Tour to Ireland a Special Event for KC Jr. Blues

03.15.2026HS Boys

KC Jr. Blues team on their way to Ireland.

Author: Alex Goff

The Kansas City Junior Blues are on tour in Ireland Irish Rugby Tours, taking their first international tour in 16 years.

The last time they were touring overseas, Eddie Cummings was the coach. Now his sone, Casey, is the coach and to be able to take the team overseas is a special moment for Casey.

Set to play Mullingar Rugby Football Club in Galway, Presentation Brothers College in Cork, and Portlaoise Rugby Football Club in Dublin, the Junior Blues have opted to use Irish Rugby Tours to set up not only the overall tour, but the opposition and the cultural trips.

"For majority of our players this will be their first international trip let alone a rugby tour," said Cummings. "We’re looking forward to the camaraderie built through all of the travel, the adversity we'll face together on and off the field, and the opportunity to grow closer as a team through those experiences. As a club side with players from more than 10 high schools in the player pool each year, it always takes a while to build that bond amongst the group; we're excited to see that fast tracked on this tour."

Combined with that is the opportunity to experience a true rugby club environment—playing at places where the rugby club is a significant part of the social circle of its members.

"The clubhouse culture, the pride in the jersey, and the sense of brotherhood that surrounds the game there is something we're excited to see," Cummings added.

From a rugby standpoint, this is a chance to learn and grow as rugby players and as a team.

"Our touring side only features four seniors, so it’s largely an underclass group, essentially a U17 side, getting valuable experience against strong and experienced Irish competition," said Cummings. "The goal is for these players to learn what it takes to compete and to bring that experience back with them when we get into the thick of our regular season.

Coming off a preseason with some close losses against strong teams, the Junior Blues is looking at the tour to help turn those results around.

"We expect our leadership group to strengthen as the season progresses and help us close out those tight matches. More importantly, those games gave us a lot to learn from, particularly around game management and how to regain control of momentum when a match gets tight," said Cummings. "That’s something we’re hoping the boys continue to develop on tour. Playing overseas will challenge them in different ways, and the lessons they learn from those matches should help us grow as a group when we return home for the heart of our season."

Above that, the players get a chance to see the world outside of their own country, experience Irish culture and history, and see what it's like to travel overseas.

"It’s a real privilege for me to lead the club I played for in high school," said Cummings. "This is my fifth year as head coach, and getting the opportunity to take the team overseas and give these players an experience of a lifetime, one myself and the boys will be telling stories about for years, and is something I’m incredibly grateful for and to carry on the legacy of my father with taking the club on a similar tour as he had done 15 years ago."

Want to take your team on tour? Talk to George Hook at Irish Rugby Tours>>