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Irish Club Rugby In The 1990s Was Truly The Pinnacle Of The Sport

Irish Club Rugby In The 1990s Was Truly The Pinnacle Of The Sport
Gavin Cooney
By Gavin Cooney
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Irish rugby has thrived admirably in the professional era, although the well-worn route from schools to the international team via the provinces has been to the great detriment of the All Ireland League.

In last weekend's Sunday Independent, Brendan Fannning wrote of David Nucifora and an IRFU delegation meeting the AIL clubs of Division 1A and 1B, where Nucifora would witness - in Fanning's opinion - "first hand the stupefying level of ignorance that obtains in the union on the issue of how clubs are carrying out their business".

As the AIL is increasingly isolated in modern rugby, remind yourself of its glory days of club rugby as Ireland crossed from the threshold of amateurism to professionalism.

A Better Way Of Viewing 

Fans find a novel way of getting a glimpse at a Division 1 clash between Garryowen and Young Munster at Dooradoyle, Limerick in April 1996.

Another way of watching AIB League Division 1 Garryowen v Young Munster at Dooradoyle Limericl April 1996

Skinny Second-Rows

Never again will we see a game of senior rugby featuring a second-row with arms as skinny as those belonging to Gabriel Fulcher of Cork Con, seen here challenging Tim Coughlan of St Mary's in February 1993.

Gabriel Fulcher Cork Con Skinny Arms v Tim Coughlan St Marys in Temple Hill Feb 93

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An Era In Which Keith Wood Had Hair...

Pictured here with Dan Larkin of Garryowen after the 1994 final.

Keith Wood with Dan Larkin of Garryowen after winning AIL in April 1994

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...And Gloriously Baggy Jerseys

O Connell Belfast Harelquins 2001 Baggy JErsey

It Pitted Some Of Ireland's Greatest Players Against Each Other

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O'Connell and O'Gara clash in the 2001 semi-final between Young Munster and Cork Con.

O connell Rog 2001 AIL Semi

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Never Was A Competition Better Suited For Snaps Of Players Looking Maniacally Determined

Be it Trevor Brennan for St Mary's...

Brennan Cork Con 2001
Trevor Brennan St Marys 2001

...David Corkery for Cork Con...

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David Corkery 99 Cork Con Final v Garryowen

...or Peter Clohessy for Young Munster...

Peter Clohessy Young Munster Win OVer St MArys AIL Div 1 feb 93

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...or Mick Galwey for Shannon.

I

Mick Galwey winning Garryowen Shannon 1998

Ultimately, It Was An Era Which Embraced Rugby Players Of All Shapes And Sizes

This was taken during a Cork Con/Landsdowne clash at Landsdowne Road in 1998.

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Jim Canning Cork Con v Paul Grimes Landsdowne in Lands Road Dec 98

All photos via Sportsfile.

See Also: Watch: Mathieu Bastareaud Acts As Physio After Truly Colossal Collision Leaves Opponent KO'd

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