Ulster Rugby vs Cardiff Blues

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

In the Guinness PRO12, Ulster has now won their last six games. The latest victories were a bonus point win over Zebre here at Kingspan Stadium and a hard fought win away to the Dragons in Newport. The team is now fourth in the Championship but with a difficult set of final games, a win tonight will be important if the team is to secure a Play-off place. Cardiff Blues have shown themselves to be difficult opponents and whilst the Ulster team won the away fixture in December, nothing can be taken for granted this evening. On the domestic front, Armagh RFC are to be congratulated for winning the SONI Ulster Rugby Premiership. This is the first time that Armagh has won the Senior League and it is a great achievement by the club. Malone RFC are also to be congratulated on winning Division 2 of the SONI Ulster Rugby Premiership. Ballynahinch and Enniskillen have successfully made it through to the final of the RiverRock Towns Cup, which will be played here at Kingspan Stadium on Easter Monday. My congratulations must also go to the Ballynahinch Women’s team, who made history when they defeated City of Derry 9-5 in the inaugural Ulster Women's Junior Cup. In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Final, RBAI defeated Methodist College by 12-8 in a closely contested game which was a credit to both sides. This victory gave RBAI the cup for the third year in a row, another great achievement. In the Danske Bank Medallion Shield Final, The Royal School Armagh are to be congratulated on winning the competition for the first time in their long history by defeating Friend's School, Lisburn by 10-6. Congratulations also go to Royal School Dungannon who defeated Grosvenor High School in the Danske Bank Girls Schools’ Cup Final. Our supporters have given the Ulster team tremendous support this season, particularly in the recent run of victories – let’s raise the volume up another level tonight and help the team make it seven wins in a row! I hope everyone enjoys the game tonight as well as the great facilities we have here at Kingspan Stadium and remember… “Stand Up For The Ulstermen”. John McKibbin President IRFU (Ulster Branch) It gives me great pleasure as President of the IRFU Ulster Branch to welcome everyone to Kingspan Stadium for this evening’s Round 19 match in the Guinness PRO12 Championship. In particular, I am very pleased to welcome the Cardiff Blues team along with their officials and supporters. PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH 2016/17 OFFICERS John McKibbin President Graf n Parke Senior Vice President Stephen Elliott Junior Vice President Denis Gardiner Honorary Secretary Michael Boyd Honorary Treasurer Greg Irwin Competitions Secretary EXECUTIVE TEAM Shane Logan Chief Executive Chris Webster Domestic Rugby Manager Audrey Robinson Financial Controller Fiona Hampton Head of Sales & Marketing Les Kiss Director of Rugby

Kingspan Stadium, 134 Mount Merrion Avenue Belfast, BT6 0FT T +44 (0)28 9049 3222 ulsterrugby.com

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