In attendance were five of the winning captains from last year’s competitions, as well as the current captains from the respective schools.
The defending Danske Bank Boys' Ulster Schools’ Cup champions, Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI), were represented by 1st XV captain, Blake McClean and head coach, Jamie Kirk.
RBAI edged a thrilling final against Ballymena Academy to secure back-to-back victories in March, when they clinched the title with a 21-14 win. Last year’s captain, Fraser Cunningham, is now training with the IRFU’s National Talent Squad and is on the team sheet for Ulster Rugby’s Development Game against Combined Scottish Academies this Friday in Glasgow.
The Danske Bank Girls' Ulster Schools’ Cup was retained for the second year by Enniskillen Royal Grammar School. In last season’s final, they showed a dominant display of rugby as they defeated Assumption Grammar School 48-5. In attendance yesterday was past captain Olivia Black, current captain Leah Irwin and coach, Dee Colville.
RBAI also retained the Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Medallion Shield for a second year running, and last year’s captain, Cian McClean, was in attendance. In last season’s final, RBAI put in an impressive performance against Sullivan Upper School at Kingspan Stadium, winning 36-10.
Campbell College were last year’s winners of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools' U16 Cup, defeating previous winners Wallace High School in a brilliantly contested final at Pirrie Park, 45-26. David Nelson represented the school at the launch. This year’s final will be played at Kingspan Stadium as an exciting addition to the stadium’s fixtures, in the centenary year of Ulster Rugby’s home ground.
Last season’s Danske Bank U16 Ulster High Schools’ Trophy was won by Bangor Academy, defeating Dunclug College 30-17 in an impressive win. Representing Bangor Academy at yesterday’s event was past captain, Steven Boyd, coach David Coey, and current captain, Jamie Armstrong.
The Ulster Schools’ Committee was represented by Chairman, Richard Clingan, and PRO Barney McGonigle, with Ian Russell and Clare Megarry in attendance on behalf of Danske Bank.
Ulster Schools’ Committee Chairman, Richard Clingan, said:
“We have had an exciting summer with the Ulster Under 18 Schools team, sponsored by Danske Bank, winning all four of their Interprovincial matches to claim the Kevin Kelleher Cup for the first time since 2017.
“The schools’ competition season gets underway in the next couple of weeks with the U16 Schools’ Cup, which has an increased entry this year.
“It will be great to see some of our most talented schools’ players in action over the months ahead, and we thank Danske Bank for its support for our schools’ competitions over the years.
“This is a notable year for schools’ rugby, with Danske Bank celebrating its 20th year supporting schools’ rugby competitions whilst two of our participating schools, Enniskillen Royal Grammar and Friends’ School Lisburn celebrate 150 years of rugby and 250th anniversary respectively.”
Head of Homebuying at Danske Bank, Ian Russell, added:
“In 2024, Danske Bank is marking 200 years of helping support Northern Ireland people, business and society. Not only that, but this new season of schools’ rugby marks our 20th year of partnership with Ulster Rugby.
“Over that time, we’ve seen the opportunities to play great quality rugby increase, and we’re so proud to not only support the Boys Schools’ Cup but also now the Girls Schools’ Cup, the High Schools’ Cup, the U16 Cup, the Medallion Shield, and a whole host of other competitions – giving more young people in schools across the country the chance to get together, meet new friends, learn new skills and foster a real love for rugby.
“We’re passionate about helping our local communities and young people thrive, and supporting youth sports across Northern Ireland is one way we do that – through our partnerships with Ulster Schools’ Rugby, Ulster Schools GAA and the NI Schools’ Football Association. We’re looking forward to an exciting season of rugby ahead, and want to wish everyone taking part the very best of luck.”
Schools' Rugby is back! 🏆
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) September 11, 2024
The 2024/25 @DanskeBank_UK Ulster Schools' Cup launched yesterday, marking 20 years of partnership with Ulster Rugby.
It's set to be another big season 🙌 pic.twitter.com/i4W4NcgjSs
2024/25 Competitions Schedule
Danske Bank Boys' Ulster Schools’ Cup
Group Stages Round 1: Saturday 26 October 2024
Group Stages Round 2: Saturday 9 November 2024
Group Stages Round 3: Saturday 7 December
Round of Sixteen: Saturday 25 January 2025
Quarter-finals: Saturday 8 February 2025
Semi-finals: Details to be confirmed
Final: Details to be confirmed
To see the groups for the first rounds of the Danske Bank Schools’ Cup that were drawn earlier this year, click here.
Danske Bank Boys' Ulster Schools' Subsidiary Shield
Quarter Finals: Saturday 8 February 2025
Semi Finals: Saturday 22 February 2025
Final: Details to be confirmed
Danske Bank Boys' Ulster Schools’ Bowl
Quarter Finals: Saturday 8 February 2025
Semi Finals: Saturday 22 February 2025
Final: Details to be confirmed
Danske Bank Boys' Ulster Schools’ Trophy
Quarter Finals: Saturday 8 February 2025
Semi Finals: Saturday 22 February 2025
Final: Details to be confirmed
Danske Bank Girls' Ulster Schools’ Cup
Round 1: 18/19/25/26 September 2024
Round 2: 9/10/16/17 October 2024
Round 3: 4/5/11/12 December 2024
Round 4: 29/30 January & 5/6 February 2025
Finals Day Qualifiers: 26 February
Final: Details to be confirmed
Danske Bank Ulster Schools' U16 Cup
Group Stage Week 1: Saturday 28 September 2024
Group Stage Week 2: Saturday 5 October 2024
Group Stage Week 3: Saturday 12 October 2024 – Cup & Shield
Final: Wednesday 23 October 2024
Danske Bank Ulster High Schools’ U16 Trophy
Quarter Finals: 17 February 2025
Semi Finals: Wednesday 5 March 2025
Final: Details to be confirmed
Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Medallion Shield
Round 1: Saturday 16 November 2024
Round 2: Saturday 30 November 2024
Round 3: Saturday 14 December 2024
Quarter Finals: Saturday 1 February 2025
Semi Finals: Saturday 22 February 2025 (Neutral Venues)
Final: Details to be confirmed
Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Medallion Plate
Quarter Finals: Saturday 1 February 2025
Semi Finals: Saturday 24 February 2025
Final: Details to be confirmed
Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Medallion Bowl
Quarter Finals: Saturday 18 January 2025
Semi Finals: Saturday 1 February 2025
Final: Details to be confirmed
Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Medallion Trophy
Round 1: Saturday 14 December 2024
Quarter Finals: Saturday 18 January 2025
Semi Finals: Saturday 1 February 2025
Final: Details to be confirmed
Danske Bank Ulster Schools' 2 XV Cup
Round 1: Saturday 16 November 2024
Round 2: Saturday 30 November 2024
Round 3: Saturday 14 December 2024
Quarter Finals: Saturday 18 January 2025
Semi Finals: Saturday 1 February 2025
Final: Details to be confirmed
Danske Bank Ulster Schools' 3 XV Cup
Round 1: Saturday 23 November 2024
Round 2: Saturday 7 December 2024
Round 3: Saturday 11 January 2025 (with option to play before Christmas)
Quarter Finals: Saturday 25 January 2025
Semi Finals: Saturday 8 February 2025
Final: Details to be confirmed
Please note, the dates for each competition round are on a Saturday, however schools have the option to play ‘on or before’ each round’s date.