The 2018/19 Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup will kick-off this Saturday 15th December, with four teams in action in the opening round of the famous competition.
Antrim Grammar will have home advantage for their tie against Carrickfergus Grammar, while Strabane Academy will host Wellington College in the other Round 1 fixture.
The competition will then resume after Christmas when a further twelve teams join the fray.
Last season, John McKee led Campbell College to a 19-13 final victory over The Royal School Armagh, securing a first title since 2011 for Campbell, and their 24th outright competition success.
First won by The Royal School Armagh back in 1876, the Schools’ Cup has been competed for every year since, with 17 different schools having collected the famous cup, while Methodist College sit on top of the roll of honour with 35 outright titles.
Antrim Grammar v Carrickfergus Grammar
Saturday 15th December, kick-off 10.30am
This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 1 tie should whet the appetites of all the players involved.
The Antrim Grammar School team has a new coaching structure involved with the players. Head Coach, Jamie Orr, is assisted by Michael Duncan, who also looks after the S&C preparation of the Antrim Grammar School squad. The team is captained by the talented Callum Hull-a player who leads his team by example. Callum has been involved with Ulster Age Grade squads in recent seasons and his experience will be vital. He is currently the leading point’s scorer for his team with Callum McComb the leading try scorer. The Antrim Grammar School squad is going through a period of rebuilding. They have essentially a very young squad of players involved with players such as Ross Mackay stepping up with good effect from Medallion rugby.
The team has scored a lot of points in the course of the season with players such as Callum Hull, Callum McComb and Matthew Wright impressing. However, the coaching staff, as well as the players, realise that defensive frailties need to be addressed as they reach the business end of the season. Adam Carville, a young emerging player, is another player who has gained experience with an Ulster Rugby RDS squad.
In the Antrim Grammar School pack, Thomas Allen is Head Boy of the school while Stewart Smyth takes a great interest in rap music. The team took time off from their training and playing schedule to attend the recent Ireland v New Zealand game at the Aviva Stadium. This turned out to be a great team bonding exercise and it is hoped the squad morale gained by that historic day out can be taken into their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign.
The Carrickfergus Grammar School team, coached by Neal Kennedy, who continues to receive great assistance from the experienced Stephen Martin, as well as the evergreen Michael Dickson, has experienced a topsy turvy season thus far in terms of results.
The team is captained jointly by Daniel Curley, also Head Boy of the school, and Adam Gardner. Adam is joined by his younger brother, Scott, on the team. They have won a number of games this season and lost others by the narrowest of margins. The squad is made up of a combination of youth and experience. Year 12 players such as Scott Gardner, Liam Kaprigiannis Green, Dylan Wright and Matthew Alexander have made a smooth transition from Medallion rugby. They are joined by seasoned Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Cup campaigners such as Joshua Irvine, Ewan Milburn, Phil Stewart, Daniel Curley, Adam Gardner, Josh Clements and Luke Jefferson who will be keen to have an extended run in the competition this season.
Daniel Curley is the top scorer this season due his try scoring ability and accuracy with his trusty boot. Tries have been shared around the squad with props, Joshua Irvine and Liam Kaprigiannis Green, touching down on a number of occasions. Centre, Jakob McComb, and winger, Josh Clements, have also caused problems for opposition defences this season. The Carrickfergus Grammar School team aims to play fast attacking rugby at all times and, as results have shown, they tend to score plenty of tries. They will be hoping to score even more in the course of their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign.
Strabane Academy v Wellington College
Saturday 15th December, kick-off 11.00am
The Strabane Academy team might have gained a psychological edge for this game having already played, and defeated, the Wellington College team earlier in the season. However, team coach, Niall McDonnell, who continues to receive great support from Steve Sargent, Adam Bratton and Stephen Smyth, will be keen to tell his young squad that the game that really matters is their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 1 game.
Similarly, the Strabane Academy team captain, Jordan Mealiff, will be keen to play down that early season win. He will ask his players to focus fully on the job in hand on Saturday. Playing at No 8, Jordan is a very committed player who knows how to lead from the front. He is currently the top point’s scorer for the team this season. Quite a few of the best performances for this Strabane Academy team have been on the road in the course of the current season.
The coaching staff, as well as the players, will wish to take full advantage of playing this intriguing cup tie at home. Other key players in the squad include Jack Sayers, Jamie Brown, Harry McCrossan, Reuben Orr, Jack Kee and David Shaw. Ralph Mealiff, brother of team captain, Jordan, is another Strabane Academy player the Wellington College defence will need to monitor closely. James Preston and Reuben Orr are not only fine rugby players but also well known in musical circles in the Strabane area. They will be hoping to lead a celebratory sing song at the end of this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 1 game.
