Emerald Warriors & the Bingham Cup
b'The Mark Kendall Bingham Memorial Tournament, or Bingham Cup as it is more widely known, is the biennial world championships of gay and inclusive rugby. The tournament was first held in 2002 in memory of 9/11 gay rugby hero Mark Bingham, one of the passengers who fought back against hijackers on board United flight 93. While Mark and all on the flight tragically lost their lives when the plane crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, it is widely recognised that through the actions of those brave individuals on board, the plane did not continue on to its intended target. The Bingham Cup in 2004 in London marked the Emerald Warriors tournament debut. Since its foundation the previous summer, hosting an international tournament had been part of the ambition for the development of the club. To this end, on returning home from London the committee got to work. After hosting over 1,700 visitors, 800 players and played 80 matches in 3 days - The Bingham Cup 2008 was subsequently described by the chairman of International Gay Rugby in a letter to the Referees association of the Leinster Branch as "the Gold Standard against which all subsequent Bingham Cups would be judged\\u201d. The Emerald Warriors RFC was formed in August 2003 to provide an open, inclusive and safe environment to watch, play and enjoy rugby. The club offers the opportunity to play competitive rugby in one of our two teams in both Ireland and the international stage. Currently the club can boast a large membership of players, pavilion and honorary members. The club competes in the Leinster Metro League Division 11 and 8.'