Jack Kyle helps 750 schoolchildren to become World Record breakers

Posted on Feb 24, 2012 in Irish Rugby, Ulster

Ireland’s greatest ever rugby player, Jack Kyle OBE, will help Belfast Royal Academy organise over 750 schoolchildren from Belfast to become Guinness World Record breakers on March 30th.

The IRB Hall of Fame inductee and Academy alumnus was today joined at the school by His Excellency, Ambassador Jeremiah Ndou, at the launch of The RaboDirect Big Scrum. The World Record attempt is being supported by RaboDirect, the straight talking online bank and proud sponsors of the RaboDirect PRO12.

The RaboDirect Big Scrum will see boys and girls from different communities across Belfast pack down at Ravenhill before Ulster’s home match with Aironi in the RaboDirect PRO12. They will aim to power past the current milestone of 750, which was set by Milton Keynes Scouts at Wembley Stadium in December last year. The money raised will help to raise funds for the school’s ‘tour of a lifetime’ to South Africa this summer, as well as supporting charities Tygerburg Children’s Hospital, Newforge Taggers and the IRFU Charitable Trust.

Chris McCarey, Head of Rugby at Belfast Royal Academy, and responsible for the fundraising idea said:

“On behalf of the school, I’d like to thank RaboDirect for supporting this initiative. The pupils are excited about having the chance to become World Record holders, especially having the opportunity to do so at Ravenhill, with the support of Jack Kyle. I’m sure it’s going to be an excellent occasion for everyone involved.”

Kyle, who won 46 caps for Ireland as well as starring for the British Lions in New Zealand and Australia in 1950, said:

“Some of my favourite experiences playing rugby have been whilst touring the southern hemisphere. It’s a great opportunity to bond with your teammates, experience new and exciting cultures and ultimately have fun. These opportunities create lifelong memories, so I wish the pupils a very good trip ’’

Maeve Moriarty, Sponsorship Programme Manager at RaboDirect, said:

“We are delighted to be able to support this opportunity and hope we can break the record. It’s great to be part of an exciting challenge that will help bring different communities together from across Belfast."

The RaboDirect Big Scrum takes place at Ravenhill on Friday March 30th. To make a donation to Belfast Royal Academy’s tour to South Africa or the associated charities, please contact through www.belfastroyalacademy.com or the school’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Ulster Ravens name experience XV to meet Doncaster

Posted on Nov 10, 2011 in Irish Rugby, Ulster

Ravens coach Gary Longwell has named an experienced team to take on Doncaster in their opening British & Irish Cup game on Friday evening at Deramore Park.

Eleven of the starting XV have played for the senior team in a competitive fixture, while the other four were all involved in pre-season friendly against Neath.

Callum Black is named at loosehead prop as he continues his efforts to return to the senior squad following a neck injury earlier in the season. He is joined by experienced hooker Nigel Brady and 22 year old development prop Adam Macklin. Neil McComb will partner Tim Barker in the second row, while Ali Birch, Mike McComish and Robbie Diack will combine in a dynamic back row.

Ballymena’s Blane McIlroy and Dungannon’s Paddy Jackson will form the half back pairing, with Phoenix Academy player Chris Farrell partnering the experienced Ian Whitten in the centre. Academy trio Chris Cochrane, Michael Allen and Peter Nelson will make up an exciting back three.

Ireland U20 captain Niall Annett is among those among the replacements, which is largely drawn from the Academy.

Two familiar faces will return to Ulster in the shape of Doncaster fullback David McIlwaine and flanker David Bradford, who both left the Province in the summer.

Longwell is glad to be able to call on a few experienced names: “We have been training well and the combinations are looking sharp. Having that sort of quality in our pack will hopefully provide our youthful back with a good platform to launch off. We expect Doncaster to be physical up front and we know they have the ability to hurt us if we don’t play to our potential.”

Ulster Ravens XV & Replacements to face Doncaster (British & Irish Cup, Deramore Park, Belfast, kick off 7.30pm)

(1-8): Callum Black, Nigel Brady, Adam Macklin, Tim Barker, Neil McComb, Ali Birch, Mike McComish, Robbie Diack

(9-15): Blane McIlroy, Paddy Jackson, Chris Cochrane, Chris Farrell, Ian Whitten, Michael Allen, Peter Nelson

(16-22): Niall Annett, Conor Carey, James Simpson, Sean O’Connell, Michael Heaney, James McKinney, Ricky Andrew

Doncaster Knights (15-9): Lee Audis Tom Luke, Michael Bateman, PJ Gidlow, Fred Burdon, Ben Toft, David McIlwaine,

(1-8): Andy Brown, Jack Yeandle, Royce Burke Flynn, Glen Kenworthy, Dominic Parsons, Andy Boyde, David Bradford, Michael Noone

(16-22): Tom Davies, Stuart Corsar, Matt Challinor, Chris Planchant, Zack Farivarz Oli Goss Dougie Flockhart

Admission is £10 for a family, £7 for an adult and £3 for kids. Everyone welcome and there is food available from the clubhouse.

Ireland to play Baa-baas

Posted on Dec 9, 2009 in Rugby News

The Irish Rugby Football Union today confirmed that Ireland will play the Barbarians for The MasterCard Trophy at Thomond Park, Limerick on Friday 4th June 2010 – Kick off 7.45pm. This match will form part of Ireland’s 2010 Southern Hemisphere tour preparations and the Barbarians’ Summer Tour, with a fixture against England the week before.

This will be the first time that Ireland has played the Barbarians in Ireland since 2000. The most recent meeting between the two sides also coincided with the last Southern Hemisphere tour Ireland undertook in 2008 when Ireland played the Barbarians in Gloucester, winning the game 39-14.

Following the Baa-Baa’s game in Limerick, the Ireland squad will depart to New Zealand and Australia where they are currently scheduled to play two games on the tour against the All Blacks on June 12th and the Wallabies on June 26th.

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Lineen says Glasgow need to do ML position justice

Posted on Dec 9, 2009 in Rugby News

Glasgow Warriors head coach Sean Lineen has this week challenged his players to back-up their status as Magners League leaders by putting in a winning performance against Gloucester when they return to Heineken Cup duty at Firhill on Friday night (kick-off 7:30pm).

“It’s a tail of two tables,” he said. “In the Magners League we’re at the top but in the Heineken Cup we’re at the bottom.

“We need to play like a team that’s at the top of the Magners League to do our current position justice.”

The Warriors lost their two opening games of the European competition away to Newport-Gwent Dragons and at home to Biarritz.

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Ireland A to play Tonga

Posted on Nov 10, 2009 in Rugby News

The Ireland ‘A’ Team to play Tonga in Ravenhill on Friday night has been announced.

The team will be captained by Shane Horgan and also includes some experienced internationals in Peter Stringer and Neil Best.

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