86 teams and 10,000 supporters are expected to take over Kinsale on the May Bank Holiday Weekend for the 25th anniversary of the Heineken Kinsale 7’s.
A €30,000 prize fund has attracted teams from around Ireland, from Britain, France, the United States and Canada.
There are three categories of elite, open and social competition and this applies equally to the Men’s and Women’s games.
There are 25 teams taking part in the Women’s tournaments, supported no doubt by some of the players who will be involved in Ireland’s first ever participation in the Rugby 7’s Women’s World Cup in Moscow later in the summer.
Ireland International and member of the 15’s Grand Slam winning team Joy Neville was on hand to launch the event alongside former Munster Captain on the Men’s side Mick O’Driscoll as can be seen in the video below.
The French Navy and and IRFU Development Squad are among those teams entered for the Women’s elite competition, alongside the quirkily titled Tommy Bohs side from the University of Limerick.
Are you interested in bridging the massive gap that exists in commercial funding for Men’s and Women’s Sport. Join us on May 23rd for a major Sport for Business Conference, in association with UCD Smurfit Business School on A New Approach to Women’s Sport.
Heineken continues its long association with the event and Pat Maher Heineken’s Events and Sponsorship Manager said; “We, together with a number of our business partners in Kinsale and surrounding areas, are delighted with our long association with this fantastic event.”
“We are pleased to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Heineken Kinsale 7s and wish Kinsale RFC every good wish for many more tournaments. Kinsale RFC have retained an extraordinary rugby 7s festival in each of the previous 24 editions while continuing to add increased and enhanced facilities for the betterment of the supporters and players.”
“It is a truly remarkable dedication to their Club and the game of rugby despite the continued challenging economic climate over the last 5 years”.
The Heineken Kinsale Sevens generates a massive boost to the local economy at the start of the tourism season and is staffed entirely by volunteers. It is a hugely important event for Kinsale town and district and allows Kinsale showcase its heritage and gourmet reputation.
Kukri is the official event wear for the tournament for the fifth year and other commercial partners include Kinsale Town Council, EMC as well as smaller businesses like Pride Passion Party, Hayes Caravan Services, and Graepel Perforators & Weavers who sponsoring locally crafted trophies for the 25th anniversary event.
Read more of our recent news and analysis of Rugby in Ireland here.
Kinsale Rocking for 25th Heineken 7’s
