Rugby League Ireland (RLI) is the internationally recognised governing body for the development of rugby league in Ireland, having secured official recognition from the RLIF in 2000. It is in the process of obtaining recognition within the Irish Sports Council and will take over the running of the International team entirely as a stand alone entity due course.

The seed of modern-day rugby league in Ireland was sown when in 1989 the Dublin Blues were formed and founded by Brian Corrigan. They consisted mostly of rugby union players who wanted to stay fit over the summer. The Blues competed against touring teams from Britain and surprised many of the touring sides with the quality of their play, scoring many memorable victories over British amateur opposition.

In early 1995 the British Rugby Football League development arm financed the position of a Development Officer for Ireland, providing a massive boost to the development of the game. In the same year Ireland formed its very first competitive team to play against the USA in Washington on St. Patrick's Day. Ireland won 24-22.

Competitive matches were established between teams in Leinster and Ulster: Schoolboy matches were played between Dublin and Belfast schools, Open Age Clubs competed against each other in the All-Ireland Challenge Cup. Teams included Belfast Wildcats and Bangor Vikings from Ulster. From Leinster there were Dublin-based Dublin Blues, North Side Saints, Tallaght Tigers, Churchtown Warriors and Bray-based East Coast Panthers. From Munster the Cork Bulls were formed under the guidance of Ex-Dublin Blues stalwart Peter McNamara. Northside Saints and Cork Bulls had their successes but the long-established Dublin Blues were always pre-eminent and there or thereabouts when it came to the trophy presentations.

The modern-day Rugby League Ireland was formed in 2001 initially in Leinster and Munster conferences, prior to this the competition was known as Ireland Rugby League, though after a season the league reverted to a national competition for two seasons before the conferences were reintroduced for 2004.

In 2006 the Leinster and Munster conferences were abandoned in favour of an all-Ireland league, but conference play was reintroduced for the 2007 season, this time on a North/South basis, below the Elite division.

For 2008 two national divisions operate, the Carnegie League and the Emerald Rugby National Conference.

In 2009 the Emerald National Conference has been replaced by the Emerald League run on a merit league basis [1]. However, the Emerald League is unlikely to run in 2009 and it is hoped it will run in the future. Also a separate Northern Ireland league has been re-established

• Carlow Crusaders
• Dublin City Exiles
• Laois Panthers
• North Dublin Eagles
• Treaty City Titans
• Tullamore Knights

Tallaght Tigers are playing in the North Western Division of the otherwise English-based Rugby League Merit League.

• Portadown Pumas
• Ballinahinch Bulls
• East Belfast Bulldogs
• Strangford Sharks

These 4 teams hope to be joined next year by the Antrim Storm.

East Belfast Bulldogs won the inaugural Portadown 9s tournament to kick off the season.

• Rugby league in Ireland
• Ireland national rugby league team

• Official RLI website