Bank of Ireland Senior Cup and Towns Cup Competitions Launched

 

City Of Armagh RFC Coach Ali Birch, City Of Armagh RFC Vice-Captain Nigel Simpson, City Of Armagh RFC Vice President Tom Galbraith, Ulster Branch President Gary Leslie, George Higginson Director of Northern Ireland, Partnerships & Mortgages at Bank of Ireland UK, Enniskillen RFC President Freddie Frazer, Enniskillen RFC member Ciaran McElduff and Ulster Branch CEO Jonny Petrie pictured at Kingspan Stadium at the launch of the Bank Of Ireland Senior Cup and Towns Cup competitions pictured at Kingspan Stadium, Ravenhill Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Photo by John Dickson/Dicksondigital

 

10 January 2022

The 2021/22 Bank of Ireland Senior Cup and Towns Cup competitions have been launched at Kingspan Stadium, in the company of the captains from each of the current cup holders.

The Senior Cup and Towns Cup are two of the most eagerly anticipated competitions in the domestic rugby calendar, and the province’s clubs will be keener than ever following a year’s COVID-enforced absence.

City of Armagh are the reigning Bank of Ireland Senior Cup champions, having followed up their maiden title in 2018 with two more successive titles to make it a tremendous three-in-a-row with a pulsating 38-34 victory over Ballynahinch in 2020.

Enniskillen were the last team to win the Towns Cup and that was back in April 2019, when they ended an 82 year wait with a superb 19-0 victory over Ballyclare. The 2020 competition did reach the final stage, but unfortunately the showdown between Ballynahinch 2nd XV and Ballyclare was unable to be played due to the onset of the pandemic.

Bank of Ireland – who are Ulster Rugby’s longest standing partner of more than two decades – became title sponsor of the Senior Cup in 2019 and have further committed their support to all levels of the game in the province by taking on the sponsorship of the Towns Cup.

Commenting at the launch of the competitions, Ulster Rugby CEO Jonny Petrie, said:

“Ulster has enjoyed a long and successful partnership with Bank of Ireland, and we’re delighted that they have re-affirmed their commitment to the growth of domestic rugby by sponsoring the Towns Cup, in addition to their ongoing support for the Senior Cup. After such a challenging period for our clubs in Ulster, it’s fantastic to see the return of both tournaments, and I wish all competing teams the best of luck.”

George Higginson, Director of Northern Ireland, Partnerships & Mortgages at Bank of Ireland UK, said:

“We’re excited to see the return of the Bank of Ireland Senior Cup and to come on-board this year as a partner of the Towns Cup also. Competitions like this firmly support Bank of Ireland’s #NeverStopCompeting commitment to driving forward the sport in Ulster. As a proud supporter of rugby across the island of Ireland, we’re delighted to help develop and grow the game, and improve accessibility for all.”

Bank of Ireland Senior Cup Fixtures

Round 1 – Sat 8 Jan 2022
Queen’s University v Ballymena
Malone v Banbridge
Dungannon v Belfast Harlequins
Bangor v Ballynahinch
Bye: Rainey Old Boys, Omagh, City of Derry, City of Armagh

Quarter-Finals – Sat 19 Mar

Semi-Finals – Sat 16 Apr

Final – Sat 14 May at Kingspan Stadium

Bank of Ireland Towns Cup Fixtures

Round 1 – Sat 15 Jan 2022
City Of Derry 2nd XV v Dungannon 2nd XV
Limavady v Omagh 2nd XV
Lisburn v Letterkenny
City of Armagh 2nd XV v Donaghadee
Coleraine v Rainey Old Boys 2nd XV
Monaghan v Ballymoney
Ballynahinch 2nd XV v Banbridge 2nd XV
Ballymena 2nd XV v Randalstown
Ards v Larne
Bye: Portadown, Dromore, Enniskillen, Carrickfergus, Ballyclare, Lurgan, Clogher Valley

Round 2 – Sat 12 Feb

Quarter-Finals – Sat 26 Feb

Semi-Finals – Sat 19 Mar

Final – Mon 18 Apr at Kingspan Stadium