Rugby League Ireland 2010 Launch

Rugby League Ireland (RLI) today held the official launch of the 2010 Carnegie League at the impressive Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.

2010 will see the league's format being revamped with the introduction of provincial leagues in Leinster, Munster and Ulster with the provincial champions progressing to the All Ireland Play-Offs.

2010 will also see the return of the Inter-provincial Championship which will see the provinces competing against each other for bragging rights.

Speaking on the new look league RLI Director Gordon Matthews expressed his satisfaction with the structure.

"This is the first time ever we will have three leagues of clubs competing for the All Ireland Championship. It's a huge step forward from last year when we had just one league with only six teams."

He also acknowledged the work of the staff in the organisation. "This step forward is due completely to the hard work put in by our General Manger Callum Irving and Development Officers Wayne Kelly and Brendan Guilfoyle."

Callum Irving showed his delight at the growth of the game in Ireland when he spoke of the expansion.

"There are new clubs emerging as well as clubs which have been bubbling under the surface coming back into the game."

He also noted that the inter-provincial competition will act as a stepping stone for players to get into the international set up.

"Hopefully the advent of the inter provincial game will give players a platform to get onto the A Team or international and possibly pick up professional contracts with clubs in the UK as two players did last season."

Gordon Matthews closed the launch by thanking the Rugby Football League and in particular Niel Wood for their helping hand in the growth of the game in Ireland.

Fixtures for all three competitions as well as the inter-provincial series will be published on Monday.