Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 12th March 2022
On Tuesday 8th March Campbell College, Belfast played Ballymena Academy in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield at the Queen’s University RFC pitch at Upper Malone.
The Campbell College, Belfast team, on the back of a “Man of the Match” performance from Henry Ralston, defeated the very spirited Ballymena Academy team by 23-5.
Following the game Sir Nigel Hamilton, a former President of the Ulster Branch, IRFU, and representing the Ulster Branch of the IRFU, along with Caroline Van der Feltz, HR Director, Danske Bank, presented the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield finalist medals to players from both teams and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield to Ethan Kennedy, captain of the victorious Campbell College, Belfast team.
Sir Nigel Hamilton congratulated the players from both teams for reaching the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield and playing so well in the final. He thanked the referee, Oisin Quinn, and his team of Billy Halliday, Vincent Hughes and Richard Kerr, for controlling the game so efficiently, Queen’s University, for hosting the game on such a wonderful playing surface and the Danske Bank for their interest in, and continuing sponsorship off, all the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ competitions.
On Thursday 10th March Royal School, Dungannon played Royal School, Armagh in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield at the Queen’s RFC pitch at Upper Malone.
Having built up a 7-0 lead by the break the Royal School, Armagh team went on to win the game by 19-10.
Played in glorious conditions, and in front of an enthusiastic crowd of supporters, the Royal School, Armagh team scored three tries in the game through “Man of the Match” Finn Fehnert, Matthew Nicholl and Sam Anderson. Matthew Monaghan was successful with two of his conversion kicks.
The Royal School, Dungannon team contributed greatly to the high standard of rugby on display. They got some reward for their endeavours with two unconverted tries, in the second half, from Ethan Carberry and Alfie Lewis.
Following the game Paul Magee, a member of the Ulster Branch, IRFU, presented the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield finalist medals to players from both teams and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield to Sam Anderson, captain of the victorious Royal School, Armagh team.
Paul then congratulated the players from both teams for reaching the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield and playing so well in the final. He thanked the referee, Stuart Gaffikin, and his experienced team of John Adams, Billy Halliday and Richard Kerr for controlling the game so efficiently, Queen’s University, for hosting the game on such a wonderful playing surface and the Danske Bank for their interest in, and continuing sponsorship off, all the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ competitions. Paul then specially addressed those players who will finish school this year and asked them to stay involved with the game of rugby by affiliating with club rugby and take their undoubted abilities into the club game in the seasons ahead.
On Saturday 12th March the JC Picken Playing Fields 1stxv pitch at Roughfort was the venue for the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate competition. The Rainey Endowed School Medallion team played Sullivan Upper School Medallion in a game the Sullivan Upper School team won by 22-12.
Following the game Graffin Parke, a former President of the Ulster Branch, IRFU, and representing the Ulster Branch of the IRFU, presented the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate finalist medals to players from both teams and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate to Jake Scott, the captain of the victorious Sullivan Upper School team.
Graffin congratulated the players from both teams for reaching the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate and playing so well in the final. He thanked the referee, Andrew McConville, for controlling the game so efficiently. Graffin thanked the Principal of Belfast Royal Academy, Mrs Hilary Woods, as well as Chris McCarey and David Creighton from the Physical Education Department and Anton and his ground staff, for hosting the game on such a wonderful playing surface and the Danske Bank for their interest in, and continuing sponsorship off, all the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ competitions.
Methodist College, Belfast and Campbell College, Belfast played a recent senior “Development xv” game from which the Methodist College team emerged as 22-12 winners.
The Methodist College, Belfast team scored four tries through Jacob Lewis, who touched down twice, Karl Andreasson and Jamie Thompson. Jude Campbell added the conversion to one of the tries.
The Campbell College, Belfast team scored two tries through Edmond Pannell and Charlie with Rian Davies adding one successful conversion.
The annual O’Kane U14 Tournament took place at Ballymena Academy on Saturday 12th March when eight teams participated in this event.
Ballymena Academy, Cambridge House Grammar School, Coleraine Grammar School, Dalriada School, Dromore High School, Foyle and Londonderry College, Larne Grammar School and Royal School, Dungannon U14 teams all took part in this very enjoyable Tournament.
Cambridge House Grammar School and Foyle and Londonderry College shared the O’Kane U14 Plate when they played out a 0-0 draw in the final.
The O’Kane U14 Cup final saw Ballymena Academy defeat Larne Grammar School by 14-0 with Charlie Hargy and Harry Lamont scoring the tries and Seth Park adding both conversions.
Antrim Grammar School played Belfast High School in an U17 Development game that the Antrim Grammar School team won by 19-15.
The Antrim Grammar School tries came from prop forwards, Eoin Byrne and Ben Mawhinney and flanker, Caleb McClean. Alexander Lynn was successful with two of his conversion kicks.
Patrick Dunlop, Ethan Ashe, Matthew Adair, Kyle Taylor and Jack McNeilly were among other Antrim Grammar School players who impressed with their performances.
The Belfast High School points came through tries from Leo O’ Loingsigh, Rory Dunlop and Joey Ashby.
Friends’ School, Lisburn played Lurgan College in a Festival of End of Season Rugby when the Friends’ School Year 14 Leavers team played out a 15-15 draw against the Lurgan College Year 14 Leavers team.
Alex Murphy scored two tries for the Friends’ School team with Ben McBurney scoring a third.
Angus Cunningham was among the try scorers for the Lurgan College team.
This game was superbly refereed by Norman Gamble, a member of the USRFR, now in his 38th year of officiating.
The schools then played two U17 Development games with the Friends’ School team winning the “A” Game by 20-0 and the “B” game by 26-7.
Angus Crawford, Finlay Crawford, Patrick Moore, Ruari Doyle, Alexander McKinley and Conor Harvey were among the Friends’ School, Lisburn players who played well in these games.
