Ulster Rugby v Dragons

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH 2017/18 OFFICERS Graf n Parke President Stephen Elliott Senior Vice President Gary Leslie 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

We extend a special welcome to all the Dragons players, officials and supporters travelling over for this evening’s game. We hope you have a very enjoyable experience in Ulster. Following on from an exciting and hard fought win over the Scarlets at Kingspan Stadium last Friday, we look forward to another great game this evening. Ulster has enjoyed an excellent start to the season with three wins from the opening three games, leaving ourselves and Leinster as the only teams currently unbeaten in Conference B. At half-time this evening we are pleased to welcome on to the pitch the all-conquering Ulster Juniors squad who won the Junior Inter-Provincial Championship at the end of last season thanks to wins over each of the other three Provinces. Congratulations to all the players, coaches, managers and officials on an outstanding achievement. Tonight we will also be recognising a significant milestone for our longest serving member of staff, Lesley McGaughey, who recently marked 30 years in the Ulster Branch. Congratulations and many thanks, Lesley. Tomorrow, our 12 All Ireland League clubs are back in action for the second round of this season’s competition. In the opening round last weekend, seven Ulster based teams recorded wins, with five losses. There is once again a full programme of fixtures in our local leagues this weekend, so we would encourage you to get out and support your local team. In our youth section we are pleased to report that a total of 96 teams have entered in the boys leagues across U18, U16, and U14 level - the future is bright! Lots of friendly games are currently being played with the Ulster Carpets Youth League games due to commence on 30th September. On Saturday afternoon the Danske Bank Ulster Schools side play Leinster Schools at Donnybrook, while the Ulster U18 Clubs host Connacht at City of Armagh RFC in the last of the Age-Grade Inter- Provincial fixtures. We extend our best wishes to both teams. SUFTUM! Graffin Parke President IRFU (Ulster Branch) As President of the IRFU Ulster Branch, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to Kingspan Stadium for tonight’s Round 4 game in the Guinness PRO14 Championship. PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

Director of Rugby Bryn Cunningham Operations Director

Kingspan Stadium, 134 Mount Merrion Avenue Belfast, BT6 0FT T +44 (0)28 9049 3222 ulsterrugby.com

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