Clubs unite to form new association

THE first division clubs in the All Ireland League have come together and formed the Irish First Division Clubs Association.

The decision to form an association to represent their interests was taken on Tuesday when 13, of the 14 clubs met prior to a meeting of the clubs and the officers of the IRFU. Following discussions with the union officers, the clubs met again to consider the outcome of the meeting.

Frank Hogan, the chairman of the Garryowen club, was elected chairman of the new association. The only first division club not represented at the meeting was Instonians. However, they did send a representative to the meeting with the IRFU officers.

The IRFU has been informed about the formation and objectives of the association and will co operate with it in the mutual interest of the clubs and the game in this country. The association will now set out to formulate the aims and objectives of its members.

The idea of forming such a body was first discussed by representatives of Munster and Leinster clubs. It has now got the support of Dungannon and Ballymena, two of the three Ulster clubs in the first division.

There was a very enthusiastic reaction from the first division clubs to the meeting they had with the officers of the union. The IRFU are happy that there is nothing rebellious about the latest move of the Irish clubs and that the development is not an attempt to follow the path of their English counterparts into a confrontational situation.

At the meeting with the IRFU officials, the clubs outlined their problems, made suggestions about the way forward, were pleased at the reaction they get from the union and with the initiatives the IRFU now intends to put in place.

These initiatives, outlined yesterday, include the contracting of up to 100 players, an examination. of the structure of the All Ireland League, a promise of financial assistance to clubs, the possibility of a competition, between Irish and Scottish clubs, and the possible inauguration of an All Ireland knock out cup competition.

The clubs' reaction was summed up by Frank Hogan. "It was a very good meeting in every respect and extremely beneficial," said Hogan. "There was an understanding and recognition of our problems and a recognition that it was in our interests to explore every avenue that will help towards resolving problems and charting the way forward.

"The proposals that were put and are now being examined are very worthwhile. The meeting was open, frank and honest. There was nothing hidden or no hidden agendas. I would like especially to pay tribute to Bobby Deacy (IRFU president) for the way he received us and handled the meeting. Nothing but good can come from such discussions and there was a mutual understanding of that."

. The former Ireland under 21 International Michael Kearin (Lansdowne) will make his debut in the Interprovincial Championship when he plays on the left wing for Connacht against Leinster at the Sports Ground on Saturday.

Kearin comes in for Dermot Finnegan (Wanderers), who is injured and that is the only change from the side that lost to Ulster last Saturday. The team was finalised at a training session in Tullamore last night. Kearin will team up with Lansdowne club colleagues Alan Reddan and Eric Elwood in the Connacht back division.

Two very interesting selections - on the Connacht A side to meet the Defence Forces on Saturday are former international Noel Mannion and David Beggy. Mannion, a stalwart of Connacht sides over the last decade, has not played for the province this season. His return could be timely as Connacht embark on a European campaign on Saturday week when they meet Padova in the European Conference.

Beggy, who declared for the province this season having previously played for Leinster, went on tour to Sweden with Connacht last month. He had been injured and out of contention for a place in the Interprovincial series.

Mannion will play in his customary position of number eight in the first half on Saturday and will move to the second row in the second half. That is indicative that the selectors think he represents a viable option for the province in that area.