Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 4 Previews 4th February 2017
There are eight Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round games scheduled for Saturday 4th February.
Down High School will host the Methodist College, Belfast team in an intriguing encounter in Downpatrick. The Down High School coach Charlie Knox, who is assisted by John Gunson as well as Ulster Academy player, Aaron Cairns, will be keen to remind his Year 14 players of the great win they had against the same opposition in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield competition three years ago. James McBriar, the Ballynahinch 1stxv player, looks after the Strength and Conditioning aspects for the Down High School squad. His attention to detail will ensure the Down High School players are physically, as well as mentally, conditioned for this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 4th Round game. Team captain, Claytan Milligan, has led his team with great distinction this season. Claytan played with the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 team, the successful Ulster U19 team and featured in an Ireland Schools’ U18 Training camp over the Christmas period. He missed a number of games following the Inter-Provincial games but, since his return, he has seen his team overcome a number of leading teams, including three who are entering the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup competition at the same stage. Claytan has received great support from his Vice-Captains, Thomas Martin and Marcus Graham. Thomas is one of the unsung heroes of the Down High School team. He is a player who goes quietly and effectively about his duties but can produce great leadership skills when the situation requires something special. Marcus Graham is the leading point’s scorer for the Down High School team this season. His try scoring ability has been vital to the success of his team this season. His place kicking ability is legendary-he rarely misses. Ronan Patterson has scored a couple more tries than Marcus in the course of the season. The Methodist College defence will have to be top rate if these two Down High School players are not to add to their try scoring tallies. Lewis Finlay and Robin Wilson, the Down High School half back pairing, have had their talents recognized with their selection in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 squad. Zac Ward, their all-action forward, is a son of former Ulster flanker and current sports pundit, Andy Ward. Zac featured with the Ulster U19 squad earlier in the season. He will want to add to his growing reputation in the course of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup competition. Year 12 backrow player, Matthew Leathem, has risen to the challenges of 1stxv rugby with great distinction. His performances will be monitored closely by the Ulster Rugby Talent ID Department. Harry Hitchens, William Annett, Jack Carlisle, Alex Martin, Aaron Haslett and Harris McConnell are other Down High School players the Methodist College team will need to monitor closely.
The Methodist College, Belfast team has had a somewhat indifferent season in terms of results until now. However, it is now Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup time which will mean that whatever has happened earlier in the season there will now be a total re-focusing of efforts to ensure the Methodist College players are suitably well prepared, both mentally and physically, for their encounter against Down High School. When it comes to winning Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup games few teams have coaches in charge with more experience than the Methodist College team. Nick Wells and Stephen Lindsay have seen quite a few Methodist College teams through the trials and tribulations of a successful Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup run. They receive great assistance from Andrew Willis who has given freely of his time to develop his level of expertise in dealing with talented schoolboy players. Team captain, Matty Loane, is an all action player who leads his team by example. Matty sets very high standards for himself in terms of what he does both on and off the pitch. His attention to detail is renowned and he expects the same from his team mates. He forms a very effective break away trio with Cameron Kelly and Thomas Gallagher. It has been a difficult season at times for the Methodist College squad but things seem to have turned around somewhat since their trip to Portugal for a training camp prior to Christmas. While in camp the Methodist College team played against the Portugal National U19 team and recorded a well-deserved victory. On their return a successful outing to Dublin and a win against a much vaunted Terenure College team would suggest the Methody team might just be hitting a bit of form at just the right time. The Methody team has the ability to score tries from just about anywhere on the pitch. Players such as Paul Kerr, Conor Scollan, Jonny Jordan and Chris Larmour have been regular try scorers this season. Chris is a young emerging talent who has adapted well to the demands of senior schools’ rugby. Thomas Armstrong is another young player to have done likewise. Paul Kerr is not only a threat with the ball in his hands but he is also very accurate off the kicking tee. He will be only too happy to punish any Down High School indiscretions. Ben Crangle is a hard working prop who was involved with the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 team earlier in the season. His interactions with his opposite number at scrum time in the course of this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup game could have a great bearing on the eventual outcome. James McConnell, Samuel Bernard, Ethan McIlroy and Thomas Fletcher are other Methodist College players who will be hoping to impress in the course of this 4th Round Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup game.
