Ulster Rugby vs Leinster

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IRFU
ULSTER BRANCH
Kingspan Stadium,
85 Ravenhill Park,
Belfast, BT6 0DG
T // +44 (0)28 9049 3222
OFFICERS
Bobby Stewart
// President
John McKibbin
// Senior Vice President
Graffin Parke
// 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
Les Kiss
// Director of Rugby
PRESIDENT’S
WELCOME
I especially welcome the President of
the Leinster Branch of the IRFU, Robert
McDermott, together with his officers and
the many Leinster supporters who have
made the journey to Belfast to support
their team this afternoon. You are all very
welcome and I hope that you enjoy your
time here.
Leinster are Ulster’s oldest rivals and
were the first side to play against Ulster
at Ravenhill when the Provincial side
moved here in the 1923/24 season and
they were the opposition when the new
Kingspan Stadium was officially opened
in May 2014.
Entering into the last two league games
of the regular season, Leinster come
to Kingspan Stadium this afternoon as
league leaders, with Ulster occupying
fourth place.
To be sure of retaining their position in
fourth, Ulster must secure a win. This will
not be easy, as Leinster have so much
talent in their side. But I am asking you,
our loyal fans, to be the 16th man and
make lots of noise and cheer the home
team on to victory.
Our biggest rivals, Scarlets, are away to
Newport Gwent Dragons and Munster
play Edinburgh in Cork this weekend. So
it makes for an entertaining weekend of
rugby.
However, regardless of what other teams
do, I am sure that Les (Kiss) will have
Ulster at the top of their game.
On the youth rugby scene, it has been
a hectic few weeks with Cup, Plate
and Bowl finals all taking place and I
congratulate all of the respective winners.
I must pay tribute to Bangor Rugby
Football Club who has had an
outstanding season. Last Saturday
they beat Clonmel from Munster to gain
promotion to Division 2C of the Ulster
Bank All Ireland League. Their list of
successes includes The Millar McCall
Wylie Junior Cup, The Powerade Towns
Cup, the Ulster Qualifying League
Division 1 and the Conference League
title.
My year as President of the IRFU (Ulster
Branch) will come to an end in a few
weeks’ time and I would like to thank you,
the loyal fans, for your fantastic support,
both at home here in Kingspan Stadium
and at away games. I had the pleasure
of meeting some of you in Oyonnax,
Treviso, Toulouse and recently in Parma
for the Zebre game, which I thoroughly
enjoyed.
I have had a fantastic year and have been
fortunate to travel across the Province
visiting clubs and schools and watching
this great game being played by all ages,
sexes, creeds and abilities.
I would like to wish my successor, Mr
John McKibbin, every success in his year
as President when he takes up the office
this summer.
Please give Leinster a great Ulster
welcome this afternoon.
Good Luck to Ulster and remember
“STAND UP FOR THE ULSTERMEN”
Bobby Stewart // President
IRFU (Ulster Branch)
It gives me great pleasure to welcome everyone here to
Kingspan Stadium for this afternoon’s round 21 game in the
Guinness PRO12 league against Leinster.