Tipp Touch-Rugby players impress at International Youth Cup

The 2025 Atlantic Youth Touch Cup was the largest international Touch Rugby tournament ever held in Ireland with 45 international youth teams from 12 countries descending on the University of Limerick.

And for one young player from Tipperary, it was a dream come true as she got to represent her country for the first time.

Kayla McNamara from Roscrea was selected on the Ireland Girls 18s squad. They faced tough competition against England, Wales, France, and South Africa. They suffered narrow defeats against South Africa and Wales that prevented them from getting a shot a medal, but they would all have gained invaluable international experience for future competitions.

Kayla was ever present for Ireland, starting all five games in the competition and she also bagged two tries against South Africa and France. She plays rugby with Roscrea RFC as does Jack Delaney.

Jack is from Borris-in-Ossory in Laois, and was a member of the Ireland Boys U15s team that came third in their division, beating Lebanon 10-2 in the play-off to claim the bronze medal.

Jack and his teammates were the first Irish Boys 15s team to ever compete internationally with all bar one making their international debuts.

Despite this, the boys showed great team spirit and skill throughout the tournament. They were unlucky in fact not to finish higher, as they lost narrowly 7-6 to Wales in a very tight game.

Jack did not get on the scoresheet for Ireland but impressed throughout the tournament with his strong defence. As well playing with Roscrea RFC, Jack also plays with his school, Cistercian College. In order to prepare for the tournament, he had been training with Buccaneers Touch Rugby in Athlone.

Hosting the Atlantic Cup in Limerick was the brainchild of Tournament Director Michelle Mulcahy. Michelle resides in Ballina, and she and her organising committee worked for six months to realise the tournament with the support of tournament partners, Fáilte Ireland and Limerick City & County Council.

“We couldn't have wished for the Atlantic Cup to go better from standard of Touch across all categories, good weather and a great atmosphere, the cherry on top was the achievement of our Irish teams! The future of Touch is bright.... for potential Olympics in 2032,” Mulcahy said.

All the details of the Atlantic Cup competitions, as well as live streams of several games involving Kayla and Jack can be found at www.internationaltouch.org/events/atlantic-youth-touch-cup/2025/

Anyone who wishes to give Touch Rugby a go can contact Munster Touch Rugby on Facebook or Instagram.