MUNSTER REJECTING CHANGE TO IRFU SELECTION PROCESS

ANGER is growing among the grassroots in Munster as it emerged the province is set to shoot down a motion to appoint a female delegate, and representatives from junior clubs, to the IRFU. The Munster branch will hold its EGM over Zoom this evening, with the province’s 45 junior clubs set to table a motion which would amend the selection process. As things stand, four delegates sourced from the province’s 15 senior clubs are put forward to further the cause of the amateur game with the IRFU. This evening, the junior clubs will propose that two delegates would remain from senior clubs along with one from junior level, with the fourth slot being filled by a female representative. However, well-placed sources have told Sportsmail the landmark motion is set to be defeated this evening. ‘They’re going to vote against it, they’re going to vote it down,’ said the source. ‘The junior clubs are putting in a motion. Four delegates have always gone to the IRFU and they have always come from the senior clubs, despite the fact there are 45 junior clubs in Munster. Never has anybody outside of the senior clubs been sent up to the IRFU. ‘So, coming down the line from Sport Ireland, the Munster branch are going to have to put up a female as one of the four delegates. ‘Either next season or the season after, funding will be dependent on conforming to these requirements.’ Breakout stars for Munster such as the Wycherley brothers (Bantry), Gavin Coombes (Skibbereen), John Hodnett (Clonakilty) and Jack Crowley (Bandon) have all been sourced from junior clubs across Cork in recent years. Munster were unavailable for comment last night.