This week, Schools’ Committee PRO Barney McGonigle begins his round-up with the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup and Shield finals, alongside tournament success for Ballymena Academy, the latest friendly fixtures and the opening cup draws.
Ballymena Academy took part in the recent St Joseph’s College, Ipswich Rugby Tournament.
In the Group Stage games, Ballymena Academy defeated Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe by 12-5, defeated Seaford School by 14-8 and lost to Wellington College by 28-0.
Cheltenham College defeated Ballymena Academy by 13-7 in the Cup 1/4 Final before Ballymena Academy won by 21-7 against Berkhamsted College in the Semi-Final of the Plate.
In the Final of the Plate competition, the Ballymena Academy team defeated Brighton College by 3-0.
The standout players for the Ballymena Academy team throughout the course of the St Joseph’s College Tournament included team captain, Jamie Gregg, Billy Wylie, Jeremiah Gallagher and George Gamble.
Billy Wylie and George Gamble were both listed in the top 23 players of the tournament.
On Wednesday 21st October, Omagh Academy played Larne Grammar School in the last of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Group Stage 2nd series of games.
Played in front of a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters at the Campsie Playing Fields, the Omagh Academy team won the game by 33-21.
Lewis McIvor, Jacob Crosbie, David Liggett, Ryan Mitchell and Ryan Elliott scored the Omagh Academy tries to which Sami Braden added four successful conversion kicks.
Rory Meldrum, Ben Ledlie and Benjamin Sterling touched down for the Larne Grammar School tries with Zak Duncan adding the extras to all three tries.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup & Shield Finals
Meanwhile, at Deramore Park, home of Belfast Harlequins RFC, the first of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Finals took place when Ballyclare High School played Belfast Royal Academy in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Shield and Methodist College, Belfast played Campbell College, Belfast in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup.
First up was the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Shield Final which saw the Ballyclare High School team defeat the Belfast Royal Academy team by 10-0.
Following the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Shield Final, Iain Henderson, Ulster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions star, was on hand to make the post-match presentations.
Iain congratulated both teams, as well as their coaches, on reaching the final, congratulated Ballyclare High School on winning the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Shield, thanked the referee, Alan O’Neill, and his panel of Adam Cavan and Lucas Patterson, for the way in which they controlled the game, thanked the parents/guardians for the support given to the players, thanked Belfast Harlequins RFC for the provision of facilities and hosting the game, thanked the Danske Bank for their continuing sponsorship of the Ulster Schools’ Rugby competitions, now in its 22nd season, and wished everyone success in the season ahead.
Iain then presented the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Shield and Medals to Conor McKee, captain of the victorious Ballyclare High School team.
Next up was the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup Final which saw the Methodist College, Belfast team win the game by 26-24 with almost the last play of the game.
Following the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup Final, Greg Irwin, President of the Ulster Branch, IRFU, was on hand to make the post-match presentations along with Caroline van der Feltz, HR Manager, Danske Bank.
Caroline presented the Player of the Match Award to Oliver Kennedy, the Methodist College, Belfast scrum-half.
Greg Irwin then went on to congratulate both teams, as well as their coaches, on reaching the final, congratulated Methodist College, Belfast on winning the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup, thanked the referee, Dan Carson, and his panel of Craig Gibson and Lucas Patterson, for the way in which they controlled the game, thanked the parents/guardians for the support given to the players, thanked Belfast Harlequins RFC for the provision of facilities and hosting the game, thanked the Danske Bank for their continuing sponsorship of the Ulster Schools’ Rugby competitions, now in its 22nd season, and wished everyone success in the season ahead.
Greg then presented the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup and Medals to Reuben Vericat, captain of the victorious Methodist College, Belfast team.
As well as the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup and Shield finals taking place on Wednesday 21st October, three 1stxv friendly games took place.
Bangor Grammar School played Regent House School in a very closely contested Tower Cup game. The Regent House School team won by 7-5.
Rory Mooney touched down for an unconverted try for the Bangor Grammar School team.
