Ulster Rugby - Annual Report 2017-18

SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS In addition to those mentioned above, long serving scrum-half Paul Marshall was presented with the Heineken Ulster Rugby Personality of the Year Award, while the even longer serving Norman Pollock received a Special Recognition Award. Paul Marshall Paul recently announced his intention to retire at the end of this season, following twelve years during which he played 206 times for Ulster, scoring 24 tries. He also won three Ireland caps. An incredibly busy player, he had the ability with his quick thinking and speed off the mark to cause problems to any defence. This was typified by his tremendous bonus point try from an instant tap and go against Leicester at Ravenhill in the European Cup in 2012. This year had been a difficult one for Paul and his family as his son Luke battled against cancer. We hope that Luke continues on the road to recovery and wish Paul well in whatever he hopes to do in the future. Norman Pollock Ask Ulster fans who Norman Pollock is, and most will struggle to come up with an answer. Ask the same fans who Sparky is and their smiles will confirm instant recognition and appreciation of Ulster Rugby’s mascot. Norman Pollock, a dedicated volunteer, has been the man inside the Sparky suit for the last eighteen years, apart from one match in which he was briefly replaced by Andrew Trimble. This only happened once because Trimby just wasn’t fit enough to continue. Norman has decided that the time is right for him to retire, and his last appearance was a successful one, with Ulster beating the Ospreys. We thank Norman for all the fun he

has given us over the last eighteen years, and hope to see him back at Kingspan next season in his civvies. OTHER GOODBYES As well as those mentioned above, a number of others who were with us at the beginning of 2017/18 will not be with us next season. We parted company with Director of Rugby Les Kiss in January. No-one could have put more into the job than Les and it was a real shame that things just didn’t work out. Another of the coaching staff, Jono Gibbes, is also leaving. We wish both every success in their future careers. Charles Piutau will join Bristol next season, following two years in Belfast and Callum Black will return to Worcester, having given sterling service to Ulster during his 146 appearances. Three more long-serving players have also played their last games for the province. Tommy Bowe A product of Monaghan RFC and educated at Royal School, Armagh, Tommy, who announced his retirement in April, scored on his first appearance for Ulster, against Connacht, in 2004. That was the first of many appearances and points, as he scored 310 points in 168 appearances for Ulster, and a further 185 in only 77 matches for the Ospreys. He also found the time to score 150 points in his 69 matches for Ireland, and was a double Lion, touring in both 2009 and 2013, scoring three tries in his five Lions tests. Tommy was a member of the Ulster side which won the Celtic League title in 2006. In 2009 he scored one of the tries in the win against Wales to secure Ireland’s first grand slam for 61 years.

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH ANNUAL REPORT 2017/18

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