At the launch of the Guinness Carrick 7’s 2011, Jim Simms, Jemma Millar (Diageo), Dr. Jack Kyle and Gerry Simms
With the good weather forecast to continue into the weekend, the 39th Guinness Carrick Sevens organising committee are prepared for some of the biggest crowds seen at Woodlawn. The tournament kicks off this Friday at 6pm, with the Samurai U19s competition. Eight teams will take part including last years winners the Big Cats, who are made up of pupils from Belfast Royal Academy. Their Belfast rivals Campbell College will be wanting to have a say, under the name of the OC’s, while local schools Carrick Grammar, Larne Grammar and Belfast High School will be looking to cause an upset. Scottish visitors Telford College are making their annual pilgrimage to the town, while Carrickfergus coach Warren McClean will be wanting to finish another successful season on a high.
Stephen Ferris and Jemma Millar, Diageo, kicking off the Guinness Carrick 7's for 2011
The Saturday sees 24 teams taking part in the Guinness Open, which kicks off at midday. Local representation comes from Lisburn, CIYMS, Larne, Ballyclare and BHSFP, along with a number of sides from the host club, that include the Wreckin Boys, Reapers, Warriors, Simply Class and Tropic Thunder. The Ulster Exiles will be looking to go one better and make the main final, while a number of Fijian sides will add their own unique brand of sevens to the event. The touring sides will as always be making an impact either on the pitch or in the bar, with Wigtonshire, Forresters, Harbury, Portobello and Telford College turning out. This year the organisers have encouraged all sides to select only Qualifying league players to make this a truly junior competition.
On Sunday we have the strongest men’s tournament in recent years in the Manvik Premier competition which will kick off at midday. Recently promoted AIL clubs Dungannon, Belfast Harlequins, City of Derry and Instonians will be bringing strong squads, with 2006 winners Malone, accompanied by Queens, Ards and Ballymena all wanting to walk a way with the £1000 first prize. Over the last number of years some of the current Ulster players such as Chris Henry, Paul Marshall, Craig Gilroy and last years man of the tournament, Conor Gaston have made big impacts in this tournament and this year should be no different. Indeed all younger spectators should be able spot a number of the current Ulster squad wandering through the crowds.
Running alongside the men’s competition will be the Abbey Insurance Ladies 10s, with eight teams from across Ulster looking to knock Cooke off the crown they have held for the last four years. Favourites for this will be City of Derry but Belfast Harlequins will be wanting one of their two teams to be in the mix at the end of the day. In total just under £5000 of prize money will be up for grabs amongst the 48 teams over the weekend, with cup, plate and bowl trophies being available in all four competitions.
The entertainment continues in to the evening with dance music and a Captain Morgan’s promotion in the Guinness Marquee on the Friday (£5 pay at the door). There will be live music with Rio on the Saturday and finally the Untouchables on Sunday evening. Off the pitch the action will be just as busy with bouncy castles and face painting for the kids.
All weekend we have plenty of parking adjacent to the site, so make the day or weekend of it and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the biggest rugby tournament in Ulster. For more information go to or join us Facebook at the Guinness Carrick 7s.
The Draw for the 39th Guinness Carrick Sevens:
Friday the 29th of April, Samurai U19 Sevens, kick off 6pm
Group A
Big Cats
Belfast High School
Tick Tock’s Tigers
Telford College
Group B
OCs
Ard Ravens
Larne Welsh
Carrickfergus
Saturday the 30th of April, Guinness Open Sevens, kick off 12 midday
Group A
Academy
Harbury
Telford College
Group B
Ulster Exiles
Tropic Thunder
Lisburn
Group C
Warriors
Lisburn Lions
BHSFP
Group D
Carrickfergus
Portobello Playboys
Simply Class
Group E
Down Exiles
Tiger Blood
Kaviti Warriors
Group F
Ballyclare
Wreckin Boys
Newcastle Exiles
Group G
CIYMS
PSNI
Wigtonshire
Group H
Reapers
Forrester
Carrick Cobras
Sunday the 1st of May, Manvik Premier Sevens, kick off 12 midday
Group A
Belfast Harlequins
Ards Thundercats
Queens
Instonians
Group B
Ballymena
City of Derry
Malone
Dungannon
Sunday the 1st of May, Abbey Insurance Tens, kick of 11.40 am
Group A
Cooke
Harlequin Barbarians
Queens
Balymoney
Group B
City of Derry
Belfast Harlequins
Enniskillen
Carrickfergus
All tournaments will start on a league basis and then go into knock out, with teams going into either the Cup, Plate or Bowl.
All teams are asked to been ready 30 minutes before the start of their competition, when they will briefed by the tournament organiser.
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