This is a very big week for UCC Rugby. Saturday’s AIL game versus Queens University doubles up as a Dudley Cup challenge match. Queens recently defeated DUFC in Round 15 of the AIL in Belfast – a feat that proved a hurdle too far for UCC Rugby when we played DUFC in Dublin in January. Well done Queens! UCC Rugby are the first challengers to Queen’s crown as the Dudley Cup holders.

The background to the Dudley Cup starts in 1903, when King Edward VII visited Cork. The King wished to donate a memento of his visit. It was suggested that this be “a cup for the rugger” and the Lord Lieutenant, the Earl of Dudley, arranged for a silver cup (Dudley Cup) of the highest quality to be supplied by Weir & Sons of Dublin to be contested between the three Queen’s Colleges at Belfast, Cork and Galway and it was initiated in 1903/04 season. The Dudley Cup is run by the Irish Universities Rugby Union, and is the blue riband senior intervarsity rugby competition.

UCC Rugby last won the trophy in 2001. Seems an appropriate period of time has passed since UCC Rugby last won the trophy on the field of play. Enjoy the game on Saturday.