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
ulsterrugby.comIn 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
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME