News Release

8th March 2006


Scotland Rugby Captain and BBC Pundit launches Guinness Carrick Sevens 2006


Andy Nicol, former Scotland Rugby Captain, British Lion and current BBC Six Nations pundit today launched the Guinness Carrick Sevens 2006. Ulster's Premier Sevens Rugby tournament returns in April for the 34th time in 2006.


Andy Nicol said, 'It is an honour to come to Northern Ireland to launch the Guinness Carrick Sevens 2006. The public interest in the current Six Nations campaign, the Lions Tour and the forthcoming World Cup demonstrates how much of a following rugby has throughout the UK and to have a tournament such as the Guinness Carrick Sevens in Northern Ireland is a credit to the organisers.'


Now the largest festival of rugby in Ulster, up to 500 men and women from across the British Isles will be competing for a total prize fund of £5,000. The tournament will commence on the evening of Friday the 28th April with the Kukri Under 20s where 12 sides will be competing for the Everest Trophy, including representatives from Leamington Spa U20s who will be making their first visit to Northern Ireland. The Guinness Open will take place on Saturday the 29th in its traditional format of 24 sides from across the UK, including last year's champions, Biggar, as well as Sevens specialists Red Eye alongside Hawick Linden, Wigtownshire and Forresters with English student side Jesters making a welcome return. The competition concludes on Sunday the 30th with the inaugural Kukri Ladies 10s Tournament and the blue ribbon Manvik Senior Sevens where the elite teams will compete for a £2,000 prize, with Glasgow Hawks the newly crowned Scottish Club Champions keen to make an impact. In 2005 almost half of the 40 teams competing were from outside of Northern Ireland, with a notable entry from Spain. 2006 is expected to build on last year with team entries still being accepted by contacting Michael Simms on 07849 718004.


As well as being a rugby competition, the Guinness Carrick Sevens has become a major social festival off the pitch and for 2006 there have been significant steps to develop the facilities for the non-playing contingent. Alongside several hospitality marquees erected for the event, including bar facilities there will be a demonstration from the Wild Geese Parachute Display Team and a children zone to ensure the whole family is entertained.


Terry Loughins of Diageo said "Guinness has a long association with Irish rugby both internationally and in the domestic game. Part of that domestic association has been for the last 6 years with the Guinness Carrick Sevens, which has been going from strenght to strength. Therefore we are looking forward to another successful sevens with fast flowing rugby and slow flowing pints."


Chairman of the Northern Ireland Events Company Mervyn Elder said 'The Northern Ireland Events Company is delighted to be supporting the Guinness Carrick Sevens 2006. Rugby enjoys great popularity throughout the province and to have a competition of this size and quality in Northern Ireland is a genuine privilege.'


Mayor of Carrickfergus, Alderman David Hilditch said "As Mayor of Carrickfergus Borough, it gives me pleasure to welcome the return of the Guinness Carrick Sevens to the Borough. Carrickfergus Council is delighted to be a major sponsor of this popular tournament, attracting visitors to the Borough from across the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and mainland Europe. It has the very real potential to put Carrickfergus on the map as the new capital of sevens rugby in Ireland."


Managing Director of Manvik, John Connors said " I am very proud that once again Manvik are associated with the tournament and in particular the high standard of teams that are now being attracted to compete in the Manvik Senior Sevens."



The Guinness Carrick Sevens 2006 is supported by Guinness, Manvik, Kukri Sportswear the Northern Ireland Events Company, Carrickfergus Council and News Letter.

This article was posted on 8-Mar-2006, 11:13 by Hugh Barrow.