compiled by John O'Sullivan
Chance to win tickets to see Leinster play Biarritz
Now this column is noted for its generosity and has absolutely no qualms about taking all the credit for an offer to our reader(s). Thanks to Leinster rugby we will be in the position over the next couple of weeks to provide two stand tickets for the Heineken European Cup quarter-final match against Biarritz at Lansdowne Road in April to the winners of a series of competitions.
All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is to correctly answer the question below and respond by e-mail to josullivan@irish-times.ie, providing your name, address and a contact number.
Q. What is the name of the Leinster team's official mascot?
Connacht wide awake:
It seems Connacht Branch and team management have been as good as their word following the reprieve doled out by the IRFU about the future of the province and its professional set-up.
The Branch, through team manager John Fallon (right), announced that a new Connacht Rugby Supporters Club is to be formed in the coming weeks aimed at giving fans a more active role in the progress of the side.
It is seen as the ideal way forward for those well disposed towards rugby in the province - and they were evident in recent weeks, when the Friends of Connacht Rugby group did so much to channel support for the side.
The Branch has undertaken to provide the "best possible assistance from Connacht Rugby, with a view towards ensuring the best facilities and deals for fans both at matches at home and abroad." The sports public in Connacht is now charged with providing tangible assistance in terms of supporting their provincial side in significant numbers, something they have singularly failed to do in previous years.
It's not so long ago that the Sportsground was funereal in atmosphere with very few taking the time or interest, save for a few big games, against national touring sides. It's all well and good travelling to Athlone in numbers or marching on Lansdowne Road when the province's professional existence is threatened but quite another to commit to supporting the team in practical terms.
If Connacht are to survive and flourish in the professional game they will need the help of the fans in the same way in which growing numbers have adopted the Leinster team - another whose support was fickle at the best of times - to show that rugby matters.
Those wishing to join the new supporters club are asked to e-mail info@friendsofconnachtrugby.com. Alternatively fans can write to John Fallon, Team Manager, Connacht Rugby, Galway Sportsground, College Road, Galway.
Details of the club will be posted on the Connacht Rugby website in the coming weeks at www.connachtrugby.ie.
Worthy World Cup walk
Looking for a reasonably cheap way to see the World Cup in Australia? Then it might be worth signing up for the World Cup 2003 sponsored walk in aid of the IRFU Charitable Trust. Following the success of the Irish "Lions" Rugby Challenge in Australia two years ago, an Irish "World Cup" 2003 Rugby Challenge for injured players is also being organised in October next.
It will take the form of a 100km sponsored walk in Adelaide, Surfers Paradise and Melbourne to coincide with Ireland's initial matches in the World Cup later this year. You can become the bane of your "former" friends and work colleagues as you chase the money to make the trip.
Participants are required to raise a minimum of €5,750. The package includes flights to and from Australia, four-star accommodation, guaranteed entry to Ireland v Argentina and Australia, plus the quarter-final match and a souvenir track suit, T-shirt and bag. There is also a day out at the Melbourne Cup horse race.
Maths not being this column's strong point, we respectfully suggest that it would require an individual button-holing 200 people at €30, a not unreasonable task.
All proceeds go to the IRFU Charitable Trust for Injured Players and enquiries should be made to Mick Quinn at 01-4963515 or Eleanor Connolly at 01-2834277.
Ulster draw on support:
It is interesting to note the IRFU's stretched resources are forcing the provincial branches to come up with money-making schemes to generate revenue. The Ulster Branch is set to tap into their loyal fan-base by offering a select number of seats for sale for all home matches over a five-year term from the 2003-2004 season.
The Ulster Branch are offering 300 top-quality seats in block B of the grandstand as debenture seats from season 2003/04-2007/08. They are hoping to attract companies, families or individuals to guaranteed seats for all Ulster friendlies, interprovincials, Celtic League group stage and Heineken Cup group stage games. The cost is £995 plus VAT (£1,169.12) per seat.
Traditionally Ulster has attracted great support at home and those interested in copper-fastening their Ravenhill viewing for the next five seasons are required to send a cheque for £995 plus VAT (£1,169.12) per seat, made payable to the IRFU Ulster Branch, and a note of your name, company name (if applicable), address, telephone number and e-mail address to: Simon Wallace, commercial manager IRFU (Ulster Branch), Ravenhill Grounds, 85 Ravenhill Park, Belfast, BT6 0DG.
Food for thought:
AH, the glamour of coaching in the AIB League Division Three! A recent phone call by a colleague to Queen's University coach Robbie Moore to check on a couple of statistics relating to the club revealed that the QUB coach's time was very precious intend. Why? Well he was making the filling for the sandwiches for the first team's home match and then had to attend to the soup. Now that really is selfless dedication.
Dedicated to club cause:
A while ago most internationally contracted players wouldn't deign (in fairness, they wouldn't be allowed) to play an AIB League club game. Not last weekend though. Leo Cullen played for Blackrock, David Wallace started for Garryowen while David Humphreys almost started for Dungannon.
After initially seeking and receiving permission to play, he decided against it, something Terenure College can indeed be grateful for as they lost to Dungannon 45-12.
