Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Preview: 23 Oct 2019

Barney McGonigle previews the key tie for this week’s schools’ fixture… The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl group kicks off with a game featuring Antrim Grammar School and new comers to the competition, Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock.  An exciting game is expected when the teams meet at Antrim Grammar School on Wednesday 23^rd October. The Antrim Grammar School team is coached by Jamie Orr who is assisted by Rhys Cobain and Ben Worsley. When necessary, these coaches have the ability to call upon the playing experience of Paul Marshall, the former Ulster player, who is now teaching in Antrim Grammar School. Captained by their impressive centre, Adam Carville, the Antrim Grammar School team have had a mixed set of results in the course of the season so far. Good wins have been recorded in some of their games and there have been narrow defeats in others. They are operating with a small squad of seventeen players so player management has been key for the Antrim Grammar School coaches in the course of the season so far. Their starting hooker, Scott Mackay, took a bad injury to his knee in a recent game and will be out until after Christmas which is a large blow for the team. Several players are sporting new positions but the attitude of the players has been amazing so far and they have been a pleasure to coach according to Jamie Orr. The Antrim Grammar School team will give a great welcome to Our Lady and St Patrick’s College and all the players are looking forward to what will be undoubtedly an intriguing encounter. At the recent launch of the newly formatted Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, the team representing Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock was formally welcomed into the competition by Richard Clingan, Chairman of the Ulster Schools’ Rugby Committee. The team is managed by Frank Wilson and coached by Noel Brown and Chris Rogers, all of whom have contributed a lot in getting the team through to the required standard for playing in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup competitions. Oran O’Neill, a multi-talented sportsman, is Captain of the team and he relies heavily on the positive input given by his Vice-Captain, Louis Brown. Oran has represented Ulster in Basketball and Co Down in Gaelic Football. Their leading try scorer is Jamie McConville with Finn Rodgers leading the points scored chart. Finn has played Gaelic Football at Age Grade level for Co Down and had been involved with Ulster Rugby Age Grade Club squads. Ethan Bell and Daire Kelly have gained Ulster Age Grade Hurling titles and play club age grade rugby with Ards RFC. Both Malone and Cooke Rugby Clubs have attracted players from Our Lady and St Patrick’s College to play on their age grade teams. Thanks to the hard work put in by players and coaches the team from Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, is eagerly anticipating their first venture into the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup competition-the second oldest rugby competition in the world. This game is scheduled to be played at Antrim Grammar School on Wednesday 23^rd October at 2.30pm.