Ulster Rugby congratulates Greg Irwin (Clogher Valley RFC) on his election as the 129th President of the IRFU Ulster Branch at the Branch’s 150th Annual General Meeting, held at The Cran, Fivemiletown, home of Clogher Valley RFC, on Thursday 25 June.
A lifelong supporter and advocate of rugby in Ulster, Greg brings more than two decades of volunteer service to the role, alongside extensive senior executive and non-executive experience in the public sector.
Born and raised in Clogher Valley, Greg played rugby at his local school before representing Enniskillen RFC and earning representative honours at Ulster age-grade level. He also played in Clogher Valley RFC’s first competitive fixture 35 years ago and has remained at the heart of the club’s development ever since.
His contribution to the club includes helping secure funding for pitch developments and serving as President during Clogher Valley’s 25th anniversary year.
Speaking about his club, Greg said:
“I am so proud of what Clogher Valley has achieved over the last 35 years and is still on a development journey. The club’s success has been built on incredibly committed volunteers and the club’s deep roots in the community.”
Greg’s election follows 23 years of service across a range of Ulster Branch committees and leadership roles, including Branch Honorary Competitions Secretary, Chair of the Rugby Committee and Senior Vice President.
Reflecting on his involvement with the Branch, he said:
“I believe strongly that you don’t wait for things to happen and, at a time when today’s amateur rugby players have so many demands on their leisure time, anticipating their needs is critical to sustaining and growing our club and school game.”
Among the key initiatives he highlights during his time with the Branch are reforms designed to strengthen participation and player experience across Ulster Rugby.
“The Participation Review, which brought a step change towards a more player-focused approach to the club game and the development of innovative approaches to rebuilding schools and club links.”
Greg also pointed to the progress made in supporting and developing the women’s game across the province.
“The approach that we took to re-organise women’s club competitions put women’s rugby on a sounder footing and holding the first Women’s Junior Cup final on Easter Monday at the Affidea stadium, at the same time as the men’s, sent a powerful signal about promoting the women’s game.”
Looking back on some of the defining moments of his involvement with Ulster Rugby, Greg paid tribute to the people who have helped shape the game across the province.
“I am very lucky to have worked with outstanding Branch staff and fantastically dedicated volunteers. I will never forget the response during Covid which showed the very best of Ulster Rugby - staff and volunteers stepping up at all hours to get the club game back on its feet.”
As President, Greg says his focus will be on championing and supporting rugby in every corner of the province.
“What makes volunteering for the Branch rewarding is the diversity of the Ulster rugby family. Knowing about the challenges for rugby in the south and west of the province, my priority is to support, promote and create awareness of the diversity and richness of our Ulster rugby family.”
He continued:
“From one professional team through to thousands of players across schools and clubs. From Inishowen in the north, to Virginia in the south, to Ballyshannon in the west, to Donaghadee in the east. We are nine counties, but one province.”
Looking ahead to the new season, Greg believes there is genuine momentum around the Ulster Rugby professional team.
“You can see and feel the tangible progress that Richie Murphy has achieved over the last year. Reaching a European final, seeing the number of Ulster players now in the national squad, and the way younger players have stepped up, there’s a real excitement for the new season.”