RUGBY STARS MICK O’DRISCOLL AND JOY NEVILLE LINE OUT FOR THE 25th ANNIVERSARY HEINEKEN KINSALE 7S
Former Irish International and Munster Captain, Mick O’Driscoll, together with Irish Women’s International and member of the Grand Slam winning team, Joy Neville, helped launch the 25th Anniversary Heineken Kinsale 7s at the White Lady, Kinsale, last night. The world-renowned event takes place in Kinsale over the May Bank Holiday (4th and 5th May). 
The Heineken Kinsale 7s promises to be a weekend of competitive running rugby for the attractive prize fund of €30,000 as well as a creating a truly festival atmosphere, with over 10,000 visitors expected in the seaside town.
Due to its continued popularity, the event is now fully subscribed with 86 teams registered from the USA, Canada, France, UK and throughout Ireland, featuring elite and club players from all over the world.
Kinsale RFC welcomes to the Men’s Elite Competition the Red Pandas (UK), Wooden Spoon (UK) a Munster team and a mystery Cork based team. Also, a number of teams in the Men’s Open and Social competitions, to include The Blackheath Bandits, The Lightning Bolts, Rennes 2, and the Globetrotters.
The Women’s tournament is even bigger this year, with over 25 teams in Elite, Open and Social competitions including the French Navy, Cleveland Women’s Rugby from the USA,  Newfie Streels from Canada, Wooden Spoon Women from the UK, an IRFU development team and the Tommy Bohs from UL.
Pat Maher Heineken’s Events and Sponsorship Manager said; “Heineken, alongside our business partners in Kinsale and surrounding areas, are delighted with our long association with this fantastic event. We are pleased to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Heineken Kinsale 7s and wish Kinsale RFC every good wish for many more tournaments. Kinsale RFC have retained an extraordinary rugby 7s festival in each of the previous 24 editions while continuing to add increased and enhanced facilities for the betterment of the supporters and players. It is a truly remarkable dedication to their Club and the game of rugby despite the continued challenging economic climate over the last 5 years”.
To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the event, three ex-Lions, Tom Kiernan, Noel Murphy and Ronnie Dawson will attend the Heineken 7s on Sunday 5th May.  Another feature this year is the TAG competition and entries for this are now open on www.kinsale7s.com.
The Heineken Kinsale Sevens generates a massive boost to the local economy at the start of the tourist season and is staffed entirely by volunteers.  It is a hugely important event for Kinsale town and district and allows Kinsale showcase its heritage and gourmet reputation.
For the fifth year, Kukri is the official event wear for the Kinsale 7s. Other partners include Pride Passion Party; Hayes Caravan Services, Kinsale Town Council and EMC. Charity partners this year include Kinsale RNLI and the Wooden Spoon Children’s Charity of Rugby.
In addition, Graepel Perforators & Weavers are sponsoring locally crafted trophies made from their latest product ‘Picture Perf’ that allows Graepel to punch any image into metal sheets. This is a very welcome sponsorship to help celebrate the 25th Anniversary.
The Heineken Kinsale 7s had over 100,000 facebook friends during the weekend last year, demonstrating the vast network the event connects
For further information and updates, visit www.kinsale7s.com or follow us on facebook and twitter.
Pic: John Allen Photography