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The Community Cup was a floodlit tournament run by Armagh Rugby Club for U14 and U16 teams around the province in conjunction with the Ulster Branch and the Community Relations Division of the PSNI, and ran for three years between the 2005/6 and 2007/8 seasons. Over the three years of the tournament, it attracted clubs from as far afield as Coleraine,Randalstown, Enniskillen, Rainey OB and Malone and received regular support from clubs closer to home such as Ballynahinch, Dromore, Monaghan, Lisburn, Lurgan,Portadown, Newry and Banbridge.
From the first year of the tournament, spectators were treated to a superb standard of rugby from all teams and the spread of winning clubs over the period of the competition simply highlights the competitive nature of age grade rugby in Ulster - first year winners were Ballynahinch at U14 and Lisburn at U16 level, followed the next year by Enniskillen at U14 and Ballynahinch at the older level while last season saw a clean sweep by two very strong Monaghan sides.
Other individual matches will stay in the memory of the spectators and proud parents who watched, such as the Armagh vs. Ballynahinch U16 Semi-Final, where Hinch clinched a tight victory with the last score of the match, or the Coleraine vs. Malone match at the same age group on a cold frosty night won by Coleraine by a margin of just 2 points. At the younger level, some of the back play from the winning Enniskillen team of 2006/7 was a joy to watch as was the half back play from the Banbridge scrum and fly half the following season.
Lack of sponsorship led to the tournament being mothballed this season, but Armagh RFC firmly believe that there is room in the calendar for a floodlit tournament for both these age groups. Sponsors’ are being actively sought in order to re-launch this tournament next season but given the current economic climate are hard to find. If you are interested in supporting or sponsoring this event please contact Paul McCord at paul.mccord1@btinternet.com. |
