The Metropolitan Council Cup is an initiative set up by Leinster Rugby to bring rugby to groups of players who have had little or no rugby playing experience. The aim is to give those players a positive experience of rugby and to further promote links to clubs in their local areas.

The Cup is named in honour of BGF Ravens (formerly Unidare RFC) past president Joe Harton. Joe was a champion of rugby in areas of Dublin City and beyond.

The morning began with a reception for parents and guardians of the players as well as teachers and coaches from the schools. There were some council representatives in attendance.

It was also an honour to have the family of Joe Harton present on the day.

The whole day was a fantastic spectacle of running rugby with all four teams scoring some fantastic tries in what was a blitz-like competition with all teams playing each other once to see who comes out on top. With three rounds of games played it was South Dublin CC that made it a clean sweep by winning all their matches.

In presenting the Joe Harton Memorial Cup, Stephen Harton (son of Joe Harton), paid tribute to all the teams in action on the day, especially commenting on the skill, determination and commitment from everyone that took to the field on the day.

If any school within the Dublin area has not played rugby before and wishes to avail of some rugby programmes and/or enter the competition next season they can contact:

Dublin City Council area

South Dublin County Council area

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown area

Fingal County Council area