Are you a rugby fan? Especially a fan of the 7 a side variety? Well then the Kinsale Rugby Sevens tournament is just for you! Taking place over the May Bank Holiday Weekend in picturesque Kinsale, The Kinsale Sevens is Ireland’s most popular 7 a side Rugby competition, and it has flourished over the past 20 years. Read on for more…
The Kinsale Rugby Sevens (which is sponsored by drinks giant Heineken) is run by Kinsale Rugby Football Club at the Snugmore grounds which is located just outside the town of Kinsale in Cork. The event takes place over the May Bank Holiday Weekend, and runs in 2009 from May 1st to the 3rd. It is estimated that at least sixty teams will arrive in Kinsale to take part in the most popular event of its stature in Europe.
In the past, Kinsale RFC has seen teams, players and spectators from all over Ireland, the UK, other EU nations, and sevens teams from the Pacific Islands taking part. Some of the world’s most skillful teams have participated in the past with distinction at this wonderful tournament of dynamic and intensely paced running rugby.
The Tournament originally started to raise funds for the construction of a pavilion and clubhouse for the rugby club, and it first acquired an international flavour in 1993 when renowned chef Keith Floyd, assembled a team called the “Keith Floyd Vikings” to play against an Anglo-Welsh side in a 7 a side match. Indeed, the tournament has seen celebrated Irish players such as Mick Galwey and Michael Bradley perform in the past, along with celebrated international players in the vein of Welsh legend Jonathan Davies, Scottish 1991 Grand Slam hero Gavin Hastings and 1995 South African Rugby World Cup winning captain Francois Pienaar.
Kinsale RFC is in existence for over 25 years and the Rugby Sevens is a thrilling testimony to the success of the sport in the area, which attracts large crowds and celebrated visitors from the rugby world – in the past Alan Gaffney former Munster Coach, and Australia 1991 hero Michael Lynagh have attended and thrilled the crowds with their tales from the rugby world!
The games take place on 5 pitches, and they will hold a total of 150 games! The Sevens rules apply to all games with 7 minutes per match half, and teams have at least 20 minutes rest between games. All matches are officiated by fully qualified referees. The Friday of the Tournament is generally a day for teams meeting each other, getting familiar with your surroundings, and getting that last bit of training under your belts! Games begin on Saturday morning at 10am sharp, and the event organisers have asked that all games kick off on time as there are over 150 matches to get through! Saturday sees the Howard Holdings Senior Men’s Cup kicking off along with the Ladies Saturday competition, followed by the knockout stages later in the afternoon. The Junior Men’s qualifiers also play throughout Saturday, leading into knockout competitions on Sunday. Sunday will see the finals for all tournaments played out, and matches are generally played up until 6pm, where after trophies and medal presentations take place, and a night on the town is organised!
Please note that all participants must be over 18 years of age and a member of a rugby club. There are full first aid services in place over the weekend in the event of any injuries.
How to get to Kinsale
Kinsale is located in the south coast of Ireland, and is located 18 miles from Cork City. Get onto the N71 (which is signposted for West Cork) and then at the Bandon Road roundabout get on the R607 for Kinsale.
Find out more about the Kinsale Rugby Sevens.
Find out more about Kinsale.
If you are thinking of heading the Kinsale Rugby Sevens event in 2009, you will need a place to stay so check out our Kinsale Hotels page.
Are you interested in entering a team into the tournament or have you been to the Kinsale Rugby Sevens tournament in the past? Let us know what you thought – we appreciate your comments!
