East Clare rugby clubs join forces

With a view to having a really strong East Clare team, East Clare Eagles (Tulla), Scariff and Ballina-Killaloe clubs have joined forces to form Lough Derg Saints underage rugby club which, for the first season, will be based in Scariff.

“I suppose it’s a case of three mini clubs joining to make one with a view to providing a stronger unit. In the current set-up, a lot of players were getting picked by the bigger clubs when they reached 16. If we can get a strong club in East Clare, it will help to keep the players here and they can progress to adult level. There will be no need to go to another club when they can play in the same grade,” Michael Madden, spokesperson for the new club, told The Clare Champion this week.

It is planned that the new club will have teams at U-13, U-14, U-15 and U-17 grades.
Currently, East Clare Eagles in Tulla only operates at juvenile (up to U-12) level. Scariff and Ballina-Killaloe have been competing in the conference leagues.

“In the new set-up, training is set to begin at the beginning of August, ahead of competition, which is due to start at the beginning of October. Coaches will be in place and we are hoping that this will bring the players on and that we will have a really strong team representing East Clare and North Tipperary,” Mr Madden said, advising that “anyone wishing to get involved with the new club will find contact information on the websites of any of the three clubs involved”.