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www.
ULSTERRUGBY
.com
IRFU
ULSTER BRANCH
2016/17
OFFICERS
John McKibbin
President
Graffin 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.comBefore looking ahead to tonight’s game, Ulster Rugby was saddened
and shocked, as were all rugby people in Ireland, at the sudden death of
Munster Head Coach Anthony Foley in Paris last weekend. Anthony Foley
had an iconic status in Ireland and Munster Rugby and his loss at the
young age of 42 is very hard to take in. The deepest sympathies of Ulster
Rugby go to his wife Olive, sons Tony and Dan and the family circle as well
as to the Munster Squad and all our colleagues in the Munster Branch.
Tonight’s opponents are Exeter Chiefs and I extend a warm welcome to
their team, coaches, Directors and supporters. In particular, I would like to
welcome their Chairman and CEO Tony Rowe. In addition to the excellent
hospitality we received when we played Exeter in a pre-season friendly
in August, I had the privilege of viewing the “Shrouds of the Somme”
exhibition with Tony at Sandy Park before the game. This was a moving
experience which commemorated the 3237 men from the Ulster Division
and the Devonshire Regiment who died on the first day of the Battle of
the Somme in July 1916. Exeter Chiefs are to be congratulated on this
commemorative project.
I would also like to welcome the 29 Exeter supporters who have
undertaken a European Cycle Challenge by cycling to Kingspan Stadium
from Exeter in order to raise money for charity. This trip has taken them 5
days and they have covered over 440 miles plus a ferry trip.
Both sides did not get the start they wanted in the first round of European
games last weekend and a win in tonight’s game is crucial to both sides.
Elsewhere, Ulster are sitting at the top of the Guinness PRO12 League
with 5 wins from 6 and Les Kiss, the coaches and the players are to be
congratulated for this, particularly given the injury list we have had this
season.
Following on from the Ulster U19s Inter-provincial success, congratulations
must also go to the Ulster U18 Girls team who, in the first year of
competition at this level, won their 3 games against the other Provinces
and the Girls U18 Inter-pro title – very well done. Both U19 and U18 Girls
teams will have the opportunity of parading their trophies at an Ulster
game in the near future.
On the domestic rugby front, it is good to see that the number of cancelled
matches are down on the same period last season. We are now through to
the Semi-final stage of the First Trust Senior Cup where Banbridge will play
Ballynahinch and Belfast Harlequins will play Armagh. All four clubs are to
be congratulated on getting to this stage of the competition.
Finally, I hope everyone enjoys the game tonight as well as the facilities 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 2 match in the European Champions Cup.
PRESIDENT’S
WELCOME
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME