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Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Emerald Warriors RFC win Union Cup becoming European Champions
Twenty years after the club competed in its first Union Cup in Montpellier, Ireland's oldest and leading LGBT+ rugby club, the Emerald Warriors stand out in Europe by winning the Union Cup. An incredible 130 people travelled to the International Gay Rugby (IGR) Union Cup, in Oslo, 29 May to 1 June, which spanned 45 teams from 10 countries. Green Captain Graham Flaherty said, 'Coming into the tournament we knew if we could play to our full potential we could go far in the competition. The team really rose to the occasion in Oslo and played some of the best rugby of our season particularly in the semi and final matches of the tournament which were held on the same day against tough French oppositions." He continued, "Our semi-final performance against Les Gaillards Paris was particularly pleasing and shows the progress the squad has made this season as Gaillards had knocked us out of the Bingham Cup in Rome at semi-final stages in 2024. Our opponents in the final, Los Valents de Montpelhièr were a very physical and powerful team but the whole squad brought an amazing passion and determination on the pitch raising their performance levels in defence and attack. 'Our match winning try came from a fantastic grubber kick down the wing by Gearóid Ó Cualain who chased and touched down to keep us ahead in the game ensuring we would lift the Union Cup. Winning our first IGR tournament is a massive milestone for the club and all of the players take a huge amount of pride in the teams performance. We will all cherish the special memories of lifting the Union Cup together.' Emerald Warriors President Richie Fagan said, 'This didn't happen overnight it was forged through years of commitment, resilience, and a shared love for the game. The Emerald Warriors Green Team's undefeated performance at Union Cup reflects how, as a club, we relentlessly pursue the twin goals of promoting inclusivity, and a high standard of rugby. Congratulations to Coach Shane Dunne, and the team on this incredible accomplishment. We are proud to represent Ireland internationally, as part of the largest ever contingent which included the Cork Hellhounds and the Belfast Azlans.' Richie added, 'The tournament also marked a milestone for our womens+ team, the Azures, who were Ireland's only womens+ team competing. Two years ago, we established the team in February 2023. With only a few weeks' training a dozen Azures joined the club to play what was for many their first rugby match at Union Cup, in Birmingham, in April. This year they competed in the Inaugural Emily Valentine Cup, named for Ireland's own first-recorded female rugby player. The 25-strong squad, guided by coaches Tabz Peterken and Max du Pradel, co-won the Emily Valentine Vase.' Azure Captain Marion Peltret said, 'Union Cup 2025 has been a very intense and important tournament for the Azure team. Two years ago, on our first ever IGR tournament we didn't have a full team and this year we landed in Oslo with a squad of 25 players. Some of them have been playing rugby for less than a year. International Gay Rugby tours are always special and it's been amazing to witness the growth of the team within only three days. 'The team had to fight against strong sides, the French Les Simones, Swedish Stockholm Beserkers, German/Austrian Flying Nuns, and German/Swedish Bruiserkers, and managed to secure the joint third place winning the Emily Valentine Vase. This trophy is a great achievement for such a young team. We were able to celebrate first tournaments participation, a first try, but mainly a genuine camaraderie between the women+ teams. We were the only Irish women+ team in Oslo and we are hoping to inspire others to follow our lead. Roll on Bingham 2026 in Australia!' Richie noted, 'All our teams put in inspirational performances, the Navy Team Captained by Allan Rowe had one of their best performances with wins against the London Stags, and Rugbi Paneteres Grogues Rugby from Barcelona. And not on did the Teal Team, Captained Paul Cashman, win the Alfheim Horn we showcased what a one-club ethos should look like with Azure players Hollie Kavanagh, Casey Schwarzkopf, Ciara Finlay, and Kim O'Neill, playing with the men when injuries left their team short. These fearless Azures embodied what it means to be a Warriors. 'The Azures also participated in the Trans Pride Match with, Orly Mahoney, Jensen Byrne and Lis Maloney, all putting incredible performances that reflected why rugby is a sport for all, that can improve lives by building confidence and community. 'I'm endlessly proud of what we achieved together and incredibly grateful to the coaching staff, captains, committee, team management, medics, physios, drivers, sub-committees, and our loyal sponsors, Bank of Ireland, The George, National environmental Services (NSS), Diageo Guinness, Meaghers Pharmacy, and Windsor Motors,' Richie concluded. The Emerald Warriors weren't the only Irish team to bring home silverware. The Cork Hellhounds clinched the Tier 3 league title (Bifrost Tier), while the Belfast Azlans secured the Vanaheim Bowl in the same division. All in all, it was an outstanding tournament for Irish rugby.
