This year will see Shannon RFC host its 12th annual Good Friday Festival of Rugby. With no signs of slowing down, the festival continues to grow.

Shannon RFC’s Good Friday Festival of Rugby began in 2015 when they hosted a touring side from Turin, Italy. In order to give the Italian visitors a real flavour of Irish rugby, the club made the decision to host a small rugby festival featuring 24 teams ranging from U10s to U14s. It was a huge success and with that the decision was made to make it an annual occurrence.

Important Updates: 8/JAN/2026 – Booking is now OPEN using the links above and below.

The Plan

Date of Festival: Friday 3rd April, Good Friday 2026

Age categories : 
Boys: Under 10, Under 11, Under 12
Girls: Under 12 & Under 14

VENUE: SHANNON RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB COONAGH LIMERICK V94 H263 
(Not Thomond Park)

Itinerary:

  • All team(s) arrive in Shannon RFC by 9.30am, ready for registration.
  • Please remind all drivers that our Grounds are in a residential area so please drive with Caution and respect our neighbours.
  • On arrival Shannon RFC representatives in visi-vest to direct teams to registration and playing areas. One coach can Check in to the Cabin area on behalf of team.
  • Coaches and referees meet at cabin at 10am for briefing.
  • Teams assemble at their assigned pitch from 10.20am, ready for first kick-off at 10.30am.
  • Games are 12 Minutes (No Half Time)
  • Games will start and end on a hooter
  • Free tea, coffee, available for coaches in the cabin.
  • Whilst lunch will be provided, ALL PLAYERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING A PACKED LUNCH, it will be a long day.
  • Players/coaches/supporters can purchase Refreshments, Hot Dogs etc at the shop on site.
  • Weather: We encourage all visiting teams to bring pop up tents for gear, Weather forecast is decent but this is Ireland!
  • Medical Information: There will be a ‘Red Cross’ ambulance on site from 10:00 until the closing of the event.
  • Coach will be added to the Festival WhatsApp Group. Any queries, please email  or message the WhatsApp group on the day. 
Email Underage Contact

Traffic Plan:  

Club Coaches 
We have allocated two car park spaces per team e.g Shannon RFC U11 Boys have two teams entered – Allocated 4 car spaces in Coonagh. 

We ask all coaches to arrive between 9 – 9.15 and ensure your team is registered as soon as  possible.  Each Coach (Per Team) must Compete the Following Google Forms by Wednesday 1st of April 9pm with the following Information: 

https://forms.gle/THsq5gpD6sSmWgUL7

Passes will be issued ahead of the blitz which must be shown to our Traffic Management Control Team  

TRAVEL & PARKING INFORMATION
Buses (Strongly Encouraged for Teams taking part)

Buses should arrive directly at Coonagh Sports Field by 9.15am
Address: Coonagh Road, Limerick – V94 F854

Buses will be permitted to drop teams and park at the Coonagh Grounds.

Important:
If travelling by bus, please send the team name, a contact phone number, and the bus driver’s contact number to Ian Coll 087-7464887 or Mike McInerney 086-8064179 in advance.

Cars
Due to limited parking at Coonagh, cars will not be permitted to park at the venue.
All cars must park at Tesco Shopping Centre
A shuttle bus service will operate from Tesco from 9.15am onwards
Shuttle buses will run every 7 minutes, ensuring all players arrive at Coonagh in time for the 10.30am start.

Leaving  

The Shuttle Bus service will run throughout the day for anyone who has arrived by Car.
Bus – When you team is ready to leave, please contact one of our Traffic Control Team

Address / Eircode: 
SHANNON RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB COONAGH WEST
LIMERICK
V94 H263

You can use the Google Maps or Eircode site Link Below also for easier navigation to our location for the Good Friday Tournament. 

Eircode Site
Google Maps

Morning Pitch Layout

Pitch Layout Afternoon

This year will use the Tournify APP to track match schedules and results.

Use the buttons below to download the APP.

APP Help: 
https://help.tournifyapp.com/en/articles/9088065-use-the-android-ios-app

Apple APP
Android APP

Morning Session Itinerary (MINI) Boys U10, U11, U12 Girls U12: 

  • All team(s) arrive in Shannon RFC by 9.15am, ready for registration.
  • One coach can sign in on behalf of team.  
  • On arrival Shannon RFC representatives in visi-vest to direct teams to registration and playing area. 
  • Coaches meet at cabin at 9:30 am for briefing.
  • Teams assemble at their assigned pitch from 9:50am, ready for first kick-off at 10.00am.

Afternoon Session (Youths) Itinerary Girls U14: 

  • All team(s) arrive in Shannon RFC by 1.30, ready for registration.
  • One coach can sign in on behalf of team.   
  • On arrival Shannon RFC representatives in visi-vest to direct teams to registration and playing area.
  • Coaches meet at cabin at 13:30 for briefing.
  • Teams assemble at their assigned pitch from 13.50, ready for first kick-off at 14:00.

 

You can also track the event here – https://www.tournifyapp.com/live/shannon

Schedule will be posted here closer to the date
*****************************
 

Shannon RFC 2025 Festival of Rugby Rules (Pre-Festival/subject to change)

U10, U11 and U12 Boys U12 Girls
Number of players
10 aside – 5 forwards and 5 backs (maximum squad allowed 20 players)
Match duration
12 mins straight through (no half time)

U14 Girls
Number of players:
13 aside (maximum squad of 23) Girls
Match duration:
12 mins straight through (no half time)

U14 Girls Group stage tie break If teams are level at the end of group stage the following apply: 
1) Most tries scored, then least conceded 
2) If still level the team that won the game between the tied teams goes first 
3) If the game between the tie teams resulted in a score draw, the team that scored first goes first
4) If the game between the tie teams resulted in a no score draw, a coin toss will decide 

Play off tie break criteria 
If teams are level at the end of play-off stage the following apply: 
1) If the game between the tied teams resulted in a score draw, the team that scored first wins
2) If the game between the tied teams resulted in a 0-0 draw, a coin toss will decide  

To register your interest, please contact Ian Coll on 087 7464887 or email underage@shannonrfc.com 

For Payment, can you visit the following link and choose the appropriate option based on the number of teams from your club. It its important to pay in advance to secure your clubs place at the event.  

Other Offline Payment Options:  

  1. Bank Transfer to:
    Shannon RFC bank account:
    IBAN: IE48 BOFI 9007 6261 3179 68
    BIC: BOFIIE2D

(Please include your Club Name in the payment reference) 

  1. Cheque: payable to Shannon RFC, post to Shannon RFC, C/O Mike McInerney, 21 Lanahrone Avenue, Corbally, Limerick, V94 PY8W
If you are using one of the Offline Payment methods, then please click  here to complete this form also to register your Club and Tournament Coach Information.

NOTE: This Event has been oversubscribed in recent years so please have entry fee submitted by  February 16th 2026 to secure your place in the festival. Numbers per age group are limited this year due to the substantial growth over the past years.   

 
Secure Your Place