This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 4 game is scheduled to kick off at 11-00am.
Enniskillen Royal Grammar School travelled to play Dromore High School in the 3rd Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. Following an early setback they recovered sufficiently well and now find themselves playing at home against their renowned Royal School “Cousins” from Armagh in the 4th Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. The Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team is coached by Rhys Botha and Rhys receives great support from Ashley Finlay with his coaching duties and responsibilities. Team captain, Andrew Crawford, leads his team with great distinction from his No 8 position as was seen against the Dromore High School team in the previous round. As well as being a tremendous leader Andrew has also been among the leading try scorers for the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team this season. In Jack Rutledge the team has a hard working forward, who can play in a number of positions. Jack has had his considerable talents recognised by the Danske Bank Ulster U18 Schools’ Management team. Jack Wilson, William Dowson and Andrew Dane form a very effective front row trio for the Enniskillen team while Reece Barrett and Jack Moore are hard- working 2nd Row forwards especially at set piece time. Morgan Bruce, Jack Rutledge and Andrew Crawford complete what is a very determined Enniskillen RGS pack with their backrow trio loving to carry the ball and cause all sorts of problems at the breakdown. Most of the players in the Enniskillen RGS pack of forwards have found themselves touching down for tries in the course of the current season. Andrew Dane, William Dowson, Jack Wilson and Jack Rutledge all did so in the previous round. However, it is in the back division where the real try scoring ability has been seen in the course of the current season. Scrum half, Matthew Dane, and his half back partner, Reece Smyton, have been regular try scorers this season. Reece is also the leading point’s scorer for the team with his consistent kicking skills off the tee. The Royal School, Armagh team will need to be disciplined anywhere within his striking range. Dylan Crawford, Alex Parkes and Jonny Irvine are outside backs on the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team that the Royal School, Armagh defence will need to monitor closely if the away team is to make any further progress in this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup competition.
The Royal School, Armagh team might feel they have already lost the psychological edge over their Enniskillen Royal Grammar School counterparts in the lead up to this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round encounter. They recorded a narrow 8-5 loss when the teams met back in September. The Royal School, Armagh coaches, Chris Parker and Willie Faloon, who have the not inconsiderable shadow of the well-renowned Kenny Hooks overseeing their endeavours, will know they will have another tough contest to deal with when they travel to Enniskillen on Saturday. The Royal School, Armagh team has the experienced James Dunne at the captaincy helm this season. James has led his team well but the feeling around the Royal School, Armagh team is that, while there have been some encouraging performances and results this season, the squad has struggled overall for consistency. A good core of experienced players has returned from the previous season with Jonny Agnew and talented scrum half, Benjamin Boyd, among the pick of the Year 12 players giving a good account of themselves in the course of their first year playing senior rugby. Jonny has been involved with Ulster U16 squads while Benjamin is a player whose progress is being closely monitored by the Ulster Rugby Talent ID Department. Their respective performances against the Royal School, Dungannon team in the previous round would suggest this monitoring process will continue. Peter Wilson has been the top Royal School, Armagh try scorer with an impressive tally of nineteen, his last one in the previous round. Not far behind come players such as Zac Thompson and Glen Faloon. Glen has amassed a tremendous total of 158 points this season and will be only too delighted to add to that total against the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team. Nicholas Jennings and Ryan O’Neill, both try scorers in the previous round, have been involved with the Ulster Schools’ U17 squad. Christopher Jennings, older brother of Nicholas, is Head Boy of the Royal School, Armagh. Both Jennings brothers will hope to emulate the achievements of their father, John, in the course of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign. John, of course, scored the winning try for the Royal School, Armagh team in the 1977 Ulster Schools’ Cup Final.
This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 4 game is scheduled to kick off at 11-00am.
