Thursday, April 28, 2016

Front Five - 28.04.16

Start your day with five eye-catching egg-chasing quotes & links from around the ruggersphere.
 
Normally I say forget the past and focus on the future
but not when it comes to disciplinary rulings
The Farrell decision is one clearly designed
to make sure he can play in the Champions Cup final
and it happens too often (yes to Leinster & Irish players too)
 
 

"For some reason people are linking it to head knocks. Crazy talk."
 
 
Johnny Watterson - Irish Times

"They got the timing of it entirely wrong."
 
 
Raf Diallo - Newstalk's "Off The Ball"

"Would I be happy with Chris Henry, Robbie Diack and Roger Wilson playing in the back-row for Ulster next season going into the first European Cup game? Definitely not."
 
 
Cian Tracey - The42.ie

"These types of opportunities only come around once and I couldn't turn it down."
 
 
Lewis Hughes - Talking Rugby Union

He will miss the Premiership matches against Newcastle Falcons and Worcester Warriors but will be eligible for the Champions Cup final against Racing 92 in Lyon on 14 May.
 
 
Ryan Bailey - The42.ie

Feel free to share any interesting links you spot yourself about t’internet by email, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, blog comment or carrier pigeon – whatever works for you. JLP
Note - views expressed in "Front Five" links do not necessarily reflect those of HarpinOnRugby

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Leinster Representative side to face Polish champions in Donnybrook

from Leinster Rugby…

logo

Polish and Irish rugby teams will meet for the first time in history for a friendly match on May 21st, as part of this year's PolskaÉire Festival. Arka Gdynia, Poland's champions, will face a Leinster Representative Side in this historic encounter. 

At the launch in Donnybrook, Polish Ambassador to Ireland, Ryszard Sarkowicz, said: "We are proud to present the second PolskaÉire Festival, with rugby taking centre stage, just as soccer did last year. 2016 is special to us as, apart from the Irish Centenary, we are also celebrating 40 years of diplomatic relations between Poland and Ireland. I especially cherish the way the Festival manages to engage with local communities around the country – alongside large scale events in cities from Dublin to Cork, there are also events in smaller towns such as Balbriggan, Gorey and Arklow. PolskaÉire really gets people to go out there and celebrate Irish-Polish friendship. As we say at PolskaÉire: the craic will be dobry!”

Leinster Rugby President, Robert McDermott, said: "This is a wonderful and unique sporting fixture and I know all the lads involved with the Leinster team are looking forward to the fixture. It is great to be involved in the PolskaÉire Festival 2016 and I am delighted to support the festival. I'd ask Leinster supporters to come out and support our boys in blue in Donnybrook and to keep an eye out for other great events all over the province.”

Speaking at the launch, Minister of State Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, who was involved in setting up the first PolskaÉire Festival said: "I am delighted to see the return of the PolskaÉire Festival this year, after a hugely successful debut in 2015, where initial plans for 10 events become a whole Festival with over 100 events across the country.  The programme this year promises to be even bigger and more diverse, building on the great work started last year and continuing to showcase the strength of the Polish-Irish relationship to help it flourish.  I cannot wait to see what the Poles are worth on the rugby pitch, and I'm looking forward to the fantastic concert Kíla will perform with the Polish star Kayah in Vicar Street.”

The 2nd PolskaÉire Festival will take place from 16th-22nd May, featuring over 70 events across Ireland in Arklow, Balbriggan, Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Ennis, Galway, Gorey, Kilkenny, Limerick, Swords, Wexford, to name just a few. This year, three cities from Poland will also take part in the Festival: Gdynia, Kielce and Rzeszów.
Other festival highlights include:

  • Kayah & Kíla in concert - a unique collaboration between a cult Polish singer (Kayah) and a leading Irish folk band (Kíla), who will present an exclusive programme in Vicar Street (May 22nd)
  • A Taste of Poland – a Polish food & produce fair in Liberty Hall (May 21st)
  • Solidarity According to Women – a screening of this renowned film, followed by a discussion of the role of women at crucial moments in Polish and Irish history. Held in Trinity College Dublin (May 19th) 

