Ulster Rugby vs Exeter Chiefs

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

Before 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.

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.com

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