Wexford Touch Rugby players win Gold at the Atlantic Youth Touch Cup

The 2025 Atlantic Youth Touch Cup was the largest international Touch Rugby tournament ever held in Ireland with 45 international youth teams from 12 countries descending on the University of Limerick…

And for two young players from County Wexford, it was a dream come true as their team picked up a brilliant Gold Medal.

Finn Standing from Inch and Isaac Young from Gorey were both members of the Ireland Mixed 18s team team that won the Atlantic Cup in Limerick on August 3^rd. Ireland MX18s qualified for the final by winning 6 out of their 7 pool games before beating Belgium in their semi-final. Ireland edged out Wales 7-6 in a pulsating final.

Both Finn and Isaac were key players for Ireland scoring 4 tries and 3 tries respectively. In fact Finn scored a crucial try in the final. Both Finn and Isaac play rugby with their local club Gorey RFC. They also play Touch with the DSC Wanderers Touch club in Merrion Road, Dublin which is run by Tania Rosser who was also their Mixed 18s coach. Both players have previous international experience with Finn having debuted for Ireland in 2023 while Isaac pulled on the green jersey first in 2022.

There was further success for Wexford at the Atlantic Cup as Emer Sweetnam from Gorey picked up a Silver Medal as part of the Ireland Mixed 20s. The MX20s qualified for the final with six wins from six including two wins over England. In the final, they faced England agan. However, the ‘Aul Enemy’ got their revenge, pipping Ireland 10-9 to take the title. Emer plays rugby with MU Barnhall RFC and this was her first international Touch experience.

The Ireland Boys 15s team also picked up a medal, winning Bronze in their category with a 10-2 win over Lebanon. There were no less than three Wexford lads on this team; Adam Deacon and Eric Young, brother of Isaac, from Gorey and Heath Hulin from Castletown. Both Adam and Eric play rugby for their hometown club and both scored a brace of tries each. Heath forms one part of the remarkable Hulin family from Castletown in Wexford who had four members involved in the Atlantic Cup.

As well as Heath, mum Nelia was Team Manager of the Mixed 15s squad that contained her daughter Kai while older sister Lia was called into the Girls 18s at the last minute. All three Hulins performed very well in the competition with Kai even getting on the scoresheet against Belgium. The three Hulins all play rugby with Arklow RFC.

When asked about why they like Touch, the Hulin siblings had the following to say:

“It’s more than just a game, you would have to play to understand!” said Heath. Lia added, “Touch means community to me, it’s more than a game it’s family”. And Kai? “ Touch is NOT tag rugby!!! I love the people & I love the game” she said. Mum Nelia had the final word. “Touch Rugby is a complex game of strategy, endurance, & speed. It is inclusive and addictive and will leave you with an extended family, stronger body & a healthier mindset.”

All the details of the Atlantic Cup competitions as well as live streams of many games involving the Wexford youngsters can be found online.

Wexford can be very proud of all these fantastic young players who represented their county and country so well in Limerick.

Touch Rugby, or Touch as it is more commonly known, is a fast and exciting non-contact version of rugby. Here in Ireland it is still growing while in both Australia and New Zealand it is the No. 1 participation sport. The benefits of Touch for developing rugby players skills, fitness and awareness of space have long been recognised Down Under.

Anyone from Wexford who wishes to emulate the Atlantic Cup stars and give Touch Rugby a go can play on Friday nights at Wicklow RFC or contact DSC Touch club at dsctouch@gmail.com.

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