Rory Best celebration event set to finally go ahead in May

Banbridge Rugby Club is set to host a special evening to celebrate one of Ireland’s greatest ever rugby players in May.

‘A celebration of Rory Best’ will take place on Wednesday, May 25 at the Europa Hotel, Belfast.

The black-tie event will not only mark the phenomenal achievements of the retired Ireland captain, but will boost fundraising for the club’s ‘Club for All’ development project.

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Banbridge had planned hosting a night in Best's honour following his retirement after the Rugby World Cup in 2019, but the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic forced organisers to reschedule the event.

Now the club will finally get the opportunity to celebrate one of its own.

Best's chosen charity, Cancer Fund for Children, will also benefit from the event.

In September 2021, Best took on a mammoth challenge to help children across Ireland cope with the impact of cancer diagnosis. He walked an epic 180 miles from Daisy Lodge, Co. Down to the site of Cancer Fund for Children’s new short break centre in Mayo raising over £1,000,000 in the process.

He is looking forward to raising more vital funds for the charity through the celebration event.

Club President Maynard Sinton said: “We’re delighted to be able to finally host this event in Rory’s honour.

"It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Banbridge RFC and its members to host an event to celebrate such a legend.

"We are so proud of Rory and what he has achieved and we’re honoured to play a small part in helping him mark his retirement.

“As Rory took up mini rugby at Banbridge at the age of six, we’ve considered him one of our own for over 30 years! Now that he has retired, it feels like the right time to