University Sides Battle It Out For Conroy Cup
It promises to be a busy weekend for UCC RFC as they host the Under-21 Conroy Cup competition and also entertain Corinthians in their AIB Cup second round clash at the Mardyke on Saturday.
The 2009 Conroy Cup will be run in weekend format over this coming Saturday and Sunday, as it has done since 1998.
Prior to that, Conroy and Dudley Cup matches were played over four weekends, as the Universities travelled to each other’s campuses.
UL joining brought the participants to six but as UL are not involved this year, UCC have been asked to enter two teams.
The Conroy Cup will be presented by Mrs. Geraldine Conroy after the final on the Sunday in the historic Mardyke. Also in attendance will be members of UCC RFC committee, the University and the Irish Universities Rugby Union.
In welcoming the teams to the competition, UCC director of rugby Gary Byrne also paid tribute to the people behind the scenes and those who often do not get a mention.
“I would like to thank the referees involved in the tournament, the Munster Association of Referees for their help and Paddy Collins, UCC Fixtures Secretary, for his work in coordinating the fixtures and refeferees,” he said.
“I would also like to thank the following: our groundsmen, UCC facilities officer Pat Price, Christine O’Donovan from the UCC Department of Sport, the first aid and medical personnel, physios and doctors who are in attendance.
“Thanks also to UCC RFC President and IURU member Dr Len Harty for his assistance with social events, Bank Of Ireland, the sponsors of UCC RFC, and Kukri Sportswear.
“A special thanks goes to Paul Montgomery of Reardens bar and night club in Washington Street for his generosity in hosting the Saturday evening meal for the six teams.”
2009 UNDER-21 CONROY CUP COMPETITION:
University College Cork
Group 1: TCD, UCC 1, NUIG
Group 2: UCD, UCC 2, QUB
Saturday, October 17 –
10.45am: Arrive ‘The Farm’, Curraheen Road, Bishopstown; Warm-up area is pitch 3 for all teams
12pm: UCC 1 v TCD (pitch 1), QUB v UCD (pitch 2)
1.30pm: NUIG v TCD (pitch 1), UCD v UCC 2 (pitch 2)
3pm: NUIG v UCC 1 (pitch 1), QUB v UCC 2 (pitch 2)
6.30pm: Buffet meal in Reardens Bar, Washington Street
Sunday, October 18 –
11.30am: 3rd/4th place play-off, ‘The Farm’
1.30pm: Final, The Mardyke
2.45pm: Presentations at Mardyke Pavilion