There will be thrilling rugby on show in Belfast on Saturday 23rd October when QUB host the 30th edition of the Conroy Cup, an Under-20 Championship for Irish Universities – sponsored by Maxol.
Six sides will be competing for the prestigious title – holders Dublin University, Maynooth University, NUI Galway, UCC UCD and hosts Queen's University.
The Conroy Cup was presented to the Irish Universities Rugby Union (IURU) in 1989 by UCD RFC as an Under-19 competition, in honour of the late Justice Charles Conroy, and his son Paddy.
Judge Conroy was a hugely influential figure in UCD rugby, having played for the club in the 1920s and serving as president in 1953/54. ‘The Judge’ served as Joint Honorary Secretary of the IURU and was active in establishing the annual colours match between the two Dublin universities.
Paddy Conroy, a barrister in the civil service, was also active in UCD RFC and provided important leadership to the club. He was Honorary Secretary of the Leinster Branch from 1978 to 1985 and was one of the best-known rugby officials in the country and served the game in a distinguished manner.
QUB have not won the competiiton since 1996 - Current QUBRFC Hon Sec Chris Moore captained that day.
Queen's will have a strong squad coming into this compettion and will be looking to set a big marker down at home.
U20 Rugby is a proitoty for the Club and this will tell where they stand in comparsion to the best University sides in Ireland.
CONROY CUP – IRISH UNIVERSITIES UNDER-20 CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS:
1989 UCD; 1990 UCD; 1991 UCD; 1992 UCD; 1993 UCD; 1994 UCD; 1994 UCD; 1995 UCD; 1996 Queen’s; 1997 UCC; 1998 No competition (weather); 1999 UCD; 2000 UCD; 2001 No competition (foot and mouth); 2002 UCD; 2003 UCD; 2004 UCD; 2005 UCD; 2006 UCD/DU; 2007 DU; 2008 UCC; 2009 UCC/UL; 2010 UCD; 2011 UCD; 2012 UCD; 2013 UCD; 2014 DU; 2015 DU; 2016 DU: 2017 No competition; 2018 DU.
James Humphreys QUB and Ulster Academy Outhalf will be instrumental for QUB