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PHOTOS Sarsfields Rugby hosts inaugural Lynch Cup in memory of Sarah Lynch
Sarsfields Rugby held the inaugural 2025 Sarah Lynch Tournament on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at Tom Clifford Park, Young Munster RFC, Limerick for a day of Inclusive Rugby – Tag & Full Contact. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Sarsfields Rugby hosted the first-ever Lynch Cup at Tom Clifford Park on Saturday, August 16, to help the memory of Sarah Lynch “live on forever”
Sarsfields Rugby welcomed more than 300 supporters to Tom Clifford Park, Young Munster RFC, to cheer on the inaugural Lynch Cup on Saturday, August 16, in memory of one of the team’s founding members, Sarah Lynch.
The inclusive rugby tournament, which featured both tag and full contact matches, was held in memory of Sarah Lynch, one of Sarsfields’ original members who passed away in December 2023. For Sarsfields, the Lynch Cup represents both a tribute to a beloved teammate and a milestone for inclusive rugby in Ireland.
Elysha Folan, Sarsfields Rugby’s Public Relations Officer told I Love Limemrick, “We have just finished our first ever Lynch cup. We are so happy we raised so much money for our chosen charity GOSSH. It has been such an incredible day, and I hope we really did Sarah proud.”
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GOSHH is a charity that provides prevention, care and support services relating to gender, orientation, sexual health and HIV/AIDS. Based in Limerick City, it works throughout Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary and offers a confidential helpline and online resources.
Elysha explained how to cup commemorates one of their original members, Sarah Lynch, saying, “The Lynch cup was set up to commemorate our member Sarah Lynch who we lost two years ago. Sarah was such a force within the club. She was one of our OG members, and a tournament is always something that we wanted to do, and it just made absolute perfect sense to call it The Lynch Cup for her memory to live on forever.”
The day featured moments of competition and community spirit, with inclusive teams from across Ireland taking part. For many players, it was not just the first Lynch Cup, but their first time competing in such a unifying tournament.
Elysha said, “Today, over 300 people have came out to Tom Clifford Park to cheer us all on. We had tag, we had contact, and there has been so many firsts today, which has been absolutely incredible. It was our first ever tournament for the Lynch Cup, and it’s the first time ever that we’ve had all of the inclusive rugby teams, honestly, from the bottom of our hearts at Sarsfields rugby. Thank you to everyone who cheered us on and supported us from the very beginning.”
This event was made possible with the support of our Title Sponsor, the IRFU (Irish Rugby Football Union), whose backing marks a powerful endorsement of inclusive rugby in Ireland.
“The IRFU is thrilled to support the Lynch Cup for the first time”, said David McKay, IRFU Disability & Inclusion Officer. “This tournament is a celebration of inclusivity, pride and community – values that are central to our game. It’s fantastic to see clubs from across the provinces coming together to support LGBTQI+ inclusion in rugby, and we’re proud to stand alongside them in making the sport welcoming for everyone.”
Pictures: Olena/ilovelimerick
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