Ballincollig RFC 'shocked' after AGM motion withdrawn

Women's All-Ireland League club Ballincollig RFC has hit out at the Munster Rugby branch after a motion that would have bestowed senior status on the club was removed from the agenda of the province’s AGM.

All men’s and women’s team operating in the AIL in Connacht, Ulster and Leinster have 'senior’ status, which provides better access to committees and increased international ticket allocations.

The motion was withdrawn ahead of the meeting in Nenagh yesterday with Munster Rugby saying it was "deferred" to allow for "appropriate consultation with all key stakeholders".

In a statement, Ballincollig said they were "shocked and disappointed", while director of rugby Denis Stevenson told the Irish Examiner: "We feel let down. We were told this would be in hand, there were 130 people in the room and when it came to the motions we were told that the women’s motions were withdrawn. No reason given."

The Munster branch said that it supports the motion but a review of relevant bye-laws and engagement with the stakeholders was needed.

"We will be seeking an urgent meeting with Munster Rugby and the IRFU to see what steps can be taken to rectify this and bring our province in line with the others who recognise their Women’s AIL clubs as senior," added the County Cork club.

Former Ireland players Ciara Griffin and Fiona Hayes, and current Ireland forwards Cliodhna Moloney and Anna Caplice are among those who have criticised the withdrawal of the motion.

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