In collaboration with Irish Tag Rugby and the Irish Tag Rugby Association, we are pleased to announce the International Quota Policies for Tag Republic in 2025.
Cork boasts an impressive 26 Irish Internationals across our teams, a testament to the high level of talent within our leagues. We wish them every success in the upcoming international season and anticipate this number to continue growing.
To ensure clarity and fairness for all players, we are outlining the policies for each league, particularly regarding players with international commitments.
Prem
The existing policy for Prem Teams remains unchanged: No Team shall have more than five (5) (referred to as a “quota”) International Players registered and playing as members of their Premiership Squad. This rule shall be known as the “International Quota Rule”.
Where more than a quota of 5 International Players share a “Designated Club”, it shall not be a breach of the “International Quota Rule” for any or all of those players to continue to register and play for their “Designated Club” team in future Premiership seasons.
For the avoidance of doubt, this rule is aimed at avoiding a situation where a team must divest itself of International Players who were selected while playing for that designated team.
Where an International Player wishes to register for and play Premiership for a team other than their Designated Club’s team, they can only do so if that team does not already have a quota of 5 other International Players registered for that Premiership season.
Adding an International or Nationals player to your team
New international players or National players to Tag Republic leagues cannot directly join existing Prem Teams. To ensure fair player distribution, these players must enter the Prem League through the draft system. This ensures balanced team strength and provides opportunities for all teams to acquire experienced players and aid development in the region.
What happens when a team breaches these rules:
Any breach of these rules will result in the following consequences:
Please note that the game will be played as scheduled. However, after the game the following will happen:
- An investigation will be conducted by Tag Republic management.
- If the team is found to have breached the rules, they will be awarded a 10-0 loss and a 4-point deduction in the league table.
Definition of an International Player (2025):
Players who represented their country in the British & Irish Cup or the Bouclier de Brennan Cup in the previous calendar year considered international players ie. In 2025 players who represent their country in 2024 are deemed international players
Exemptions:
- Players who did not participate in any international competitions in 2024 are not subject to the international quota.
- A player who turns 37 or older at any point in the year of their most recent cap may be exempt from quota.
For the avoidance of doubt:
Example 1: Player A represents Ireland Men’s 30s in 2024 at the age of 39. Player A is exempt from quota in 2025.
Example 2: Player A represents Ireland Women’s 30s in 2024 at the age of 36. Player A turns 37 in December 2024. Player A is exempt from quota in 2024.
Example 3: Player A represents Ireland Men’s 30s in 2024 at the age of 36. Player A turns 37 in February 2025. Player A is subject to quota in 2024.
Championship League:
Formally known as the Advanced Social League, the quota laws are defined as
- 3+1 Rule: A maximum of 3 International can be on the pitch at any given time, + 1 on the bench.
- Any breach in quota laws shall result in a 10-0 loss and a 4-point deduction. Please note that the game will be played as scheduled and the loss and point deduction shall be applied after.
- There are no limits to National (Regional) Players or Prem players in this league
- Homegrown rule does not apply. Teams exceeding the International player limit must adjust their roster.
Social Leagues:
In order to ensure “social” tag players get what they signed up for, Tag Republic shall strive to work with team representatives to ensure players are playing in the appropriate group and where feasible place them in a group to compete against teams of a similar skillset.
For example, if feasible a team who is just beginning their tag journey will be grouped with teams of a similar standard. Any beginner teams will be coached and encouraged by our referees to allow them time to become familiar with laws. Teams with a large number of National representatives or experienced players will be placed in a group with teams of an equal experience level while being encouraged to play Championship leagues.
Each league will have different teams joining or taking a break, the process shall remain the same whereby we will work with team representatives ahead of each league to ensure that a team, where possible, is playing in a group that matches their skillset.
This approach is to ensure that social leagues are an enjoyable competitive experience for players and teams and that scorelines are reflected as such.
Social Quota Laws:
- 2 +1 Rule: A maximum of 2 International/Former International players per team can be on the pitch at any given time, +1 on the bench.
- Any Breach in quota laws shall result in a 10-0 loss and a 4-point deduction. Please note that the game will be played as scheduled and the loss and point deduction shall be applied after
- While Former international players are exempt from quota for Prem and Championship Leagues. You are still defined an international at social level tag as you have the ability to influence the game.
Transfer of Designated Club Team
In the event that any player wishes for a new experience or to move from their ‘Designated Club,’ Tag Republic may allow a player to change their Designated Club upon request. This is to discourage ‘poaching’ and to ensure discretion if a player is unhappy with their current or perhaps seeking a new challenge while ensuring the league remains competitive.
This request must be sent via email to tagrepublic@tagrugby.ie . These requests will be handled in confidence and also in consultation with Irish Tag Rugby.
2025 List of Cork Internationals & Designated Clubs
| Designated Club List | |
| Player Name | Designed Mixed Prem Team |
| Aoife Carberry | Spartans |
| Conor Burke | DRT |
| Dave Hayes | Spartans |
| David Ahern | CUBS |
| Diarmuid Rohan | CUBS |
| Evan Maloney | CUBS |
| Frank Bruen | Dirty Hookers |
| Grace Buckley | CUBS |
| Hannah O’Sullivan | Spartans |
| Jayne Pennefather | Spartans |
| Kate O’Connell | How I Tagged Your Mother |
| Lorna Monahan | DRT |
| Louise Ryan | DRT |
| Mark Bateman | DRT |
| Michaela Fitzgibbon | CUBS |
| Mike O’Sullivan | CUBS |
| Oisin Murphy | CUBS |
| Orla Kelly | CUBS |
| Orla Maher | CUBS |
| Patrick Fitzgerald | Spartans |
| Robert O’Halloran | DRT |
| Roisin Dunphy | Spartans |
| Sean Ahern | CUBS |
| Tara Kelleher | CUBS |
| Tara O’Connor | Spartans |
| Tomas McGrath | DRT |
