• • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • Technorati
  • Reddit
  • Stumble Upon
  • Furl

Irish rugby is enjoying a golden period currently and the action continues with the country awash with rugby fever over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Not only is there a small matter of a Croke Park Heineken Cup Semi-Final between Munster v Leinster to think about but there is also the biggest annual rugby party in Ireland kicking off in the shape of the notorious Heineken Kinsale 7s (1st-3rd May).

Kinsale, situated in South of Island near Cork, is one of biggest and most revered tournaments in Europe and draws in huge crowds and marks the start of the Irish sevens season. This year the prize fund has been raised to €30,000 so there is certainly plenty to play for in the 200 games across 5 pitches that will be played over the weekend. Marauders, Kooga Wailers, Stoned Pups, Kama Sutra, Drifters, Susies Saloon, JP Morgan, UCD are some of the men’s teams who have graced Kinsale and enjoyed success in the past. Women’s teams St. Alban's, Blackrock, Royal Vets, Highfield, Oxford, Clonakilty, Universitie de Rennes and Clancy's Bunnies are regulars.

Last year saw charity side ‘Wooden Spoon’ enjoy notable success. The Ladies played in two tournaments over the weekend and became the only team in the history of the tournament to win on both consecutive days, under the leadership of England captain Sue Day. The Spoon Veterans team comprised former players who have all represented their country at some level.

Their class was obvious as they swept aside the opposition and romped to victory in the 10s. In the main Men’s competition it was The Adidas Marauders, led by the Army’s Howard Graham, who took the title on the Saturday with the Irish national side enjoying success in the Sunday competition.

Speaking at the launch of the competition Michael O Sullivan, Tournament Director was building up the event. “Kinsale is the place to be this May Bank Holiday weekend. We are really looking forward to a fun filled, action packed weekend of 7s rugby to celebrate 21 years of this successful tournament, which continues to go from strength to strength. We also plan to show the Heineken Cup semi-final on a big screen at the event!”

90 teams have booked their places for this year’s tournament, including three French teams (including a ladies side that’s a part of the French Army), a South African team and a Dutch team this year. The title holders, the Adidas Marauders from the UK, will be back in action looking to defend their crown.

Pat Maher, National Events & Sponsorship Manager of Heineken Ireland was also in a buyont mood. “We are really looking forward to celebrating 21 years of the Kinsale 7s this year on a weekend when Ireland will be the focal point of rugby in Europe. The crowds attending Kinsale can avail of the party atmosphere and keep an eye on the events elsewhere too.”

The party at Kinsale has become legendary on the rugby circuit with manly flocking from far and wide around Ireland to join in for the three day festivities.

Official merchandise for this year’s tournament will be supplied by Kukri who supply 7s rugby tournaments with kits all over the world including the Melrose 7s and the Hong Kong 7s. Graham O Sullivan, Kukri Sales Manager commented, “We are delighted to come on board as the official tournament merchandise supplier for the next three years, building on our international track record.”

Catch up on all the news from Kinsale next week, only on UR7s.