The MU Barnhall Buffaloes is an inclusive tag rugby team that was established at the MU Barnhall Rugby Club in May of 2015, for adults with intellectual disabilities.
The team, based in Leixlip, is a pan-impairment team, meaning members of all different intellectual disabilities are on the team and encouraged to join.
The team began with six members, but has turned into a squad of twenty-four players. The team currently only has two female players, and are hoping to recruit more women to the team.
The Buffaloes play regular Sunday fixtures against teams across the country and are one of the only intellectual disability programs in Ireland that travel.
The Buffaloes main event is a yearly tournament, called the September Blitz, that raises money and awareness for the club. The tournament hosts teams from all 4 provinces.
The first tournament, which was held in 2016, hosted six teams and this year they are set to have 40. This year’s tournament is going to be held on September 3, at 12pm, in Leixlip.
MU Barnhall RFC and many other rugby clubs have been using tag rugby as a medium to enable local people with intellectual impairments to become active citizens and pillars of their own communities.
For all queries, please contact Anto Larkin 0872128837 or James Jones 08733768754.