Ulster Rugby vs Leinster

In 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

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.com

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