10 September 2026
By Valerie Ryan
valerie@TheCork.ie
Touch Rugby in Cork
Sundays Well RFC are known for being one of the most progressive and inclusive rugby clubs in Munster. The Ballyphehane based outfit currently cater for boys, girls, men and women from under 6 up to adults and they also famously started the first mixed ability rugby team in Ireland, the Sundays Well Rebels, who continue to thrive.
Starting from Friday 11th September, Touch Rugby will be added to the list of options available at Sundays Well RFC. Touch Rugby, or Touch as it more commonly known, is a fast and exciting non-contact version of rugby where the emphasis is on fun, developing rugby skills and increasing fitness. In Ireland, the game is still growing with 12 clubs around the country and more expected to follow in the next few years. However, in Australia and New Zealand, Touch is the No. 1 participation sport with over one million players across both countries. Although Touch is mainly played as mixed social sport, the benefits of the game for developing a rugby player’s skills, fitness and awareness of space have long been recognised Down Under. High profile rugby union players such as Rieko Ioane, Richie Mo’unga and Charlotte Caslick all have a strong background in Touch and all three credit touch for improving their skills and awareness before they played rugby professionally. There is a competitive international side to the game also with Ireland international squads from under 15s up to over 50s competing in European Championships and World Cups.
Sunday’s Well RFC Chairperson Dave Egar is looking forward to the arrival of Touch at the club. ‘Launching Touch Rugby is another important step in making Sundays Well a club where there is genuinely a form of rugby for everyone, alongside all our men’s, women’s and mixed-ability teams. It provides a fun, social and accessible way for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the game, stay active and become part of the Sundays Well RFC community.’
Touch Rugby in Sundays Well RFC starts on Friday 11th September and will run every Friday at 7:30pm at Sunday’s Well RFC in Ballyphehane. Kelsi McGrath will be leading Touch in Sundays Well. Kelsi is a very experienced coach and player having played at provincial level in her native South Africa. She coached the Ireland Women’s Open team in the 2024 Touch World Cup and played with them in the recent 2026 European Championships. Despite her experience in the elite end of the game, Kelsi emphasised the strong social side of the game. ‘With the popularity of touch rugby growing in Ireland, we are very excited to see the presence of a touch rugby club in Munster. Touch rugby is a great social environment and has facilitated many lifelong friendships in my own life and I’m excited for that journey to continue.’
Touch is open to all males and females from 14 years old up to 60 years and above. No previous rugby or sporting experience is necessary and both members and non-members are welcome to start playing.
For more information or to sign up to try Touch, fill in the form below or email kelsijohnston1@gmail.com.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6wHEOex9xoVf4ll81F_WylQhtNPBVPBLazleJ-04f4-AKFA/viewform
You can also follow Sundays Well RFC on Facebook and Instagram to find out the latest information on Touch Rugby.
L to R: Jacob Lane – Sundays Well Senior player, Kelsi McGrath – Sundays Well Touch Head Coach, Gary O’Sullivan –Head of Womens and Girls Rugby.