Author: Scott De Buitléir

Cork to host first LGBT-Inclusive Rugby match of 2023 against Glasgow

Posted on by Scott De Buitléir in Press Release

Cork Hellhounds to host Glasgow Raptors for friendly match

Cork, Wednesday 18 January – Cork Hellhounds RFC, Cork’s LGBT-inclusive rugby team, is preparing to welcome their fellow inclusive team, Glasgow Raptors, to Cork for a challenge match on Saturday, January 28. 

The Cork Hellhounds were founded in 2020 as an inclusive rugby club, with the support of both the Gay Project (Cork’s community centre for gay, bi, and queer men) and Munster Rugby. They have since become a core part of Cork’s LGBT community, becoming affiliated by the IRFU and International Gay Rugby, and hosting tag rugby tournaments as part of the Cork Pride festival. 

In preparation to take part in the IGR Union Cup tournament in Birmingham in April, the Hellhounds have invited the Glasgow Raptors to Cork to play in Tramore Valley Park. Kick-off is at 1pm, and all are welcome to support. 

“We’re excited to see the Glasgow Raptors come to Cork for our first official fixture of the new year”, said Scott De Buitléir, Vice-President and Communications Officer for Cork Hellhounds RFC. “Last year, we travelled to Belfast to play against another IGR team, the Belfast Azlans, where we gained a hard-fought win at the University of Ulster. As we prepare for the Union Cup, we’ll be testing our skills on the pitch with the Raptors.” 

The Hellhounds are also running a free “Intro to Rugby” training series for beginners at their training grounds on the Ringmahon Road every Sunday until the end of February. Registration is free and all are welcome, including those from the LGBT community and their allies. 

For more information, visit corkhellhounds.ie or search for Cork Hellhounds RFC on Instagram or Facebook. 

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Notes to the Editor: 

  • For interviews, contact Scott De Buitléir on comms@corkhellhounds.ie
  • Cork Hellhounds RFC is an LGBT-inclusive rugby club, offering both men’s contact rugby and mixed-gender tag rugby teams. Founded in 2020, the Hellhounds are the third inclusive rugby club on the island of Ireland, following the Emerald Warriors in Dublin and the Belfast Azlans (part of Ophir RFC in Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim)
  • International Gay Rugby is an organisation of gay- and inclusive rugby clubs worldwide, of which Cork Hellhounds became a member in 2021. 
  • Gay Project is a community centre which supports gay, bi, and queer men in the Greater Cork area. 

Cork Hellhounds Win First Away Game in Belfast

Posted on by Scott De Buitléir in Uncategorized
Members of Cork Hellhounds RFC at University of Ulster Jordanstown

PRESS RELEASE

The Cork Hellhounds RFC had their first win in Belfast last weekend against the Belfast Azlans, part of Ophir RFC. In Saturday’s Challenge Match, held at the University of Ulster’s Jordanstown campus, the Cork-based LGBT-inclusive rugby club won 41-27.

“The win over the weekend really showed us how far along we’ve come,” said Adam O’Brien, Founder and President of the Cork Hellhounds. “It shows that the hard work does pay off. We are going to use this boost of confidence towards future games and welcoming more players and supporters to the club.”

Established in October 2020, the team aims to encourage and promote the benefits of rugby among the LGBT community and their allies. Last year, the club became officially ratified by Munster Rugby & the IRFU, and they are also members of International Gay Rugby, a global association of gay and inclusive rugby clubs which compete in tournaments around the world. They have also hosted a tag rugby tournament during Cork Pride last year, and have played full-contact games and joint training sessions with the Sunday’s Well Rebels mixed ability rugby team, part of Sunday’s Well RFC.

LGBT-inclusive sporting groups in Cork have continued to grow over the last number of years with groups such as the Cork Hellhounds RFC, Cork Rebels FC, and Frontrunners Cork offering weekly training sessions to their growing amount of members.

The Hellhounds are also launching their Intro to Rugby series this Sunday, 6th February, at 11am at their Mahon Rugby Grounds. The club welcomes anyone who is curious about rugby to try out this 6-week training series in a welcoming environment, especially for those who have no experience playing the sport and want to try something new.

The Cork Hellhounds train twice weekly at both the Glen Resource & Sports Centre on the and at their pitches in Mahon, and continue to actively invite new players regardless of previous rugby experience. For more information, you can email hello@corkhellhounds.ie or follow @corkhellhounds on Instagram or Twitter.

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Notes to Editor:

Adam O’Brien is founder and President of the Cork Hellhounds RFC. He is available for interview.

Scott De Buitléir is Vice President of the Cork Hellhounds RFC. He is available for interviews in either Irish or English.

Cork Hellhounds RFC is affiliated with and supported by The Gay Project, a Cork-based community organisation that works to ensure that gay, bisexual, trans and queer men are enabled to participate fully in Ireland’s social, economic, cultural, political and artistic life.