Ravenhill Stadium - History

History

The grounds were opened in the 1923/24 season. The ground features an ornate arch at the entrance that was erected as a war memorial for those players killed in World War I and World War II.

Ravenhill has hosted 18 international matches, including a pool game in both the 1991 and 1999 Rugby World Cups. The most recent Ireland international to be played at the stadium was on 24 August 2007 against Italy as a World Cup warm-up match. Before that Scotland was the last visitor in the 1954 Five Nations Championship. Lansdowne Road, now known as the Aviva Stadium is the main venue for Ireland's international games. Ravenhill also hosted the 2007 Under 19 Rugby World Championship Final in which New Zealand defeated South Africa and other pool and semi-final matches.

Ravenhill has also hosted notable Ulster matches in the Heineken Cup. Ulster beat Toulouse 15-13 at Ravenhill in the quarterfinals of the 1998-99 Heineken Cup. Ravenhill then hosted the 1998-99 Heineken Cup semifinal where Ulster defeated Stade Francais 33-27. The most memorable moment in that game was when out half David Humphreys ran from the Ulster 10 meter line to score a try.

Since 1924 the stadium has been the annual venue for the Ulster Schools Cup final which is traditionally contested on St Patrick's Day. The stadium is traditionally the venue for the Ulster Towns Cup played on Easter Monday.

On 14th August 2012 the stadium will host a friendly football match between Belfast side Crusaders and a Liverpool FC XI.

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