News

Highlights: July 2025

29th August 2025

Categories: Develop, Engage, Represent

World Cup Kick-Off

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady

An Irish side jointly led by Edel McMahon and Sam Monaghan hit the ground running as they kicked off their Rugby World Cup adventure in Franklin’s Gardens with a comprehensive win over Japan. On a day when Ireland had 22 Rugby World Cup debutants, 21-year-old out-half Dannah O’Brien landed all of her conversions as Ireland achieved their highest points tally on the World Cup stage.

Rookie Camp

In mid-August we were at Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort for our latest Rookie Camp. 52 academy players from across the four provinces were in attendance for a two-day induction course to explore the challenges and realities of life as a professional athlete.

A number of wide ranging workshops were facilitated and kindly provided by our friends at Bank of Ireland, Active Consent, Signify Group, Epic Global Solutions, Tackle Your Feelings and Santosha Wellness. Former player Tommy Bowe also delivered a session on Media Awareness, while Andrew Conway and Peter Smyth called by to share their own insights into the professional the game.

Our thanks to the IRFU for their continued support of the Player Development Programme.

Lions Prevail

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

After eight weeks and 10 games, the British and Irish Lions is over for another four years.

The tour was dominated by Irish representation on and off the field, including 12 Test Lions in Dan Sheehan, Rónan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong, Andrew Porter, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Bundee Aki, James Lowe and Hugo Keenan.

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Tadhg Beirne, the reigning Rugby Players Ireland Players’ Player of the Year, had the distinction of being named the official Lions Player of the Series. Meanwhile, Tadhg Furlong equalled Wales’s Alun Wyn Jones in starting nine consecutive Lions Test matches. Only the legendary RH Williams, Tony O’Reilly, Graham Price and Willie John McBride have made more, leaving Furlong’s Lions legend status secure.

890 Expeditions

Ahead of his trip to support former teammate Hugo Keenan in Australia, Harry McNulty spoke to us about the launch of 890 Expeditions, and how he now dedicates his boundless energy into experience led travel.

The Ireland Sports Fund

The Ireland Sports Fund aims to support education and career development opportunities off the pitch for Ireland’s rugby players. Led by former Irish 7s captain Billy Dardis, it is supported by the Rugby Players Ireland Foundation.

This first application window is for male contracted and academy players in Ireland, and those retired within the last 12 months, has opened.

Female players will have their own dedicated window upon the conclusion of the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Tackle Your Feelings

“While asking for help was the toughest step, once I did, things began to shift. It started with telling just one person I trusted. That led to real support and, ultimately, to hope.”

As she stepped up preparations for Leinster Rugby’s interprovincial campaign, Kathy Baker spoke with Tackle Your Feelings about her rollercoaster rugby journey which has recently encompassed two ACL injuries and a comeback that saw her go to the Olympic Games in Paris last year.

Annual Golf Classic

Over 30 current and former players lined out for the Rugby Players Ireland Annual Golf Classic at the new Druids Glen course.

1st Place: Josh van der Flier & Heineken Ireland

2nd Place: Rugby Players Ireland feat. Shane Byrne, Michael Jackson, Simon Keogh & Bryan Mollen

3rd Place: Rónan Kelleher & CRM Interior Fit-Outs

Longest Drive: Audrey O’Flynn

Signify

Rugby Players Ireland, the IRFU and the four provinces have appointed Signify Group and its industry-leading service, Threat Matrix, to provide year-round protection against online abuse and threats for participants right across its game.

As part of this comprehensive three-year partnership, Men’s, Women’s, Academy, and Provincial players, key IRFU administrators, team coaches and match officials will also be safeguarded by the service, as will close family members of players and officials who also need support.

Read a report on the partnership here.

Beyond the Game

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie

Our congratulations to former XVs and 15s player Hannah Tyrrell who signed off on her elite sporting career by winning an All-Ireland Senior Ladies’ Football title with her native Dublin. Sadly, Tyrrell picked up a knee injury in the game which brought her involvement to an end. However, true to the sheer determination of an Irish sporting icon, Tyrrell insisted on walking off the pitch.

As he brought his playing days to an end, Gavin Thornbury reflected in his retirement statement that while his “rugby career was never easy, [it] was always worth it.” After seven years with Connacht Rugby, the former Leinster Rugby academy player enjoyed spells with Northampton Saints and Utah Warriors Rugby.

Former Irish 7s player Conor Phillips‘ summer vacation in the Love Island villa came to an end.

It has been a pleasure to see so many former player catch up on the far side of the world over the course of the Lions series. While several players were in Australia on Lions-related commercial engagements, Shane Byrne led the British & Irish Legends in a two-game series. The squad featured a host of former players including Tom Court, Craig Gilroy, Jamie Hagan and Harry McNulty, while Sean McNulty, who most recently lined out for the Miami Sharks, was also involved.

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