This competition features teams from across the province competing in the Club Academy structure, designed to provide a ‘peer experience’ for young players. The squads are largely made up of players 21 and under, and teams have been competing within a year-round programme of merit table and Cup fixtures.
Portadown RFC VS. City of Armagh RFC
The first of the Semi finals see’s City of Armagh travel to Chambers Park to take on Portadown. Armagh, in their first season of Club Academy rugby, will be hoping to announce themselves in style at this level. In order to do so however, they will need to overcome perennial Club Academy participants Portadown, who are battle-hardened by a tough Cup run to date. In order to reach the semi-final, Portadown have already had to overcome tough battles away to Omagh RFC and then at home to Clogher Valley. Both teams are hoping to make their first Club Academy Cup final appearance at Kingspan stadium on the 15th March.
All signs point towards a tightly contested game this evening.
Ballynahinch RFC vs Ballymena RFC
Ballymena travel to Ballymacarn Park on Wednesday night on the back of success against Ballyclare in the quarter-final. There, they will meet Cup holders Ballynahinch RFC for the right to contest the final at Kingspan Stadium. Ballymena, competing in their second season of Club Academy rugby, have proven to be a formidable proposition for all comers this season, having also seen off Instonians and Queens University in previous encounters this year. No better team then, to take on Ballynahinch who hope to retain the Club Academy cup this year after their first success in the competition in 2024. Having gotten the better of Ards in their own quarter final, they will be in confident mood for what promises to be an epic semi-final encounter.