BY MICHAEL O’LEARY
Rugby is on a crest of a wave across Ireland at present, with both the National Senior and U-20 Teams continuing their defence of The Grand Slam this weekend.
The Senior Team are in action tomorrow afternoon (Saturday) at home to Wales in The Aviva Stadium at 2.15pm, while The U-20s are in action tonight (Friday) also against Wales in Virgin Media Park (Musgrave Park) in Cork with a 7.15pm kick-off.
Interest in Rugby is at an all time high nationwide as a result of the success of the National Teams, and it’s had a most positive knock-on effect especially in the Juvenile section with increasing numbers playing the sport.
Kilkenny Rugby Club has seen the Juvenile section in particular thrive with the Ireland Teams achievements, and it has brought about increasing numbers to Foulkstown that was already a constant hive of activity throughout the week.
The Kilkenny Firsts have been going great guns throughout the season, and they have been riding high in The Leinster League with only League games against Carlow and Longford remaining.
Despite the recent 21-15 loss at home to table toppers Athy, Kilkenny at time of writing remain firmly in the mix for League honours and the losing bonus point against Athy may yet prove decisive in the final destination of the League.
Kilkenny have an away tie to look forward to against North Kildare in Round two of The Provincial Towns Cup on St. Patrick’s Day following a comprehensive 60-5 victory at home to Clondalkin, and that was also a day to remember for 8-year-old Stevie Mulrooney who sang the National Anthem before the game.
Stevie came to fame in late November where he appeared on The Late Late Toy Show as he sang Irelands Call, and he was surprised by Ireland Internationals Peter O’Mahony and Bundee Aki as he was presented with a signed jersey and family tickets to the Ireland against Italy Six Nations game, where he sang Irelands Call in front of a packed Aviva Stadium to a watching nation.
The Kilkenny Seconds have been performing very well throughout the season, and they currently lie in second place in The League table behind leaders Athy, while the Kilkenny Ladies finished their League campaign last Sunday with a home game against South East Lions.
The Leagues across the various competitions will be winding down over next few weeks, before attention turns fully to the Cup competitions.
The Juvenile Teams will have plenty to look forward to also in the months ahead as the business end of the season takes place.
Very best wishes to Jake McDonald who recently departed for Australia. Jake Captained Kilkenny to win The Towns Cup two years ago in 2022.
