This weekend Galway Corinthians Youth Academy is holding a National Youth Rugby Festival. It takes place this Saturday & Sunday 18th & 19th of April. The festival will host Irelands top clubs at Under 15 age groups. There are two competitions running accross both days with a Boys & Girls tournament with 16 teams taking part in each catagory which will be made up of 4 teams from each province consisting of 4 groups of 4 teams. It is a round robin tournament on the Saturday with the top 2 teams qualifying for the knockout section and the bottom 2 teams going into the Plate Tournament .
The Rugby festival is the largest of its kind ever held in the country and has attracted significant interest from clubs across the provinces. We currently have approx. 800 male and female players signed up together with their coaches, management and almost as many again parents and supporters.
The Festival of rugby will be played out for two Trophies. The overall winners of the boys tournament will be awarded the Joe Joyce Cup with the winners of the Girls tournamnet winning the Joe Tighe Cup.
Joe Joyce was a well-known and respected sportsman in Galway City in the Soccer, Squash and Rugby communities. As a young 17yr old he made his snr soccer debut with an extremely talented and successful Galway Bohemians, in later years he became a very decent Squash player. At this time he also had rugby in his sights, by his own admission as a player rugby was never going to give him that cap under the blankets we all dreamed about, but later behind the scenes he gave a wonderful contribution to Corinthians Rugby.
Joe managed sides of all age groups before being Chairman of Youth Rugby during one of the most successful periods at this level for the club. Joe related to and had a special understanding of young adolescent. His typical good humour combined with his calling a spade a spade approach was very much instrumental in the development of many young Corinthians, where he left his mark in their hearts and minds. Joe fought the young man’s corner for many years, he had a big bark with no teeth, he was passionate, emotional and committed. Joe was a true Galwegian Corinthian.
When you mention Joe now to his Passed adolescents, their reaction speaks louder than words. They Smile.
It is our greatest privilege to have this U15 National Youth Festival in honour of our great friend and Corinthian Joe Joyce.
Joe Tighe started his Rugby career playing with Galwegian youth teams. His playing career really took off in the late 60’s when he joined and commenced playing with local team Wanderers. When Wanderers Club dispanded early 70’s Joe joined Corinthians and played with this Club for a number of years. When his career as a player was ended in the 80’s Joe got involved in refereeing. Joe was Secretary and President of the Referees Association early 80’s. He also contributed to assessing and coaching new referees.
In the late 90’s Joe coached Galwegian Women’s Rugby team. He is one of the main reasons why Galwegian Women’s team have gone on to compete at the top tier of Irish rugby. It was his passion, his infectious enthusiasm along with his extensive knowledge of the game, that created an environment for learning, promotion, recruitment, retention and above all pushed the team to be capable of the of competing at a higher level, acquiring silver ware on their journey. He is held in such high regard by the team that his name is still honoured for player of the year within the ladies team.
This promises to be a wonderful weekend of Rugby and a great chance to see the future Ireland stars of tomorrow.
We would ask all club members & supporters to come out to Corinthians at some stage over the two days and show your support for this wonderful idea which gives the young rugby hopefulls the chance to pit their wits against the countries finest all while recognising the two Joes (Joe Joyce & Joe Tighe) for the work they put in over the years. With all proceeds going to Temple Street Childrens Hospital & Galway Autism Partnership
