Connacht rugby clubs Galwegians and Corinthians are renewing a long-time rivalry with a new Festival of Rugby to take place on St Patrick’s Day.
The clubs are reviving the Glynn Cup which was first played 50 years ago between the senior sides. This time, however, the clubs will meet at all age groups from u-13 up, and the club with the most points from the 10 games, will be presented with the Glynn Cup.
The Glynn Cup was first played on March 17, 1959, in honour of former IRFU president Johnny Glynn who died in office, and continued until 1999 when Corinthians won their 21st title.
“This is a first for club rugby anywhere in Ireland,” says Paddy Flynn of Corinthians. “The city’s two AIB League clubs will do battle in a Ryder Cup match-play style contest with every team in the club having a part to play.”
Corinthians will host this year’s event and the clubs will meet at all age groups, including ladies, minis, youth, and adult level. In all there will be ten 60-minute games taking place between 11am and 5pm, while in keeping with IRFU guidelines, the Mini rugby games will be non-competitive. They will act as a curtainraiser to the senior match, which kicks off at 4pm.
It is 50 years ago since the Glynn Cup was first played, and up until a decade ago the trophy took pride of place in the Connacht calendar with Corinthians winning 21 titles and Galwegians 17.
Galwegians president Mick Casserly said the new event was good for rugby, the clubs, and for the country - a first for the west of Ireland, which he hoped would attract 700 people to Corinthian Park on St Patrick’s Day.
Adrian Glynn, representing the Glynn family, said his father had been was “totally emersed” in rugby all his young life, and was secretary of the Connacht Branch and then IRFU president 50 years ago. However he passed away at the start of his year in office, aged 46.
“He was a great friend of both Corinthians and Galwegians and after his passing the clubs got together to play this cup in his memory. This new festival will be a great occasion for both clubs,” he said.
Corinthians president Brendan Duffy said an extra dimension would be added to the event with the competition for the Langan Cup for the youth teams, while a collection would also be made for the IRFU Charitable Trust.
