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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 unfortunately lost their last two
matches away to Munster and Ospreys and qualification for the Play-
offs has all but gone for this season. This is a disappointing outcome
but it is clear that, as with the Champions Cup, our away performances
need to improve if we are to compete for silverware. That aside,
tonight’s game is an Inter-provincial and these games are always full
blooded contests regardless of previous form. I know that the Ulster
team will be looking to finish the season on a winning note and that our
supporters will get behind the team, encouraging them on.
My congratulations go to Rory Best, Jared Payne and Iain Henderson
on their selection for the British and Irish Lions – a tremendous and well
deserved achievement.
It has been a busy and successful period on the domestic front
for rugby in Ulster. Banbridge are to be congratulated on winning
Division 2A of the All Ireland League and are now up to Division
1B. Congratulations also go to Armagh and Rainey who also won
promotion, through the play-offs, to Division 2A and 2B respectively. In
addition, Omagh came through the round robin play-offs and have now
entered the AIL in Division 2C – a great outcome for all four of these
clubs. In cup competitions, the RiverRock Towns Cup Final on Easter
Monday was a great match with Ballynahinch 2nds winning narrowly
against Enniskillen after extra time. The McCrea Cup Final was another
excellent game with Malone 2nd XV narrowly defeating Cooke. Playing
these two matches as a double header on Easter Monday was a very
successful venture and made for a great day of rugby with an excellent
crowd in attendance for both games.
At the recent Cardiff game, the Ulster Branch were presented with
the ‘Inclusive Sport Award' from Disability Sport NI in recognition of
the Branch's commitment to creating a sports environment which is
fully inclusive of people with disabilities. We are only the third sport to
receive this award and the Ulster Branch staff deserve our praise for
their work in achieving this award.
Recently, the Ulster Branch was saddened to learn of the death of
Hal Burnison. Hal was a long-serving member and Past President
of Malone RFC. He was also a member of the Ulster Branch Clubs
Committee for some 27 years and a member of the Competition
Management Committee. Hal also looked after the international ticket
allocation for the Ulster Branch for over 16 years and had been a life-
long supporter of Ulster Rugby. Our sympathies go to his wife Maureen
and the family circle.
Back to this evening, let’s get behind the team and ensure we finish this
season on a high with a win against our rivals in blue. 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 final home match in the 2016/17 Guinness PRO12
Championship. In particular, I am very pleased to welcome
the Leinster team and their President, Frank Doherty, along
with their officials and supporters.
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME