Young Laois players represent Ireland in International Touch Rugby tournament

Three young players from Co. Laois will take the field to represent Ireland next weekend in the 2025 Atlantic Youth Touch Cup. This competition will be the largest international Touch Rugby tournament ever to take place in Ireland with 45 teams from 12 countries descending on the University of Limerick from Friday to Sunday.

Keelin O’Brien from Ballyroan has been picked for the Ireland Mixed U/15 squad. Keelin started playing Touch only this year after attending Ireland trials early in the year. She has played rugby with Portlaoise RFC as well as with her school, Kilkenny College.

Keelin is very conscious of the great opportunity that awaits. “I feel honoured to represent and play for my country and really hope that it inspires other young people, especially girls across Ireland, to step out of their comfort zone and just go for it.” 

Another Portlaoise RFC player selected is Erin Fitzpatrick from Mountrath who will play with the Ireland Girls U/18 squad in the tournament. Erin has also represented North Midlands in rugby.

Both girls play Touch on Thursday nights at Portlaoise RFC as well as training with their respective Ireland squads.

Erin has this to say about the tournament: “International tournaments expose us to a variety of opponents and playing styles so I am looking forward to the challenge of adapting and improving my game to the best of my ability to match these various styles.” 

Jack Delaney from Borris-in-Ossory has been selected for the Ireland Boys U/15 squad which is a great achievement as he only began playing the game this year. Jack is a student at Cistercian College Roscrea and he also plays with Roscrea RFC.

After attending trials for the Ireland squads back in January, Jack impressed the selectors enough to get asked to join the training squad before recently making the final squad. In order to prepare for the tournament, Jack has been training regularly with the Buccaneers Touch Rugby club in Athlone as well with the Boys 15s squad.

Best wishes to Jack, Keelin and Erin as they represent their country for the first time.

Touch Rugby, or Touch as it is usually called, is a fast and exciting non-contact version of rugby. It originated in Australia where it is now the number one participation sport. Although it is mainly played as a mixed and social sport, there is a competitive side to it also with over 40 countries competing in European Championships and World Cups.

In Australia and New Zealand, the benefits of Touch for developing rugby player’s skills, fitness and game awareness have long been recognised. Players such as Leinster’s recent recruit Rieko Ioane and Charlotte Caslick would have a strong background in the game.

Following the excitement and interest after the international training session, Portlaoise RFC was delighted to see the return of Touch Rugby on Thursday 5 June where we welcomed a mixed group of players, who regardless of age, gender or experience enjoyed a fun evening on pitch.

Touch Rugby is a fast paced, and non-contact version of rugby which builds on skill, speed and spatial awareness which is growing in popularity across Ireland and many other countries. With simpler playing rules, no hard contact and relying on teamwork and ball skills, Touch is suitable for players of all ages, gender and ability, seasoned and new players.

The Atlantic Cup action can be followed on the Federation of International Touch website at https://www.internationaltouch.org/events/atlantic-youth-touch-cup/2025/.

There are fixtures, results, team line-ups here as well as links to livestreams of many of the games on the Federation of International Touch (FIT) YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/@internationaltouch?si=t1QXiNq83DiOpvzP Anyone in Laois who wishes make new friends, keep fit and try the game can come along to Portlaoise RFC on Thursday nights from 8–9pm. All are welcome and no previous sporting experience is necessary. Call Lynn O’Brien-Crosland on 086 7980744 for more information.