Munster rugby league debut for three Clare players

IN 2009, the idea of a rugby league team in Clare came about while Brian Farrell was working as a development officer with Rugby League Ireland (RLI). Brendan Guilfoyle of RLI asked Brian if there was any interest in a rugby league team in the area.

Brian got in touch with players from Limerick, Shannon and Ennis to see if it was a genuine possibility. This proved successful so Brian along with Brendan Guilfoyle of RLI approached Cruise’s Hotel and Queens Nightclub, who agreed to sponsor the team for the first two seasons.
In May 2010, the West Coast Warriors played their first league match in the Munster League. The season was sporadic fixture-wise with some teams not able to fulfil fixtures and the Warriors failed to register a win for the season.
Early 2012 saw Brian Farrell leaving the set-up to emigrate to Australia but a core group of current players continued to organise training and recruitment of new players.
This season has seen a lot of younger players taking up the game and after a hard-fought but late defeat to the Treaty City Titans, the Warriors registered their first win in the league against the Galway Tribesman.
Earlier this month, three players from the West Coast Warriors were capped by the Munster Rugby League team with Aidan McMenamin, Tiaan Van Rooyen and Conor Mahony lining out against Ulster Rugby League.
The club is still in its infancy so new players, coaches and sponsors are needed to continue to build on the foundations laid.
In their latest outing, despite a strong comeback from 26 – 10 down at half-time, Warriors lost out 36 – 32 last Saturday at Lees Road.
Anyone interested in participating in any way can contact either Kieran Hogan at 087 2759044 or Brian Flynn at 087 2694194.