Category: Press Release

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. 

— ENDS — 

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 to Host Pride Tag Rugby Tournament At Musgrave Park

Posted on by admin in Press Release

Cork Hellhounds RFC, with the support of Munster Rugby, will host their second annual Cork Pride Tag Rugby Tournament on Saturday, July 23rd from 12.30pm in Musgrave Park.

We are inviting individuals or groups to take part in a fun afternoon of tag rugby, where you will be put into teams to play non-contact rugby with members and friends of the Cork Hellhounds. 

Whether you are new to rugby or have played tag before, you are welcome to try tag rugby with the Hellhounds and friends from across the LGBT+ and Munster Rugby communities. Supporters are also very welcome to come along and get behind the event where refreshments will be provided on the
day. 

If you have never played tag rugby before and don’t know the rules, please note that tag rugby is non-contact and Munster Rugby Development staff will be available also to conduct a 30-minute ‘Intro to Rugby’ workshop on the day. 

Munster Rugby’s Rugby Participation and Operations Manager, Damon Urlich, said:

“We are delighted to support the Cork Hellhounds as they host their second annual Pride Tag Rugby Tournament. With both the Cork and Limerick Pride festivals taking place in the month of July, we are very happy to be able to help the Hellhounds with their own celebrations in the province. Community and inclusivity are at the heart of what we do in Munster so we are really looking forward to the 23rd of July in Musgrave Park which is sure to be a memorable day.”

Scott De Buitléir, Vice-President of Cork Hellhounds RFC, said:

“We are delighted to have this year’s Cork Pride Tag Rugby Tournament in Musgrave Park, and to be supported so proudly by Munster Rugby. It’s a great way for the local rugby community to have some fun playing tag as part of the Cork Pride festivities, but also to show that a warm welcome awaits LGBTQ+ people in Cork to get involved with the sport. Rugby is an inclusive sport at heart, and we’re proud to show that with our partners in Munster Rugby.”


How To Register

Register as an individual or a team by clicking here.

  • If you sign up as an individual, you will be assigned a team on the day.
  • If you are registering a team, please contact hello@corkhellhounds.ie after you receive your
  • Eventbrite ticket and confirm the number of players in your group.
  • Please present your Eventbrite ticket upon arrival to Musgrave Park.
  • Don’t forget to tag @Corkpride, @corkhellhounds and @munsterrugby when posting on social media.