The Wellington College, Belfast 1st XV is coached by Peter Chambers, himself a former winner of an Ulster Schools’ Cup medal. Peter receives great support from the experienced Latimer Adair, a man who fondly remembers participating in a number of Ulster Schools’ Cup campaigns while a player at Royal School, Armagh a number of seasons ago! Courtney Hill looks after the S&C aspects of team preparation and the Wellington College team will enter into their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign safe in the knowledge they have been well-prepared both technically and physically for the challenges which lie ahead.
Team captain, Marcus Smyth, is entering his third Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign and this exciting player is hoping to lead his team through a run of games in the 2018/19 competition. Marcus is the leading points scorer for his team this season. Not only has he touched down for quite a few tries but he has an excellent kicking game as well. Dylan O’Brien has also touched for tries on a regular basis in the course of the current season and both these players will be hoping to add to their impressive tallies on Saturday.
Jake Pollock, Jake Hamilton, Adam Savage, Justin Bingham, Tom Stanfield and Chris Campbell are other key players in the Wellington College squad. Jake Hamilton has an excellent kicking record off the tee this season. He will be only too pleased to capitalise on any indiscretions by the Strabane Academy team.
One of the highlights for the Wellington College team this season was their mid-term tour to Holland where they won two games against two Dutch Club U18 teams. The Wellington College, Belfast squad will be keen to take the positives out of that tour and replicate them in the course of their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 1 game.
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2018/19 DANSKE BANK ULSTER SCHOOLS’ CUP
ROUND 1
Antrim Grammar v Carrickfergus Grammar
Strabane Academy v Wellington College
Games to be played on Saturday 15th December 2018.
ROUND 2
Limavady Grammar v Larne Grammar
Grosvenor Grammar v Friends’ School
Cambridge House v Banbridge Academy
Lurgan College v Foyle College
Dromore HS v Regent House
Antrim Grammar / Carrickfergus Grammar v Down HS
Belfast HS v Strabane Academy / Wellington College
Games to be played on Saturday 12th January 2019.
ROUND 3
The seven winners from Round 2 will be joined in the Round 3 draw by: Ballyclare High School, Bangor Grammar School, Belfast Royal Academy, Coleraine Grammar School, Dalriada School, Omagh Academy, Portadown College, Rainey Endowed School and Royal School Dungannon.
Games to be played on Saturday 26th January 2019.
ROUND 4
The eight winners from Round 3 will be joined in the Round 4 draw by: Ballymena Academy, Campbell College, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, Methodist College Belfast, Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Royal School Armagh, Sullivan Upper School and Wallace High School.
Games to be played on Saturday 9th February 2019.
QUARTER-FINALS
Games to be played on Saturday 23rd February 2019.
SEMI-FINALS
Tuesday 5th March 2019, 2.30pm at Kingspan Stadium.
Wednesday 6th March 2019, 2.30pm at Kingspan Stadium.
FINAL
Monday 18th March 2019, 3.00pm at Kingspan Stadium.
This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 1 tie should whet the appetites of all the players involved.
The Antrim Grammar School team has a new coaching structure involved with the players. Head Coach, Jamie Orr, is assisted by Michael Duncan, who also looks after the S&C preparation of the Antrim Grammar School squad. The team is captained by the talented Callum Hull-a player who leads his team by example. Callum has been involved with Ulster Age Grade squads in recent seasons and his experience will be vital. He is currently the leading point’s scorer for his team with Callum McComb the leading try scorer. The Antrim Grammar School squad is going through a period of rebuilding. They have essentially a very young squad of players involved with players such as Ross Mackay stepping up with good effect from Medallion rugby.
The team has scored a lot of points in the course of the season with players such as Callum Hull, Callum McComb and Matthew Wright impressing. However, the coaching staff, as well as the players, realise that defensive frailties need to be addressed as they reach the business end of the season. Adam Carville, a young emerging player, is another player who has gained experience with an Ulster Rugby RDS squad.
In the Antrim Grammar School pack, Thomas Allen is Head Boy of the school while Stewart Smyth takes a great interest in rap music. The team took time off from their training and playing schedule to attend the recent Ireland v New Zealand game at the Aviva Stadium. This turned out to be a great team bonding exercise and it is hoped the squad morale gained by that historic day out can be taken into their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign.
The Carrickfergus Grammar School team, coached by Neal Kennedy, who continues to receive great assistance from the experienced Stephen Martin, as well as the evergreen Michael Dickson, has experienced a topsy turvy season thus far in terms of results.
The team is captained jointly by Daniel Curley, also Head Boy of the school, and Adam Gardner. Adam is joined by his younger brother, Scott, on the team. They have won a number of games this season and lost others by the narrowest of margins. The squad is made up of a combination of youth and experience. Year 12 players such as Scott Gardner, Liam Kaprigiannis Green, Dylan Wright and Matthew Alexander have made a smooth transition from Medallion rugby. They are joined by seasoned Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Cup campaigners such as Joshua Irvine, Ewan Milburn, Phil Stewart, Daniel Curley, Adam Gardner, Josh Clements and Luke Jefferson who will be keen to have an extended run in the competition this season.
