Ulster Rugby vs Leinster

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www.ulste 1 ULSTERRUGBY
PRESIDENT’S
WELCOME
IRFU
ULSTER BRANCH
Kingspan Stadium,
85 Ravenhill Park,
Belfast, BT6 0DG
T // +44 (0)28 9049 3222
OFFICERS
John Kinnear
// President
Bobby Stewart
// Senior Vice President
John McKibbin
// Junior Vice President
John McKibbin
// Honorary Secretary
Michael Boyd
// Honorary Treasurer
Denis Gardiner
// Competitions Secretary
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Shane Logan
// Chief Executive
Chris Webster
// Domestic Rugby Manager
Audrey Robinson
// Financial Controller
Fiona Hampton
// Head of Sales & Marketing
I would particularly like to welcome
the President of the Leinster Branch,
John Glackin and the officials,
players and supporters who have
made the trip North. You are all very
welcome in Belfast.
The Guinness PRO12 season
is heading towards an exciting
finale and it is great that three Irish
provinces are still in the running for
a play-off spot. While Leinster are in
the unfamiliar position of 5th in the
league, we know that as long as they
still have a chance they will be going
all-out to secure a top four place.
Last week they were unfortunate to
come out on the wrong side of a
ferocious battle with Toulon in the
semi-final of the European Rugby
Champions Cup. 100 minutes of
rugby will have had its toll but they
will be coming here knowing nothing
but a win will do.
However, Ulster, off the back of
an excellent performance against
Connacht, know that victory this
evening will guarantee them a play
off spot. With 6 Nations winners such
as Rory Best, Tommy Bowe, Jared
Payne and Iain Henderson back in
the team, Neil Doak’s side have the
experience and quality to get the
win.
The RBS 6 Nations trophy has been
touring the province this week. That
has served as a reminder of the
achievement of Joe Schmidt’s team
in winning the Championship last
month. We will see players from that
team going head to head against
each other this evening as they seek
to lift more silverware before the end
of the season.
It promises to be a fantastic rugby
match and with the game being
shown by our broadcast partners
Sky Sports and BBC Northern
Ireland, it will be a top-class
showcase for Irish Rugby.
Congratulations to all the teams who
have competed in the club finals
at Kingspan Stadium over the past
month and particularly the winners:
Ballynahinch 2nd XV, Omagh 2nd
XV, Queen’s University 2nd XV,
Malone 5th XV, Limavady 1st XV and
Ballymena 5th XV.
Finally, well done to those who took
part in the Ireland U19s Girls Sevens
Screening Event at Dungannon RFC
a couple of weeks ago. Hopefully
we will see some of them go on to
represent Ireland Women in years to
come.
As always thank you for your support
and Stand up for the Ulstermen.
Yours in Rugby,
John Kinnear // President
IRFU (Ulster Branch)
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you here to
Kingspan Stadium for this Guinness PRO12 match
against Leinster.