Posted on Sep 29, 2010 in All Ireland League, Irish Rugby
The All Ireland League returns with a bang this Friday night with the first in a planned series of ‘Friday Night Lights’ matches featuring local rivals. Dooradoyle in Limerick will be lit up for the clash between Garryowen and the newly promoted Young Munster in Division 1A which will also act as a curtain raiser for the start of the 21st season for the All Ireland League.
The All Ireland League ‘Friday Night Lights’ series will feature some key local derbies across the divisions with the aim for the series to become a regular event this season and into the future. Garryowen will also feature in another floodlit special in round two of the All Ireland League when they make the short trip to Thomond Park to face perennial league favourites Shannon on Friday October 8th.
Garryowen Captain Conan Doyle is looking forward to the match “Playing under lights is always great. We played Shannon under lights last year and the atmosphere was terrific. We are really looking forward to the game against Young Munster this week and Shannon the following week. It is something more clubs should look at.”
Donnybrook in Dublin will also play host to at least two further ‘AIL Friday Night Lights’ clashes when Old Wesley host UCD at the end of October, while Old Wesley will also take on Dublin rivals Dublin University in April. Further games will be added to the ‘AIL Friday Night Lights’ schedule throughout the season.
IRFU Domestic Rugby Manager Scott Walker is excited by the prospect of more games under lights and said, “The domestic rugby landscape has changed and clubs are looking for ways to attract people to their matches. We feel that Friday Night Lights will prove a big boost for them in this. The Provincial teams have shown that there is an appetite for night games and the clubs can capitalise on this. By placing the emphasis on local derby matches we hope that clubs will attract more supporters but we also recognise that players, coaches and supporters have lives outside of rugby and we are adapting to that changed landscape”.
The rest of the league kicks into action on Saturday afternoon with reigning champions Cork Constitution travelling to Stradbrook to face a Blackrock side that surprised them early in the season last year. This is the last season under the current league structures. Divisions 1A and 1B will change to ten team leagues next year and it promises to be one of the most competitive leagues for many years as teams vie for position and promotion.
Following the Ireland training session this afternoon in the Aviva Stadium, the Ireland team management confirmed Keith Earls as the final player among the replacements at number 22.
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