Ulster Rugby vs Zebre

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3 www.ULSTERRUGBY.com
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
The Ireland team and management are to be congratulated on a
tremendous performance in beating New Zealand in Chicago three
weeks ago. In particular, my congratulations go to Rory Best, Jared
Payne and Andrew Trimble who played that day. Ireland followed this
up with another good performance, beating Canada with a team that
included Paddy Jackson, Luke Marshall and Craig Gilroy. Unfortunately,
last weekend, Ireland came off second best against New Zealand in
what was an extremely physical match, but again a good performance
from Ireland. I am sure everyone in Ulster will wish the Ireland team well
in their final Guinness Series game against Australia tomorrow.
As for Ulster, it has not been the best of months with the team slipping
from 1st to 5th place in the Guinness PRO12 Championship following
defeats by Munster and Edinburgh. Whilst injuries and Ireland call-
ups have been significant factors, the recent defeat in Edinburgh was
particularly disappointing. Hopefully the Autumn break will have allowed
the team to regroup and get back to form tonight.
On the domestic rugby front, Ballynahinch and Dungannon are to be
congratulated on getting through to the First Trust Senior Cup final on
15th December at Kingspan Stadium. Clogher Valley are also to be
congratulated on getting through to the All Ireland Junior Cup Semi-
finals following a hard fought win over fellow Ulster team Portadown.
I would also encourage all Ulster Rugby fans to get involved with our
Christmas Present Appeal, which is a joint initiative with our charity
partner, Include Youth. This charity supports 500 young people from
disadvantaged communities throughout Northern Ireland and looks to
help them move into training or employment. Fans are encouraged to
donate a present to make sure the young people that Include Youth
work with, who often live in children's homes or residential care, receive
a special gift this Christmas. Donations of Christmas presents can
be made at reception in the main administration building during the
upcoming week. Further details of the scheme are included later in this
match day programme.
Ulster Rugby, in conjunction with Slim’s Kitchen and Include Youth, have
also launched the first ever Ulster Rugby Charity Recipe Book. This
book will make a great Christmas present and fans are encouraged to
buy a copy for just £5, with all proceeds going to our charity partner.
Finally, I hope everyone enjoys the game tonight as well as the facilities
in 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 9 match in the Guinness PRO12 League. In
particular I am pleased to welcome the Zebre team along with
their coaches, Directors and supporters.
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME PRESIDENT’S WELCOME