The 41st Guinness Carrickfergus Sevens, will take place on the 3rd to 5th of May 2013. This year the event was honoured to welcome not one but two British Lions past and present to the press launch, with Willie John McBride and Tommy Bowe attending.
CLICK HERE for launch shots
Over the years the event has established itself as the traditional end-of-season celebration of rugby, both on and off the pitch. The tournament commenced in 1973, when Alan Holmes, Ian Beggs, Wallace Luney ,John Adams and Richard Price decided that Carrickfergus RFC should start running a tournament to replace the defunct Jordanstown 7s and it is amazing that 40 years later it continues to get bigger and better.
This year we will commence on the Friday evening with the Under 19’s competition, sponsored again by Samurai, which will feature 12 sides competing for the Everest Cup. This will include sides such as Surrey Colts from England and Telford College from Scotland. If anyone should doubt the importance of developing young talent, the winner of the Most Valuable player two years ago, was Ian Henderson who is currently a member of the Irish squad.
On the Saturday we will once again host the Quigg Golden Open Competition, attracting 16 teams competing for the Holmes Salver. This will of course attract sides from England and Scotland, as well some Fijians teams, all trying to wrestle the top prize from the Ulster Exiles. This year the NGN sevens team will be competing for the first time as a charity side, in memory of the Spence family who tragically died last year in a farming accident. Supported by Ulster star Paddy McAllister they plan to show the flare and ability that their friend Nevin demonstrated when playing for Ballynahinch and Ulster, as well as raise funds for local charities.
The finale, on the Sunday, will feature the Manvik sponsored Qualifying League competition, show-casing some of the best talent in Junior rugby, with CIYMS hoping to retain the Price Cup that they won in the inaugural tournament last year, however local finalists Ballyclare will want to go one better in 2013
We will also have the additional attraction of the ladies 10s competition, sponsored by Abbey Insurance. This will see 8 ladies sides from across Ulster taking part, with Queen’s ladies wanting to defend the title they won for the first time last year.
We could not contemplate an event of this scale without the generous support of our sponsors and, on behalf of the Club, we would like to take this opportunity to thank Colin Bell of Diageo; John and Heather Connor of Manvik; John Anderson of Overplay sports, Edward Quigg of Quigg Golden and Fraser Evans of Abbey Insurance, for their generous sponsorship of the individual competitions.
In addition, we are greatly indebted for their invaluable financial and moral support of the event as a whole to Carrickfergus Borough Council; the NK Group; and last but not least, Richard Mulligan of the Newsletter.
For the seventh year we are pleased to say that Carrickfergus Rugby Football Club will not be the sole beneficiaries of this event. We are delighted to be supporting the work of the Wooden Spoon Society in their efforts to assist children with moderate and severe learning difficulties.
This year’s tournament will see 50 teams; almost 600 players; and thousands of spectators; all watching and playing rugby, enjoying themselves and hopefully spending a few pounds in the process. So keep you fingers crossed for good weather.
For all the latest info and to enter CLICK HERE
Can’t wait to cover this event and we will again be live streaming the Semi & Finals on each day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
