With the Halloween midterm break over and all the schools back to normal activity, close to 300 boys and girls converged on Railway Union RFC for their eagerly anticipated Primary School tag rugby blitz…

The schools involved had just completed a six week Play Rugby programme where many had experienced the game for the first time. Over the preceding month and a half pupils from St.Patrick’s Boys, Ringsend; St. Patricks Girls, Ringsend; St. Marys Boys, Haddington Road; St. Brigids Girls, Haddington Road; SandfordParish, Ranelagh and Kildare Place,Rathmines had learnt all the skills necessary to play the game and this was certainly evident on the day.

The morning kicked off in true Irish weather style with rain threatening but despite its best efforts the most that it could muster was a few drops. With relieved faces on all the teachers present that at least they had tired but dry pupils returning to school. Fun and enjoyment was the order of the morning as the all the matches were played in the spirit that has become synonymous with the Mini rugby game and the reward was not bragging rights but a few little surprise goodies from Leinster Rugby for everyone that took part.

A massive thank you must go to all the referees, teachers and principals for their help on the day and during the programme. Also, to Railway Union for allowing the use of their facilities for the morning. Of course the day couldn’t have happened without the coaching work done by Ken Knaggs of Leinster Rugby throughout.

John Sweeney, Dublin City Council’s Sports Development Officer for the South East, who was in attendance on the day added ‘It was great to see so many active kids in the area enjoying themselves and learning a new sport‘.

Leinster Rugby’s CRO for the DCC area, Billy Phelan further added ‘This is one of the biggest Primary School tag rugby blitzes to have taken place in recent times in this area and hopefully a few rising stars would emerge from taking up the game through this‘.

If any other schools, colleges or community groups in the Dublin City area would like to participate in similar programmes please contact Billy Phelan on 086 8688314 or email on billy.phelan@leinsterrugby.ie.