Tag tournament set to put Limerick on world stage this summer
IN six months time, Limerick will become the first city in the Northern Hemisphere to host a Tag World Cup.
The tournament, which will take place at University of Limerick in August, was originally scheduled for 2021 but was postponed due to Covid-19.
“Back in 2018 we made an application to host the World Cup in 2021 but then with Covid, lockdown restrictions, have been pushed out to this year, 2023. It took a lot of work from lots of people involved between Limerick County Council, Fáilte Ireland and Irish Rugby Association and a lot of people had to put the bid together to actually win the bid,” said Aidan Walsh of the Irish Tag Rugby Association (ITRA).
The four-day event will see twenty nations, primarily from the Southern Hemisphere, compete across a number of categories at UL, a welcome location from the ITRA Director of Operations.
“You couldn't ask for better sports facilities anywhere in Ireland or the world. I think the beauty of it results in the fact that all the participants will be staying on site so they only have a short walk to the pitches. It should create an amazing atmosphere, both playing and socially off the pitch afterwards as well for all the players who are coming to the event,” he told Limerick Live.
At a launch event this Tuesday, Womens 35’s player, Sarah Jane Gavin, revealed what preparation goes into playing at this competitive level.
Sarah is also heavily involved with tag rugby in Limerick, running leagues on Mondays and Wednesdays in Garryowen Rugby Club and knows the value of holding this international event in the Treaty County.
“It's huge. I mean like the buzz around is absolutely fantastic. It's lovely to see teams that maybe wouldn't necessarily get the opportunity to play the higher leagues, they'll get to see all the traveling teams come over, and hopefully we can organise local games for them against the traveling teams, the Australians and GB,” she explained.
Jack Leahy is taking charge of the Women’s Senior team and attended the launch in The Strand Hotel as his team prepare to go one better in this year's event.
“The team came second in the World Cup and won a silver medal in 2018. So you have to think we're pushing hard to go for the gold. Australia is a huge challenge. No matter where they travel, they've been playing the game, most of them for 15 and 20 years, if not more.
“But that's what we want. A home World Cup, you have to want to win,” he stated.
The Tag Rugby World Cup begins on Wednesday, August 2 and will see around 2000 of the world's best tag rugby players compete for gold medals across mens, womens, mixed and senior categories.