Limerick to host 2025 Atlantic Youth Cup this summer

THE official launch of the 2025 Atlantic Youth Cup took place at the University of Limerick Arena recently. This competition, which is organised by the Federation of International Touch (FIT) in conjunction with the Ireland Touch Association (ITA), will feature international underage Touch Rugby teams competing across seven grades from Under-15 to Under-20. This will be the largest international Touch Rugby tournament ever held in Ireland.

The launch was attended by several dignatories, including Mayor of Limerick John Moran, Munster Rugby President Brendan Foley, FIT Directors Chris Simon and Michael Abromowitz, as well as representatives from the ITA, UL Events, UL Sport and the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau.

Touch Rugby is a fast-paced, non-contact version of rugby that prioritises skill, speed, and spatial awareness and is growing in popularity across Ireland. The game is widely recognised in Australia and New Zealand for its role in developing young rugby players.

Locally the sport is governed by the ITA with teams such as Munster Touch Rugby Club in Limerick and clubs in Dublin, Galway, Belfast, Athlone, Wicklow and Portlaoise. On the international stage, Ireland entered 7 teams in last year’s Touch World Cup while our underage teams have competed at every Junior European Championships since 2014 and entered the inaugural Atlantic Youth Touch Cup in Nottingham in 2023.

Scheduled to run from July 31 to August 3, it is expected that this prestigious underage Touch Rugby competition will attract more than 30 teams from up to a dozen nations to the world-class facilities at UL. The event will also be a major boost to the local economy and to sports tourism in Limerick.

Speaking at the Official Launch, Mayor of Limerick John Moran, said: “Limerick’s ability to attract such a prestigious event reaffirms our reputation for hosting large-scale international sporting events. Essential to this of course is our collaborative approach, superb facilities and renowned hospitality.

"I would like to congratulate everyone involved in the successful bid. Hosting large international sports events produces millions in economic impact for Limerick and will provide a very welcome boost to the hospitality, tourism and retail sectors in the region.”

Askeaton native Michelle Mulcahy, who is Director of the Ireland Touch Association (ITA), said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been selected to host the Atlantic Youth Touch Cup in Limerick.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our renowned Irish hospitality to visiting teams from Europe, South Africa, and the USA. It’s not only about the sport—we also want to highlight Ireland’s beautiful Wild Atlantic Way and create lasting memories for everyone involved.”

University of Limerick worked with Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau on the bid to attract the event to the Shannonside region, with the support of Failte Ireland and Limerick City Council.

David Ward, UL Events, University of Limerick said: “The state-of-the-art sports campus at UL Sport will provide an ideal setting for the competition, offering convenient access to pitches, accommodation, and facilities for players, referees, and supporters.

"In recent years we’ve hosted World & European Championships for a wide variety of sports including Flag Football, Archery, Lacrosse, Chess and many more. With the addition of the Atlantic Youth Touch Cup, UL is reinforcing its reputation as a go-to destination for major international tournaments.”

For more information about the event and about Touch Rugby locally and nationally see Munster Touch Rugby and Ireland Touch Association on Facebook and Instagram.