JC

[JC @JC200022]

So What’s Wrong With Women’s Rugby in Ireland

Why It Is This Way

A 🧵 of 🧵

👇

[JC @JC200022]

@andrewyoung82 I’m not sure

It presumes the same audience

It’s a Venn diagram with little crossover

Most of both audiences would leave for the other game

Different times but was there in 2014 when the crowd bailed after the men’s game

The women will sell it out & don’t need a double header

[JC @JC200022]

This is going to be really interesting

I suspect Ireland v England at Aviva outsells Munster v Ulster by a factor of 2 to 3

Different customer (player) & different audience (supporter)

Different approach needed to both

Aka they are not small men

[Caolán Scully @Caolan_Scully]

Unfortunately, both of Ireland's home games in the 2026 Women's Six Nations have been scheduled on the same afternoon as URC interpros

Ireland v France <--> Leinster v Connacht
Ireland v England <--> Munster v Ulster

Really disappointing

[JC @JC200022]

So this weekend…

The 7th in 122 years

I knew 3 of the 6 before me

Two have passed, including one of my closest friends

And after years of pushing, women’s rugby finally gets to our national stadium

As I head stateside today, it’s a pretty decent way to close this chapter ☘️

[Eanna @Eanna00]

Even with tens of thousands of people fewer yet the atmosphere for the women is other worldly compared to a sold out men's game.

That's what happens when fans have access ☘️🌊
#IREvSCO

[Pat McCarry @patmccarry]

"Dad was my best friend. He is the reason I got to where I am today, and I would constantly reference him because he was a huge part of my life and always will be," Anna McGann told me, of her father, Mick ❤️

She also spoke about the tattoo that means the most to her 🫶💚

[JC @JC200022]

One of the many reasons to give each their own franchise for women’s rugby…

[Tom Savage @threeredkings]

Cork/Limerick bickering is one of the biggest silent killers within Munster Rugby. Be they in backrooms, sitting on business class flights, muttering on sidelines or in meetings, or social media — be deeply suspicious of anyone pushing it.

[garrettog @garrettog00]

Women's sport has lost such a strong advocate. He inspired us all to be our best selves.
We are all broken hearted.

[JC @JC200022]

Very saddened to hear of Ronan Griffey’s passing

He did immense work for womens & girls rugby in Wicklow & across Ireland

Thoughtful, considerate & a positive impact on so many people

We spoke almost weekly, I’ll miss him greatly

Thoughts with Ruth, his girls & all in Wicklow

[Squidge Rugby @SquidgeRugby]

In 2019, Wales were the number one rugby team in the world. Five years later, they were on an 18-match, 2-year losing streak with no hope in sight. This is the story of how negligence, incompetence, and austerity tore apart one of rugby's proudest nations-
https://t.co/RsKM2LZmWy

[JC @JC200022]

@SquidgeRugby This is superb, boys

[JC @JC200022]

@LeinsterClub @scrumming_ten FWIW, they don’t go over for money - no one ever has

They go cos for system that built around them, that facilitates work/study/career/life, no huge commutes to train/play, a competition model that develops vs 5 different coaches over a 12 mth season..

https://t.co/RPygczpudZ

[Irish Rugby @IrishRugby]

A landmark in green awaits.

[JC @JC200022]

Some club 💙🤍🙌🙌

[Munster Rugby @Munsterrugby]

"We want to be a thriving hub of the community." 🗣️

The #MunsterStartsHere video series has returned to once again highlight the fantastic work that goes on behind the scenes to develop the game across the province.

In this episode, we visited @RFCThomond to learn about their redevelopment projects and the impact they will have on the surrounding communities 🤝

Watch the full video here 👉 https://t.co/G8jAtMB1aj

#SUAF 🔴

[JC @JC200022]

Latest piece in @IndoSport

Between this new AIL structure announced & this piece published, the structure was changed

The key bit is examining the root cause why such a poor decision was made & followed by a reactive decision that isn’t optimal either

https://t.co/jtGQONzdWG

[Irish Rugby @IrishRugby]

The next steps to strengthen the future of the women's club game in Ireland. 🤝

Read more ➡️ https://t.co/MLcU6KeZsy

[JC @JC200022]

More reality of being a pro female player in Ireland

This is not in the interests of athletes, coaches, growing our sport, the women’s rugby community, the provinces or the IRFU

They’ll all say this OTR

Who’s gonna tell the emperor about their clothes?

https://t.co/owuwOmTfOX

[JC @JC200022]

The hidden reality of being a “pro” female rugby player in Ireland

Huge commutes
Long days
Minimal or no pay

Cos we copied the men’s provincial model

We are in a battle for athletes & this won’t attract or retain them

Wait for the reveal at end 👇

https://t.co/Ksa7j0qaQj

[Fitbizexplosion @fitbizexplosion]

@JC200022 I must be ex directory JC, or invisible on the touch lines or training pitches.......

[JC @JC200022]

@fitbizexplosion You’ve been doing this damn near 20 years in multiple clubs & multiple universities

With that experience & expertise, the committees & staff making decisions must have you on speed dial

Would you go on a committee? Do you have any professional experience outside of rugby?

[JC @JC200022]

@fitbizexplosion You’ve been doing this damn near 20 years in multiple clubs & multiple universities

With that experience & expertise, the committees & staff making decisions must have you on speed dial

Would you go on a committee? Do you have any professional experience outside of rugby?

[JC @JC200022]

“We decided NOT to have a women’s league based on the same principles as the men’s game”

“… a clean sheet of paper”

If only we had someone who knew the SA system & could harness the community in Ireland 😏

Build with our female athletes in mind

And not bankrupt the Union…

[SuperSport Rugby @SSRugby]

🗣️ "We will pay the salaries of the players, that will give the women the opportunity to concentrate full time on rugby."

Rian Oberholzer explains the professionalization of the women's league in South Africa, centrally controlled by SA Rugby.

#SSRugby | #HereForHer

[JC @JC200022]

The hidden reality of being a “pro” female rugby player in Ireland

Huge commutes
Long days
Minimal or no pay

Cos we copied the men’s provincial model

We are in a battle for athletes & this won’t attract or retain them

Wait for the reveal at end 👇

https://t.co/Ksa7j0qaQj