Ulster Rugby vs Dragons

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

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

Tonight’s opponents are Newport Gwent Dragons and I extend a warm welcome to their team, coaches, Directors and supporters. Last week the Ulster team put in a tremendous performance in beating a strong Northampton Saints team by 29-19 and supporters will be looking for another such performance again tonight. Ulster has successfully qualified for the PRO12 play-offs for the last five seasons but unfortunately have not been able to lay their hands on that elusive piece of silverware. Hopefully tonight’s game will be the start of a successful season for Les Kiss and the Ulster squad. I would also like to congratulate Andrew Trimble and Rob Herring on being appointed joint captains for the season. Anyone who was at the double header last week would have also seen an excellent performance by the Ulster A team who defeated Canada A by 48-38. This was a highly entertaining game with considerable skill on show. The Ulster A side sponsored by CD Group, included a large number of players from the Hughes Insurance Academy and Kieran Campbell (Academy Manager) and his coaches are to be complimented on the work that they are doing with our young players. The Age Grade Inter-provincials also got underway last week with the Ulster Schools XV, sponsored by Danske Bank, playing their Munster counterparts. Unfortunately they lost narrowly 15-18 but will have the opportunity to make amends when they face Leinster Schools tomorrow in Dublin. Also tomorrow, the Ulster U19 XV face Leinster U19s at Osborne Park (KO 3.00pm) and the Ulster U18 (Clubs) side face Munster at Hatrick Park, Magherafelt (KO 1.00pm). I wish all three teams the best of luck and would encourage any Ulster supporters who can get to these games to go along and support the Ulster teams. 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 the first match in this season’s Guinness PRO12. PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

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

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