Rugby League Ireland

The seed of modern-day rugby league in Ireland was sown when in 1989 the Dublin Blues were formed and founded by Brian Corrigan. They consisted mostly of rugby union players who wanted to stay fit over the summer. The Blues competed against touring teams from Britain and surprised many of the touring sides with the quality of their play, scoring many memorable victories over British amateur opposition. In early 1995 the British Rugby Football League development arm financed the position of a Development Officer for Ireland, providing a massive boost to the development of the game. In the same year Ireland formed its very first competitive team to play against the USA in Washington on St. Patrick's Day. Ireland won 24-22 with Wigan legend Joe Lydon coming on as a replacement. He had gone out there as a manager but was drafted in to play. Terry Flanagan, Huddersfield Coach and former Great Britain player and Niel Wood, Director of British Student Rugby League, coached the team..