Daniel Curley is the top scorer this season due his try scoring ability and accuracy with his trusty boot. Tries have been shared around the squad with props, Joshua Irvine and Liam Kaprigiannis Green, touching down on a number of occasions. Centre, Jakob McComb, and winger, Josh Clements, have also caused problems for opposition defences this season. The Carrickfergus Grammar School team aims to play fast attacking rugby at all times and, as results have shown, they tend to score plenty of tries. They will be hoping to score even more in the course of their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign.
Strabane Academy v Wellington College
Saturday 15th December, kick-off 11.00am
The Strabane Academy team might have gained a psychological edge for this game having already played, and defeated, the Wellington College team earlier in the season. However, team coach, Niall McDonnell, who continues to receive great support from Steve Sargent, Adam Bratton and Stephen Smyth, will be keen to tell his young squad that the game that really matters is their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 1 game.
Similarly, the Strabane Academy team captain, Jordan Mealiff, will be keen to play down that early season win. He will ask his players to focus fully on the job in hand on Saturday. Playing at No 8, Jordan is a very committed player who knows how to lead from the front. He is currently the top point’s scorer for the team this season. Quite a few of the best performances for this Strabane Academy team have been on the road in the course of the current season.
The coaching staff, as well as the players, will wish to take full advantage of playing this intriguing cup tie at home. Other key players in the squad include Jack Sayers, Jamie Brown, Harry McCrossan, Reuben Orr, Jack Kee and David Shaw. Ralph Mealiff, brother of team captain, Jordan, is another Strabane Academy player the Wellington College defence will need to monitor closely. James Preston and Reuben Orr are not only fine rugby players but also well known in musical circles in the Strabane area. They will be hoping to lead a celebratory sing song at the end of this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 1 game.
The Wellington College, Belfast 1st XV is coached by Peter Chambers, himself a former winner of an Ulster Schools’ Cup medal. Peter receives great support from the experienced Latimer Adair, a man who fondly remembers participating in a number of Ulster Schools’ Cup campaigns while a player at Royal School, Armagh a number of seasons ago! Courtney Hill looks after the S&C aspects of team preparation and the Wellington College team will enter into their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign safe in the knowledge they have been well-prepared both technically and physically for the challenges which lie ahead.
Team captain, Marcus Smyth, is entering his third Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign and this exciting player is hoping to lead his team through a run of games in the 2018/19 competition. Marcus is the leading points scorer for his team this season. Not only has he touched down for quite a few tries but he has an excellent kicking game as well. Dylan O’Brien has also touched for tries on a regular basis in the course of the current season and both these players will be hoping to add to their impressive tallies on Saturday.
Jake Pollock, Jake Hamilton, Adam Savage, Justin Bingham, Tom Stanfield and Chris Campbell are other key players in the Wellington College squad. Jake Hamilton has an excellent kicking record off the tee this season. He will be only too pleased to capitalise on any indiscretions by the Strabane Academy team.
One of the highlights for the Wellington College team this season was their mid-term tour to Holland where they won two games against two Dutch Club U18 teams. The Wellington College, Belfast squad will be keen to take the positives out of that tour and replicate them in the course of their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 1 game.
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2018/19 DANSKE BANK ULSTER SCHOOLS’ CUP
ROUND 1
Antrim Grammar v Carrickfergus Grammar
Strabane Academy v Wellington College
Games to be played on Saturday 15th December 2018.
ROUND 2
Limavady Grammar v Larne Grammar
Grosvenor Grammar v Friends’ School
Cambridge House v Banbridge Academy
Lurgan College v Foyle College
Dromore HS v Regent House
Antrim Grammar / Carrickfergus Grammar v Down HS
Belfast HS v Strabane Academy / Wellington College
Games to be played on Saturday 12th January 2019.
ROUND 3
The seven winners from Round 2 will be joined in the Round 3 draw by: Ballyclare High School, Bangor Grammar School, Belfast Royal Academy, Coleraine Grammar School, Dalriada School, Omagh Academy, Portadown College, Rainey Endowed School and Royal School Dungannon.
Games to be played on Saturday 26th January 2019.
ROUND 4
The eight winners from Round 3 will be joined in the Round 4 draw by: Ballymena Academy, Campbell College, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, Methodist College Belfast, Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Royal School Armagh, Sullivan Upper School and Wallace High School.
Games to be played on Saturday 9th February 2019.
QUARTER-FINALS
Games to be played on Saturday 23rd February 2019.
SEMI-FINALS
Tuesday 5th March 2019, 2.30pm at Kingspan Stadium.
Wednesday 6th March 2019, 2.30pm at Kingspan Stadium.
FINAL
Monday 18th March 2019, 3.00pm at Kingspan Stadium.