ZURICH A DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE

Next Tuesday 17th February, London Irish take on Saracens in the Zurich A Development League.  Kick off is 7.30pm at Sunbury.  Come and support the team!

THE COMMITMENTS* TO HEADLINE AT ST. PATRICK'S CELEBRATIONS

London Irish is delighted to announce that The Commitments* will be headlining the outdoor concert at this years St Patrick's celebrations on Sunday, 21 March. 

Alan Parker's black comedy film The Commitments was released in 1991, helping to re-launch true soul music to a younger audience.  Songs like Mustang Sally, Try a Little Tenderness, Take me to the River and Chain of Fools are now synonymous with The Commitments.

Dave Finnegan is one of the original stars of the film and has taken his Commitment's band on tour around the world, performing with soul legends including James Brown and Wilson Picket.  Sam Moore questioned 'How can a little white guy have a soul and a voice that's so black?!'

The band will be playing as part of London Irish's St Patrick's Weekend celebrations.  An outdoor stage at the Madejski Stadium will host live music from 12noon on Sunday, 21 March, pausing while Irish take on Premiership leaders Bath on the pitch from 3pm.  London Irish favourites Le Cheile will also be playing live throughout the afternoon.

Spectators are highly advised to book tickets in advance either via the ticket hotline (0118 968 1000) or www.london-irish.com.  Remember Kids Go Free** with a paying adult.

AND DON'T FORGET that London Irish are taking on LEICESTER TIGERS on Saturday, 21 Feb at the Madejski (2.30pm KO).  Watch legendary World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson in action on the pitch and then catch the 6 Nations Scotland vs. England match on TV at the Madejski bars.

*Dave Finnegan's Commitments

**One Free under 16 match ticket for every adult ticket purchased, must be bought before Fri, 12 March

EXILES TEAM UP WITH O'NEILL'S

London Irish has teamed up with O'Neill's and Guinness to run a series of pub nights for London Irish supporters over the next few months. The first two evenings will take place at Wardour Street in Central London (Wednesday 18th February) and Reading (Wednesday 25th February) and both start at 8pm.

Eight members of the playing squad will be on hand to serve drinks between 8pm and 10.30pm. There will be special prize draws on the night, with the main prize of a signed London Irish shirt (donated by Canterbury, the London Irish Official Kit Sponsor). Raffle tickets will be given out with every pint of Guinness bought!  Additional raffle prizes will include signed rugby balls and tickets for the big St. Patrick's Weekend match against Bath on Sunday 21st March.

Justin Bishop, London Irish and Ireland International, said, "The pub evenings are always a good night out and it's great to meet our supporters in an informal atmosphere. O'Neill's pubs are the perfect venue for Irish fans to meet up and we can't wait to get along to them."

Keep checking the website for updates on both evenings, the attending players will be confirmed next week!

PAUL HULL COACHING AT REDINGENSIANS

Paul Hull, London Irish Backs Coach, paid a special visit to the Exile's partner club, Redingensians RFC last night to deliver a coaching session to the Under 16 age group.

The Redingensians U16 team is preparing for an all-important clash with Bath this weekend at The Rec and are confident that Hully's expertise has helped develop a winning style for 'ensians.  Paul Maycock, Head Coach at Redingensians, comments; "It was great having Paul lead a coaching session last night – his experience and skills have been beneficial for everyone lucky enough to take part in the session."

The visit is part of the Powergen National Rugby Community Programme, which is now the largest rugby community programme in the world!  Over 400,000 people are reached by the Powergen National Rugby Community Programme each year and London Irish is delighted to coach the Redingensians U16s as part of the programme.

HOLIDAY COACHING WEEK CONFIRMED

Wokingham Sport & Leisure in association with London Irish will be running children's holiday rugby activities at Redingensians RFC during 2004. The first of these will be held from 16th February to 20th February. Run as part of London Irish's community rugby programme, coaching will be provided by RFU qualified coaches and the week will feature a visit from London Irish. The week's activities are designed to improve rugby skills in an enjoyable way, and are ideal for individual children or for a group of children from a club's mini section or school.

Picture courtesy of www.sports-alive.com
 
The rugby activity is open to children between the ages of 8 and 13. Each age group will receive coaching in accordance with the RFU continuum for age group rugby. Additionally, each participant will receive a ticket to a Zurich Premiership match!!
 
For further information and a booking form contact Wokingham Sport & Leisure:
 
Telephone:        0118 940 3861
Fax:                 0118 940 6568
e-mail:              enquiries@wokinghamsport.co.uk
web:                 www.wokinghamsport.co.uk

ST. PATRICK'S WEEKEND HOSPITALITY

Once again we will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day in style, if a little belatedly. As always this match is proving very popular in the hospitality area and we have just our restaurant package remaining so please do book early.

Price per person: £90 inclusive of VAT 

To book call Kelly on 01932 750113 or e-mail kelly.adey@london-irish.com

SERIOUS WALKIES FOR DIGGER

Digger, Irish wolfhound and mascot to London Irish Rugby Club, is undertaking the Reading Half Marathon for the second time this year!

The race is on Sunday 7th March and Digger has been in training for his extra long walkies for a couple of months now. The wolfhound has quite an impressive record to live up to, as he finished the race in doggie time of just over 2 hours in 2003.

London Irish season ticket holder and registered osteopath Steve Orton has taken up the challenge of running the half marathon for the big hound. Steve has chosen to run for the Jarrod Cunningham SALSA Foundation and the Oakhaven Hospice Trust. Click on the link to see his special website and online sponsorship form Digger Sponsorship.

Digger barks, "I need to get back in shape after eating too many doggy treats at Christmas. I will be doing some training at the Madejski later this month when Irish are at home to Leicester Tigers (Saturday 21st February, KO 2.30pm). It's great of Steve to help me round the course and I hope we make some serious corgi money for the SALSA Foundation." 

MEGASTORE NEWS

As our next home game against Leicester Tigers is on Saturday 21st February, the Megastore will have extended opening hours from 9.00am to 5.30pm.  Come early and avoid the crowds!

We are pleased to have bronx hats and scarves back in the Megastore, order online today!  There are also further reductions on Contrast and Urban products, with the polos now at £15 and the t-shirts at just £10. 

NARBONNE COMPETITION

Thank you to everyone who responded to the competition run by our friends from Narbonne last month.

The winner (drawn from over 600 entries) is Paul Branch from Tunbridge Wells, who will be enjoying a holiday for 6 people in one of 5 Mediterranean resorts in the South of France.

IRISH DEALS

London Irish has teamed up with the companies below to offer our fans some of the best deals in cyberspace! By purchasing from these companies, revenues will be generated which go towards the development of the Club. Just click on the links and get shopping!

The companies involved are: WH Smith; Curry's; Boots; John Lewis; Amazon; e-drive; Action Images; lastminute.com; and e-bay. 

AN INTERVIEW WITH .......

This week we have interviewed Kieran Roche, next week Adam Halsey will answer your questions. If you have any questions you would like us to put to Adam please email them to info@london-irish.com

THE BLARNEY

Over 9,300 people have currently subscribed to the Blarney; do you forward this to your mates? Or do you print it out and pass it around? Well, why not provide us with their e-mail address so that they can receive their own personal copy.

E-mail Jon Salinger ( jon.salinger@london-irish.com) with e-mail addresses. Let us try and spread the word of London Irish to a much greater audience.