Irish rugby has thrived admirably in the professional era, although the well-worn route from schools to the international team via the provinces has been to the great detriment of the All Ireland League.
In last weekend's Sunday Independent, Brendan Fannning wrote of David Nucifora and an IRFU delegation meeting the AIL clubs of Division 1A and 1B, where Nucifora would witness - in Fanning's opinion - "first hand the stupefying level of ignorance that obtains in the union on the issue of how clubs are carrying out their business".
As the AIL is increasingly isolated in modern rugby, remind yourself of its glory days of club rugby as Ireland crossed from the threshold of amateurism to professionalism.
A Better Way Of Viewing
Fans find a novel way of getting a glimpse at a Division 1 clash between Garryowen and Young Munster at Dooradoyle, Limerick in April 1996.
Skinny Second-Rows
Never again will we see a game of senior rugby featuring a second-row with arms as skinny as those belonging to Gabriel Fulcher of Cork Con, seen here challenging Tim Coughlan of St Mary's in February 1993.
An Era In Which Keith Wood Had Hair...
Pictured here with Dan Larkin of Garryowen after the 1994 final.
...And Gloriously Baggy Jerseys
It Pitted Some Of Ireland's Greatest Players Against Each Other
O'Connell and O'Gara clash in the 2001 semi-final between Young Munster and Cork Con.
Never Was A Competition Better Suited For Snaps Of Players Looking Maniacally Determined
Be it Trevor Brennan for St Mary's...
...David Corkery for Cork Con...
...or Peter Clohessy for Young Munster...
...or Mick Galwey for Shannon.
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Ultimately, It Was An Era Which Embraced Rugby Players Of All Shapes And Sizes
This was taken during a Cork Con/Landsdowne clash at Landsdowne Road in 1998.
All photos via Sportsfile.
