Rugby in the Holy Land and the Irish connection
by Kevin Kelleher

Myself and my friend Liam O'Briain visited the Holy Land to see the sights and experience the culture last February. We left our hotel in Bethlehem in the West Bank one evening in search of a bar which were few and far between in that area . We ended up in this bar where after a few beers a local lad approached us and queried "Are you a Munster Rugby fan". We invited him to join us, and to our surprise and shock he knew a lot about Irish Rugby and Munster. He told us to our amazement that he had been playing rugby for the past few months and they had just set up a rugby team, the first rugby team in Palestine. Our new friend (George) promised to bring his coach to meet us the following night, which he did and his coach, Martin, told us that he played rugby back in Hungary but came to work in Palestine a year previous. Martin had brought a rugby ball over with him which was spotted one day by George in the boot of Martins car and he asked what was it. Martin explained the game of rugby to George and said he will show him and anyone else interested how to play. George, Martin and a few friends had their first training session after that and from that, they formed a club, the Beit Jala Lions.

Rugby in the holy land.
© http://www.beitjalalions.com/

They had been trying to promote rugby themselves through the area and getting others to join and play. Liam and myself were so impressed with them and their passion for rugby we said we would do what we could as soon as we got back to Limerick. With the current situation over there they could not afford proper equipment but they had managed to organise one evening in a local soccer pitch to train and train a second night a week on a tarmac playground for drills.

When we returned home, Liam and i started sending emails and making phonecalls to see what we could do but we got little interest and support. We hoped to do some fundraising which didnt go to plan so we pooled our paycheques and filled a large box with rugby balls, kicking tees, gumshields, Books, DVD's, shorts, Munster tops/flag, etc, and posted it over. They guys were very grateful and told us it gave them a huge burst of enthusiasm to expand the game. We set up a small website to publicise the team which we received emails from other interested people around the West Bank. Soon after a second team was set up in Ramallah called the Ramallah Blue Snakes which was a great step for rugby in the country.
Martin is now currently working with children between the ages of 6 to 12 showing them how to play Tag rugby. The kids are very excited about the game and getting huge enjoyment playing it.
Martin and the lads have become big fans of Munster Rugby and were delighted to see us win the European cup, they wear their Munster tops with pride and told us they see Munster as an inspiration for them and want us to bring over the new Munster DVD for them. Its great to see rugby expanding over there due to the great work of Martin, George and the rest of the guys who are working hard to spread the sport of rugby without any assistance from any sporting bodies.

Liam and I are heading back in October and we are currently organising a Tag Rugby Tournament to promote the game. Martin has organised 2 under 12 year old teams and at least 2 teams from Beit Jala, Bethlehem and Ramallah and we hope to have at least one team going over from Ireland. We hope to involve the community as much as we can and show the locals how to play the game. We also hope to bring over as much as we can carry to help out the guys with their good work.

If anyone wants more information on the Beit Jala Lions you can check out their new website http://www.beitjalalions.com/
or alternatively you can email me at kevinjkelleher@hotmail.com

The current social climate is Palestine is bleak but the sport of rugby is beginning to become a glint of hope in peoples lives and we are hoping to encourage this and hopefully the spirit of rugby can give them as much as it has given me.
by Kevin Kelleher
First Munster mascot of the new Thomond Park



Junior Member Dylan Duhig created history when he became the First Munster Mascot to run out at the new Thomond Park Stadium with Munster Captain Paul O'Connell.

It was a very special moment for Dylan and his special tribute to his Dad Martin. Dylan sadly lost his dad in the summer in a tragic accident.

Dylans Uncle told us .. "We are all so proud of Dylan, and his dad will be smiling with him today".