Despite the end of term on Friday 27th March, a number of school rugby events took place across Friday 27th and Saturday 28th March.
On Friday 27th March, sixteen schoolboy teams took part in the Ulster Schools’ Senior Sevens Tournament at Queen’s RFC.
Organised by David Chambers, Queen’s RFC Development Manager, the tournament saw approximately 240 players enjoy valuable game time, with the final played on the Dub Arena pitch.
The sixteen teams each played three group-stage matches before progressing into Cup and Shield competitions.
The Royal School, Armagh emerged as Shield winners, defeating Belfast Royal Academy in the final. Following the game, David Chambers presented the Ulster Schools’ Sevens Shield to Sam Gray, captain of the victorious Royal School, Armagh team.
Ballymena Academy and Methodist College, Belfast progressed through competitive semi-finals against Larne Grammar School and Enniskillen Royal Grammar School respectively to reach the Cup final.
In a closely contested and exciting decider, Methodist College, Belfast emerged as winners of the Ulster Schools’ Senior Sevens Cup. At the conclusion of a superbly organised day, Barney McGonigle, Ulster Schools’ PRO, presented the Cup to Louis Curran, captain of the winning Methodist College, Belfast team.
Meanwhile, at the Castlerock Road venue in Coleraine, Coleraine Grammar School hosted a twenty-team U12 Blitz Tournament, with teams competing for the Andrew Trimble Cup and the Trimbie Plate.
Eighteen teams from Ulster, along with two teams from Willow Park, Dublin, participated, with over 300 U12 players enjoying significant pitch time throughout the day.
Among the spectators was former Coleraine Grammar School, Ulster and Ireland player, and current ambassador for Coleraine Grammar School rugby, Andrew Trimble.
Following the group stages, the Plate semi-finals saw Enniskillen Royal Grammar School face Larne Grammar School, while Willow Park 2 played Belfast Royal Academy. Willow Park 2 and Enniskillen Royal Grammar School progressed to the Plate final, with Willow Park 2 emerging as winners.
In the Cup semi-finals, Ballymena Academy faced Willow Park 1, while Coleraine Grammar School took on Methodist College, Belfast. After a standout performance from Alfie White, Coleraine Grammar School progressed to the final, where they met Ballymena Academy.
At the end of a closely fought contest, Ballymena Academy captain George Casson stepped forward to receive the Andrew Trimble Cup from Andrew Trimble.
The event was organised by Kieran Campbell and his colleagues from Coleraine Grammar School and was thoroughly enjoyed by all involved.
On Saturday 28th March, the annual O’Kane Cup U14 Tournament, now in its 49th year, took place at Ballymena Academy.
Following the group stages, the quarter-finals saw Ballymena Academy face Ballyclare High School, Sullivan Upper School play Belfast Royal Academy, Coleraine Grammar School meet Rainey Endowed School, and Campbell College, Belfast take on Friends’ School, Lisburn.
The semi-final line-up saw Ballymena Academy face Sullivan Upper School, while Coleraine Grammar School played Campbell College, Belfast.
Ballymena Academy progressed to the final, where they met Coleraine Grammar School. At the end of an exciting tournament, Noah Taylor, captain of the Coleraine Grammar School U14 team, stepped forward to lift the O’Kane Cup.
The tournament was organised by John Nicholl and his colleagues from Ballymena Academy, with all participants thoroughly enjoying the occasion.
Also on Saturday, Royal School, Dungannon hosted Letterkenny RFC U18s on the WK Armstrong pitch, with the home side securing a 44–14 victory.
Tries for Royal School, Dungannon came from Harry Wylie (2), Isaac Neil (2), Matthew Smith, Adam Nixon and Matas Slajus, while Joel Clarke successfully converted five of the tries.
Letterkenny RFC U18s responded with tries from Jonathan Russell and Ben Ramsey, both converted by Jack Robinson.