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Overall, the initiative to combine certain Domestic
Cup Finals on the same day showed much promise.
Crowds were up on both days, creating a very positive
atmosphere, there was increased PR for the clubs
involved and the competitiveness of the matches added
to the spectacle.
The final of the Crawford Cup saw another thrilling
spectacle with the match between Portadown Seconds
and Ballynahinch Thirds going to extra-time. It was only
in the second period of extra time that Ballynahinch
eventually overcame Portadown to win the cup by a
margin of 29-20.
The Crawford and Forster Shields, were won by
Ballyclare Seconds and Dungannon Thirds respectively.
Ballynahinch Sevenths overcame Strabane Seconds to
lift the Butler Shield.
Women’s Rugby
At adult level Cooke finished seventh in the AIL and
retained the Rosie Stewart Memorial Bowl beating
Ballynahinch 67-3 in the final. The Ulster Women’s
Championship consisted of four teams (Ballynahinch,
Cavan, City of Derry, Enniskillen) and was won by City
of Derry. As a result, City of Derry qualified for the All
Ireland League playoffs, but were beaten by Tullamore.
Development level consisted of a combination of Pre-
Christmas blitzes and friendlies which was played in
a more formal Ulster Women’s Development League
format after Christmas. Teams involved included:
Belfast Harlequins, Carrick, Lisburn, Malone Omagh,
QUB and Randalstown. Malone won the double by
securing the Development League and the ReJenerate
Cup in which they defeated beat Carrick 33-0. Omagh
beat Belfast Harlequins 27-10 after extra time to win the
ReJenerate Shield.
Clubs Committee
Once again the Clubs Committee meetings were very
well attended. Ulster Branch President John McKibbin,
despite a very busy schedule, chaired all of the
meetings, while Ross Workman prepared and circulated
his very comprehensive minutes in quick time.
During the year the Committee undertook a review of
its effectiveness. Co-ordinated by Terence McCracken
Clubs Committee members identified a series of
enhancements intended to improve the functioning of
the Committee. This included enhancements to the
meeting agenda, the prior circulation of papers and
suggestions to improve communications generally
between clubs and with the Ulster Branch. These
improvements were being implemented before the end
of the season.
Competitions Management Committee
The C.M.C. met twenty times, one fewer than last year.
Once again we were at our busiest at the business end
of the season during March and April. As well as the
appointment of two new members to the Committee,
John Carleton played a valuable role as the new CMC
Chairman.
REFEREES (USRFR)
The Ulster Branch continues to be indebted to Referees
Society and the commitment they give to ensure
matches are played each week.
Ulster currently has one hundred and forty one active
referees with thirty nine assessors also giving of their
time to help develop and improve our referees. There
are at present seventeen trial referees undergoing
training.
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