SHOWING PRIDE IN QUEEN'S LIONS LEGENDS 
27 January 2017
With the current British and Irish Lions set to tour New Zealand this summer, all eyes will be on the Sir William Whitla Hall on Friday 21 April, when Queen’s University Rugby Club will host a Gala Dinner to celebrate the 20 players who have represented both the University and the Lions.
The event will also mark the introduction of the inaugural Robbie Moore Hall of Fame with inductees receiving a newly commissioned Robbie Moore Medal of Honour. The award is named after Robbie (Robin) who, after 30 years of dedicated service to the Club where he held post from ‘sandwich maker’ to Club President, passed away in November 2016.
Founded as Queen’s College, Belfast in 1869, Queen’s University Rugby Club is the oldest continuous rugby Club in Ulster and the second oldest in Ireland. Throughout its rich history, Queen’s has won the Ulster senior cup a record 23 times and has developed some of the greatest talent to ever don an Ulster, Irish or British and Irish Lions shirt.
Queen’s is synonymous with many of the greats of rugby having provided the Lions with 20 players, more than any other club in Ireland. From Andrew Foster and William Tyrell on the 1910 tour to South Africa, to Lieutenant Colonel Blair ‘Paddy’ Mayne in the 1930s, from Jack Kyle in the 1950s to Trevor Ringland and Nigel Carr in the 1980s and to the Club’s latest Lion Tommy Bowe a double tourist in 2009 and 2013, many have donned the now famous red jersey that sports the amalgamated crests of the four unions.
The University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students, Professor David Jones, said: “This unique reunion of rugby legends who have represented Queen’s and the Lions celebrates all that is great about Queen’s and rugby. It is another example of how this University is at the heart of the city, with world-class sporting facilities right on our doorstep.”
The Gala Dinner will be followed by a Q&A session with Lions from various generations, so ‘what happens on tour’ won’t necessarily be ‘staying on tour’! Afterwards, some of the Club’s and Lions legends will be inducted into the Hall of Fame and will receive a special presentation.
Head of Queen’s Sport Liz McLaughlin said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to recognise 20 former Queen’s, British and Irish Lions for all they have achieved for the Rugby Club, the University and their sport. They led the way and inspired many students throughout their journey at Queen’s, on and off the pitch, which ultimately paved the way for the establishment of the Rugby Academy in 2002. The event will also witness the first inductee to the Robbie Moore Hall of Fame.”
An auction and ballot with some unique sporting memorabilia and other top prizes will take place on the night to support the Rugby Academy, which aims to develop rugby performance and participation at the University.
Tickets (£70) or tables of 10 (£650) are available to purchase from Queen's PEC Reception | sport@qub.ac.uk | 028 9068 1126
Donations to the Jack Kyle Rugby Academy at Queen’s can be made online using the (Fund Name) drop-down menu. For further information contact Meaghan Lyons on +44 (0)28 9097 3928.
Media inquiries to Darryl Callaghan, Rugby Development Officer, Queen’s University Belfast on 0784 237 5114.
Caption: (L-R): Liz McLaughlin, Thom Dickerson (front) QUBRFC student committee, Professor David Jones, Trevor Ringland, Nigel Carr, David Irwin and QUBRFC President, Simon Harland.
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