are going to be decided on a weekly basis - as and when teams make themselves available - and that they will be played at the same venues as the Carnegie League fixtures. Very laid back - don't know if the same ref will officiate both.

As for Tallaght I had just assumed that it was an innovative way of obtaining fixtures. Not many fledgling British sides of that standard are going to be willing to travel to Dublin for a game. Meeting 'half-way' seems the ideal solution - get the boat first thing in the morning, hope the sea isn't too rough, play the game and have a few drinks on the sail back. Probably as easy as travelling the length and breadth of Ireland on a bus.

[tim2]

I'm sure that I read somewhere (RLI forums probably) that the fixtures for the Emerald Merit League are going to be decided on a weekly basis - as and when teams make themselves available - and that they will be played at the same venues as the Carnegie League fixtures. Very laid back - don't know if the same ref will officiate both.

As for Tallaght I had just assumed that it was an innovative way of obtaining fixtures. Not many fledgling British sides of that standard are going to be willing to travel to Dublin for a game. Meeting 'half-way' seems the ideal solution - get the boat first thing in the morning, hope the sea isn't too rough, play the game and have a few drinks on the sail back. Probably as easy as travelling the length and breadth of Ireland on a bus.

That's right. Anybody who wants a trip to Dublin is more than welcome

[gavgordon78]

All looking good over here - good to see a few comments on our NIRL Conference.

Check out www.strangfordsharks.com - it's regularly updated and will feature news on the overall league as well as the Sharks....

A lot to do, but we are almost there and all are looking forward to the 9's on may 16th. Hope to get something on Boots n All if possible.

Stay clean, stay focussed.....

Gav

[bowes]

I'm sure that I read somewhere (RLI forums probably) that the fixtures for the Emerald Merit League are going to be decided on a weekly basis - as and when teams make themselves available - and that they will be played at the same venues as the Carnegie League fixtures. Very laid back - don't know if the same ref will officiate both.

Yes though there seems to be very little evidence of it going ahead, no list of participants, Tallaght have been trying to organise fixtures and got nowhere. Of course the whole season's fixtures wouldn't be out yet, but I don't see how you can organise a match when the fixtures are decided that week so they'd have to know the first week's fixtures at least by now

It is an innovative way of getting fixtures for Tallaght, but playing in the merit league is also the only way they've got fixtures

This post has been edited by bowes: May 10 2009, 08:33 AM

[deluded pom?]

As for Tallaght I had just assumed that it was an innovative way of obtaining fixtures. Not many fledgling British sides of that standard are going to be willing to travel to Dublin for a game. Meeting 'half-way' seems the ideal solution - get the boat first thing in the morning, hope the sea isn't too rough, play the game and have a few drinks on the sail back. Probably as easy as travelling the length and breadth of Ireland on a bus.

Do any British teams ever travel to Tallagh or are all of their home games based in Bangor? I would have thought a once a season trip out to Dublin would be a good bonding session or do they HAVE to play their games on the British mainland due to insurance purposes?

[bowes]

Do any British teams ever travel to Tallagh or are all of their home games based in Bangor? I would have thought a once a season trip out to Dublin would be a good bonding session or do they HAVE to play their games on the British mainland due to insurance purposes?

I thought they did but turns out teams can play in Dublin if they want but as far as I know all home games are in Bangor

[Methven Hornet]

Do any British teams ever travel to Tallagh or are all of their home games based in Bangor? I would have thought a once a season trip out to Dublin would be a good bonding session or do they HAVE to play their games on the British mainland due to insurance purposes?

I've not heard of any. It might be the level of the game and the early stage of development the clubs are at that prevents British clubs going over. At a time when all the effort is in making sure that you get 13 players on the pitch, organising a trip to Dublin and getting players to commit to it when they are maybe just trying out the game might be a step too far. On the other hand the prospect of the trip might make players stick with it.

[Methven Hornet]

Yes though there seems to be very little evidence of it going ahead, no list of participants, Tallaght have been trying to organise fixtures and got nowhere. Of course the whole season's fixtures wouldn't be out yet, but I don't see how you can organise a match when the fixtures are decided that week so they'd have to know the first week's fixtures at least by now

It is an innovative way of getting fixtures for Tallaght, but playing in the merit league is also the only way they've got fixtures

I got the impression that it was a case of if you can get at least 9 players on the pitch then contact us and we'll try and find you a game at the weekend. Not good for the likes of Tallaght but then publishing a list of fixtures that mostly don't get fulfilled or that even contain teams that never materialise isn't the best situation.

Just highlights the difficulties of developing the game in new territories.

Tallaght also put themselves forward for the winter merit league - did they get any fixtures through that?

[bowes]

Tallaght also put themselves forward for the winter merit league - did they get any fixtures through that?

Think they played a friendly against Dublin Blues, but the winter merit league never actually had any fixtures.

We'll see with the Emerald League, it might be that 2 or 3 games go ahead, but I really don't see it being a success, they should really have at least gone for the set up the RL Merit League works on, because 4 teams not in the Emerald or Northern Ireland League did play games last year, so they should have been able to do something. The RLML and London League always have 1 or 2 teams not materialise and some fixtures rearranged but at least it's better than clubs having to work out travel for away games at less than a week's notice

This post has been edited by bowes: May 10 2009, 11:04 AM

[ckn]

This story got onto the BBC website this weekend

[Tallaght Tigers ...]

The RFL insurance now covers the Republic of Ireland. Its cost Tallaght RL €276.57 for a years insurance 2009/2010, as opposed to the RLI cost of €750 in previous years. Hopefully this will encourage more RL teams to form in Ireland. All we need now is an RL pitch in the Country!

Winter RL training starts Tuesday's 6th Oct Belgard Community Centre 7.15pm cost €2/player.

Further Details www.tallaghtrugbyleague.org

[Methven Hornet]

The RFL insurance now covers the Republic of Ireland. Its cost Tallaght RL €276.57 for a years insurance 2009/2010, as opposed to the RLI cost of €750 in previous years. Hopefully this will encourage more RL teams to form in Ireland. All we need now is an RL pitch in the Country!

Winter RL training starts Tuesday's 6th Oct Belgard Community Centre 7.15pm cost €2/player.

Further Details www.tallaghtrugbyleague.org

That's great news! Does that mean that the second tier competition (Emerald League?) can go ahead next year?

Keep up the good work and keep us informed!