BreakingNews.ie
27-05-2025
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Three Irish teams to compete in International Gay Rugby Cup in Oslo
Three LGBTQ+ inclusive rugby teams from Ireland are set to compete in the International Gay Rugby (IGR) Union Cup in Oslo this week. The Belfast Azlans, Cork Hellhounds, and Emerald Warriors will fly out to Norway to compete in the competition, which runs from May 29th - June 1st. Advertisement The tournament is Europe's largest inclusive rugby tournament, and aims to promote diversity and equality in sports. An estimated 45 teams from 10 countries will battle it out for the title of Europe's number one IGR team. Emerald Warriors President, Richie Fagan, said: 'The Warriors is committed to promoting inclusive rugby and the enjoyment of team sports. "As an LGBT+ club, it offers more than a gateway to team sports, but also a community where people can strive to be their best, authentic selves. Advertisement "Thanks to this culture, we will have our largest group ever travelling to the Union Cup with four Emerald Warriors teams competing.' With the Emerald Warriors being joined by both Belfast Azlans and Cork Hellhounds, the three teams form the largest Irish contingent ever taking part in an IGR tournament. Cork Hellhounds RFC, an LGBT-inclusive rugby club based in Cork, was established in 2020. The Hellhounds currently offer a men's rugby union team and a mixed-gender tag rugby team. Training is held twice a week in the city, where complete beginners and experienced players are welcome to take part regardless of sexuality or gender identity. Cork Hellhounds RFC is ratified by Munster Rugby and the IRFU. Belfast Azlans was established in 2015 to be a trailblazer in LGBTQ+ inclusive sports. The team is Northern Ireland's only inclusive rugby team. It aims to offer a safe space for adult players who share an interest in rugby or want to learn to play rugby in a non-judgmental environment. The team believes sport should be inclusive and accessible to all members of the community by removing barriers to joining and taking part in team sports.
Dublin Live
27-05-2025
- Business
- Dublin Live
Emerald Warriors RFC aims to become Europe's top LGBTQ+ rugby club
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Ireland's oldest and leading LGBT+ rugby club, the Emerald Warriors, will be travelling with a 130-strong contingent to the International Gay Rugby (IGR) Union Cup, in Oslo, 29th May to the 1st June. The tournament is Europe's largest inclusive rugby tournament, promoting diversity and equality in sports. 45 teams from 10 countries will battle it out for the title of Europe's number 1 IGR team. Emerald Warriors President Richie Fagan said, 'The Warriors is committed to promoting inclusive rugby and the enjoyment of team sports. As an LGBT+ club it offers more than a gateway to team sports, but also a community where people can strive to be their best, authentic selves. Thanks to this culture we will have our largest group ever travelling to the Union Cup with four Emerald Warriors teams competing.' Richie added, 'Following a successful Bingham Cup last year (Worlds), our mens+ Green team are currently ranked fourth for International Gay Rugby (IGR), with our womens+ Azure team ranked third in the world. 'A tour of this scale would not be possible without a lot of help,' he added. 'We are immensely grateful for those who have helped us get here namely, The George who hosted our Queen of the Warriors fundraiser, along with Bank of Ireland, National environmental Services (NSS), Diageo Guinness, Meaghers Pharmacy, and Windsor Motors." Azure Captain Marion Peltret remarked that, 'After our only second season as a team, it's the first time we're bringing a full women+ squad to an IGR competition. We are excited to see the newer players discover what an international tournament is. Since the creation of the team, our strength has always been to have each others' backs no matter what happens on the field. Since Bingham, we've become stronger as a team and are planning on bringing this to Oslo." Green captain Graham Flaherty added, 'There is always great excitement within the team when we travel to an international tournament such as Union Cup. The tournament provides a fantastic opportunity for us to test ourselves against fellow IGR teams from across Europe. We are particularly looking forward to coming up against some of the French and English teams who we have played in the past, including teams from Paris, Toulouse, Montpellier and London. Our ambition for Oslo is to surpass our 2023 third place finish by making it to the final and hopefully lifting the Union Cup.' Navy Captain Allan Rowe reflected, 'Union Cup 2023 saw the Navy team enter a new era - the tournament saw early glimpses of our team bonds. Last year's tournament, the Bingham Cup, was the most successful to date for the Navy team as we won 3 out of 5 games. Looking ahead to the Union Cup in Oslo, we are bringing 14 returning players from our Bingham 2024 team. This is the most experienced Navy team in recent years. We are no longer a team that hopes for wins, but one that expects to compete." Teal Captain Paul Cashman noted that, 'The Teals are a mixed team of experienced and novice rugby players, our focus has been on building skill, gaining confidence and growing as a squad. Now we're bringing that energy to Union Cup Oslo 2025. Heading to Oslo we want to be competitive and win games - we believe that we can do both. The Teals Union Cup isn't just about trophies, it's a celebration of both who we are as LGBT+ inclusive rugby players and how far our development has come. The Teals are ready for Oslo, ready to give it everything we have, and ready to show them who we are." The Union Cup 2025 will mark the first outing for the club's new jerseys made by Macron and designed by club member Alan McArthur. The Emerald Warriors won't be the only Irish team heading to Oslo, both the Cork Hellhounds and the Belfast Azlans will also be sending Mens+ squads to compete. Together, they will form the largest Irish contingent ever to take part in an IGR tournament.
