Former Irish rugby manager to head Lions panel in Mullingar

The former Irish rugby manager Eddie O’Sullivan has been confirmed as a panellist for at least two of the forthcoming test matches for the Mullingar Rugby Club’s ‘Breakfast with the Lions’.

The club is hosting its ‘Breakfast with the Lions’ for each of the three test matches against Australia, starting next Saturday morning, June 22, in the Annebrook House Hotel.

Attendees will get a full Irish breakfast from 10am, before kick-off on the big screen at 11am, with panel analysis at half-time and full time.

O’Sullivan, who managed Ireland at two World Cups, and saw Ireland reach third in the world rankings in 2007, will be joined on the panel by RTE’s video analyst Mark McDermott, and former Mullingar president, Brendan Leahy.

McDermott, a former manager of the IRFU’s elite player development unit, is a regular on RTE’s Against the Head, and managed the Irish U21s to a World Cup in 2004.

Brendan Leahy is a former player at Mullingar and St Mary’s College, and is presently chairman of the IRFU’s mini rugby nationwide.

The three breakfasts will be compered by local rugby writer Finian Coghlan. A number of other guest panellists have yet to be announced for the three-test series, but the club has confirmed that former player and present manager of the Irish team - Joe Schmidt - will not be able to attend.

Tickets are €15 each (€10 for u12s), or three for €35 (€25), and are available from Fagans Office Supplies, club captain Daryl Quinn on (085) 7459866; club manager James Murphy on (087) 6385877; and Áine Shanley on (087) 2544388.

Patrons are reminded that just 280 tickets are available on each of  
the three mornings.