News

Highlights: October 2025

Tackle Your Feelings

TYF teamed up with Brittany Hogan and Rónan Kelleher to launch the revamped Tackle Your Feelings (TYF) Schools online teaching platform and website. The new TYF platform represents the most significant evolution since its launch in 2020.

New features focus on enhanced user experience and improved accessibility. It also integrates extensive feedback from students and teachers, alongside robust academic research and evaluation from the University of Limerick’s School, Child and Youth Mental Health and Well-being Lab (SCY-LAB), including Anna McHale’s PhD which specifically examines the use of role models in the TYF Schools programme for adolescent wellbeing promotion.

Rugby Players Ireland Foundation in Chicago

Several representatives of Rugby Players Ireland were in Chicago where a group of former players hosted a special lunch celebrating the work of the Rugby Players Ireland Foundation, ahead of Ireland’s game with the All Blacks. 

Driven by former player Barry O’Mahony, the event brought together many familiar faces united by a shared commitment to player wellbeing and long-term brain health.

Proudly supported by the Irish American Partnership, it was also a fantastic opportunity to highlight the community spirit of rugby on both sides of the Atlantic🌏

The Rugby Players Ireland Foundation is a registered charity that helps rugby players lead healthy and fulfilling lives during their professional playing careers, and beyond. 

International Collaboration

Pamela Gilpin attended the latest Education & Training Committee Meeting in Birmingham along with representatives from sports across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Facilitated by the Professional Players Federation, the group discussed a wide range of initiatives to support athletes with their personal development. 

Achievement

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Our congratulations to Aoife Wafer who was named the goss.ie Sportswoman of the Year ahead of her moved to Harlequins. Sadly, Wafer’s international captain Edel McMahon has been ruled out for the season to recovr from two operations in the aftermath of the Rugby World Cup. 

It was also a good month for Tom Farrell. Following his call-up to Andy Farrell’s squad, he signed a two-year contract extension to keep him at Munster until 2028. Farrell joined Munster last year and won an array of individual accolades, as well as being nominated for Rugby Players Ireland’s Players’ Player of the Year. 

After 22 months on the sidelines, Edwin Edogbo made his much anticipated Munster Rugby comeback. Alongside Brian Gleeson, Edogbo was called into the Irish squad as cover for the trip to Chicago before picking up a short-term knock. Meanwhile, teammate Roman Salanoa made his return to action as he lined out for Nenagh Ormond RFC. Salanoa has not played for the province since the victorious URC Grand Final in 2023. 

There were also numerous provincial debuts throughout October. Most notably, Bobby Sheehan (younger brother of Dan) made his bow for Leinster Rugby alongside an array of new caps, while Bryn Ward made his Ulster Rugby debut as he lined out with elder brother Zac against the Lions. It was the first time the pair had the opportunity to play together. 

PorterShed

We’re proud to announce our new partnership with PorterShed, one of Ireland’s leading innovation hubs, connecting our players with the country’s thriving tech and start-up community.

This partnership is about creating opportunities, helping players explore life beyond the game by engaging with entrepreneurs, innovators, and mentors shaping Ireland’s future economy.

We first teamed up with PorterShed several years ago for workshops that sparked curiosity and new ideas. Now, we’re reigniting that connection, giving players access to an inspiring ecosystem built on collaboration, creativity, and ambition.

World Mental Health Day

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

For World Mental Health Day we collaborated with the Global Rugby Players Foundation on a piece with Ruth O’Reilly who spoke openly about the role of identity as you transition to life beyond the game. 

You can see the content with Ruth, here. 

Coinciding with World Mental Health Day, Andrew Porter joined Patrick Kielty on The Late Late Show following the publication of his book Heart on My Sleeve.

Incidentally, Andrew’s book has been nominated for the Irish Sports Book of the Year at the An Post Book Awards alongside former teammate Conor Murray, who released his book Cloud 9: MY Life in Rugby recently. Andy Farrell’s book The Only Way I Know, is also shortlisted. 

Clubhouse

Our congratulations to Rory Best who has returned to Ulster Rugby as General Manager. 

Former Connacht Rugby player Andrew Browne has been appointed as the Ireland U20 coach for the 2025/26 season. 

Paddy Kelly and Vision Solar took home two awards at the Sigenergy Ireland Awards 2025. 

We really enjoyed a recent episode of the Entrepreneur Experiment, which saw Gary Fox sit down with Steve Crosbie, founder of Fad Saoil Saunas. Steve shares how he rebuilt his identity after he brought his rugby career to an early end, how sport shaped his approach to business, and why starting small (and freezing cold) can sometimes lead to the warmest success.