€250,000 Up For Grabs with Topaz ‘Cash for Clubs’

REPRO FREE***PRESS RELEASE NO REPRODUCTION FEE***
Topaz Cash for Clubs Launch with Jonathan Sexton, Topaz, Northern Cross, Clonshaugh, Dublin 27/4/2016
Pictured at the launch of Cash for Clubs is Topaz ambassador Jonathan Sexton. The Ireland and Leinster out-half who has joined Topaz in encouraging clubs across the country to sign up to the community initiative, which offers clubs of all types and sizes from across the island of Ireland the chance to win up to €250,000 in cash prizes. 
For more, see: www.topaz.ie 
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Ireland’s Jonathan Sexton kicks off 2016 Campaign with ‘Cash for Clubs’ Challenge

· Top Prize of €10,000

· 10 clubs thereafter will win €5,000

· 140 clubs after this will receive €1,000

topazTopaz has today announced the return of Topaz ‘Cash for Clubs’, a community initiative, which offers clubs of all types and sizes from across the island of Ireland the chance to win up to €250,000 in cash prizes.

On hand to kick off the 2016 campaign was Topaz ambassador and Ireland Rugby international Jonathan Sexton, who has joined Ireland’s leading fuel and convenience retailer in encouraging clubs across the country to sign up and get involved.

With 444 forecourts across the island of Ireland, Topaz is at the heart of Irish communities and recognises the vital role that clubs play in providing opportunities for people of all ages to learn new skills, socialise, and be active. However, fundraising has never been so difficult with clubs struggling to raise much-needed investment to support the services and facilities they provide.

2015 was the first year that Topaz launched the ‘Cash for Clubs’ programme which calls on clubs to harness the support of their members and the local community to participate in their efforts as part of the programme. Last year saw the company award cash prizes of over €250,000 through the initiative with Borrisoleigh GAA Club in County Tipperary winning the main prize of €10,000. Following the success of last year’s promotion, Topaz ‘Cash for Clubs’ is returning for a second year.

‎Marketing Director of Topaz, Margaret Barron said: “With over 440 forecourts across the island of Ireland, Topaz plays a significant role within communities across the country, each and every day, providing services and employment across our 32 county network. With that, we are very close to communities across Ireland and understand the value of clubs of all shapes and sizes. ‘Cash for Clubs’ was a huge success in its inaugural year in 2015 and this year will see a further €250,000 donated to clubs nationwide. Topaz ‘Cash for Clubs’ is open to clubs of all types and sizes so, whether your local club is big or small, ballet or basketball, gymnastics or GAA, we encourage you to show your support and start collecting tokens at your local Topaz station.”

Topaz ‘Cash for Clubs’ ambassador Jonathan Sexton said: “Clubs, sporting and non-sporting, play a huge role in Irish communities but are constantly faced with the challenge of raising funds to support their upkeep and development. It’s great to be involved in the Topaz ‘Cash for Clubs’ initiative which plays a big part in giving clubs across the country that much-needed helping-hand when it comes to investment. It’s a simple initiative but one that I feel will continue to make a big difference.”

How it works:

The programme works directly through the Topaz Play or Park Loyalty platform. Clubs can register at playorpark.ie/cash-for-clubs (ROI) orplayorpark.co.uk/cash-for-clubs (NI) and, once registered, members of the club and customers in their community can start to collect tokens using a Play or Park gametag which are available in-store or through the Topaz Play or Park app. You’ll receive one token once you spend €30/£20 or more on fuel purchases and once you have linked your gametag to your chosen club your tokens will be automatically allocated to your club. Once a club has collected 2000 tokens, they will be automatically entered into an ‘everyone-wins’ draw:

GRAND PRIZE DRAW:

• 1st Club drawn will win €10,000

• 10 Clubs thereafter will win €5,000 and

• 140 Clubs after this will receive €1,000

• All Clubs thereafter who meet the required token amount will receive €250.

‘Cash for Clubs’ will run for 12 weeks in total beginning Monday 16th May 2016 and ending Sunday 7th August 2016.

#CashForClubs

cash for clubs

D4tress

D4tress
Taken by JLP from RDS press box on Nov 16, 2019