The Regent House School points came from an Ollie Patton try which was converted by Zach McMinn.
Foyle and Londonderry College entertained Dalriada School in a game the Dalriada School team won by 15-7.
Niall Kelly scored the Foyle College try which he also converted.
The Dalriada School team scored three unconverted tries through Matthew Nicholl, Archie Graham and Chris Finney.
Friends’ School, Lisburn hosted Banbridge Academy in a game the Banbridge Academy team won by 29-12 on the back of a strong performance from James Kerr.
The Friends’ School, Lisburn points came through tries from Harry Mehaffey and Zac Wilson with John Hall adding one successful conversion kick.
Patrick McElroy, Rylee Edwards, with a hat-trick, and James Kerr scored the Banbridge Academy tries with Daniel Byrne adding two successful conversion kicks.
Despite the onset of a well-deserved half-term break, as well as the impact of Storm Boelo, a few friendly games took place on Saturday 24th October.
Ballyclare High School hosted Bishop’s Stortford College in a game which saw the Ballyclare High School team continue their recent run of good form with a comprehensive 60-7 victory.
Daniel Montgomery, with two, Adam Johnston, with a hat-trick, William Shields, with two, Harry Montgomery, Jack Morrow and Luke Kennedy were the Ballyclare High School try scorers.
Jack Smyth was successful with three of his conversion kicks with Conor McKee adding the extras to two of the Ballyclare High School tries.
Luke Barrett ran in for the Bishop’s Stortford College try to which he added the conversion.
Royal Belfast Academical Institution travelled to Dublin 4 where they played Blackrock College in a game the Blackrock College, Dublin team won by 17-10.
Lucas Hill and Rhys Keogh touched down for the Blackrock College, Dublin tries with Stephen Moloney adding two successful conversions as well as one penalty goal.
Ben McCarten and Jack Coulter ran in for the Royal Belfast Academical Institution tries, both of which were unconverted.
Wallace High School played Enniskillen Royal Grammar School in a game the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team won by 20-10.
Zach Abraham and Adam Martin each touched down for an unconverted try for the Wallace High School team.
Alfie Lucy, Torin Sholes and Ben Wallace scored the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School tries to which Harry Breen added one successful conversion kick as well as one penalty goal.
The draws for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield and Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup Round 1 games took place during the week.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield Round 1 draw
Danske Bank Medallion Shield Round 1 included the following 12 teams:
Drumglass High School, Wellington College, Craigavon Senior High, Belfast High, Carrick Grammar, Bangor Academy, Antrim Grammar, Dromore High, Lurgan College, Rathfriland High, Portadown College and Larne Grammar.
1/ Rathfriland High School v Wellington College, Belfast
2/ Drumglass High School v Lurgan College
3/ Belfast High School v Portadown College
4/ Larne Grammar School v Craigavon Senior High School
Byes:
Carrickfergus Grammar School, Bangor Academy, Antrim Grammar School and Dromore High School.
The 4 winners from Round 1 plus the 4 byes will join the following 8 teams in the Round 2 Draw.
Grosvenor Grammar School, Down High School, Dalriada School, Cambridge House Grammar School, Omagh Academy, Bangor Grammar School, Royal School Dungannon and Limavady Grammar School.
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield Round 1 games must be completed on/before Saturday 14th November.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup Round 1 draw with ties to be played on/before Saturday 21st November.
1/ Enniskillen Royal Grammar School 3rdxv v Royal Belfast Academical Institution 5thxv
2/ Methodist College, Belfast 4thxv v Royal Belfast Academical Institution 6thxv
3/ Ballyclare High School 3rdxv v Bye
4/ Banbridge Academy 3rdxv v Methodist College, Belfast 5thxv
5/ Campbell College, Belfast 4thxv v Royal Belfast Academical Institution 4thxv
6/ Omagh Academy 3rdxv v St Columb’s College
7/ Down High School 3rdxv v Friends’ School, Lisburn 3rdxv
8/ Ballymena Academy 4thxv v Coleraine Grammar School 3rdxv