The Belfast Royal Academy team has had a mixed season in terms of results since September. However, there now seem to be some encouraging signs breaking through and the Belfast Royal Academy team will see this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round game as being eminently winnable. Team coach, David Creighton, has the experience of Director of Rugby, Brian McLaughlin to call upon. With few exceptions in the schools’ game in Ulster, there are no more experienced coaches with the knowledge of what it takes to achieve success at schools’ level at Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup time than Brian. David, and the entire Belfast Royal Academy team, could hardly wish for a more experienced mentor than they have in Brian. Team captain, Conor McAuley, is a live wire scrumhalf who always gives of his best. He directs operations, cajoules and encourages his team mates, scores tries, kicks goals and has caused numerous headaches for the opposition players in all his games this season. All these qualities were evident in his performance against Portadown College in the previous round. Conor has topped the try scoring and, indeed, the points scoring charts for his team since the start of the season. The hard-working Tom Gilpin, in the Belfast Royal Academy backrow, has assisted with the try scoring statistics this season as has Matthew Borne. Tom had his great ability recognised earlier in the season when he played on the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 team throughout the Inter-Provincial series of games. Matthew Dalton, but for a knee injury, would have played on the Ulster U19 team. His progress in terms of his performance in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign will be monitored closely by the Ireland U19 Management team. His “lording of the lineout” as well as his two tries against Portadown College in the 3rd Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup show that Matthew has lost none of his all action style of play. His 2nd Row partner, Bradley Luney, is another player the Rainey team will need to monitor closely especially at set piece time. There are two emerging young players on the Belfast Royal Academy team whose progress in the course of their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign will be watched closely. Tom Stewart is a player who could play anywhere in the front row while Brandon Hasson is adept in a number of outside positions in the backline and loves nothing more than to get the ball in his hands. Abdullah Sabri, another wide player in the Belfast Royal Academy back division, will be very keen to add to his recent try scoring exploits in the course of this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round game.
The Rainey Endowed School team will travel to play Belfast Royal Academy in the 4th Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup in full realization of the fact they will be seen as the underdogs to win this game. However, anyone with any inkling of knowledge about this famous competition will know just how difficult a team the Rainey Endowed School has been over the years to get an Ulster Schools’ Cup win against. The Rainey Endowed School team is coached by Chris Campbell, himself a former winner of the competition with a Rainey Endowed School team in 1982. Chris is assisted by the experienced duo of Peter Boyle and Stu McCalmont. The coaching staff will be hoping to ensure the Belfast Royal Academy team will experience the same degree of difficulty in playing an Ulster Schools’ Cup game against the Rainey Endowed School as many other school teams have over many years. Team captain, Adam Currie, has led his team to a success rate of just over fifty percent this season. He has quite often been in a situation where he has had some nine Year 12 players under his control during games this season and, to his credit, he has brought them through well. The top try scorers on the Rainey Endowed School team this season have been their Danske Bank Ulster U18 Schools’ player, Bryn Davies, and Ulster U18 Club’s player, Jac Lloyd Evans. There is rugby football running through the veins of the Davies family as father, Dylan, played for both the Welsh Universities and British Universities as a student. Dylan coached the Rainey Old Boys Rugby Club in the All Ireland League in previous years. David Dripps has been involved with the Ulster U17 RDS set up and Jack Bresland and Karl Warner are beginning to emerge as very useful young players with an eye on the future. Both these players were try scorers in the course of their recent 3rd Round game against Regent House School. Todd Smyth is another Rainey player who caught the eye in that game. Adam Hunter is not just a talented rugby player, as was seen by his performance against Regent House in the 3rd Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, but is a useful exponent of the Gaelic Games code as well in his role as a vital player on the Derry Minor Gaelic Football team.
This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 4 game is scheduled to kick off at 10-45am.
There will be an intriguing encounter at Osborne Park when the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team, many people’s favourite team to lift the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup for what would be a third successive season, entertain Ballyclare High School in the 4th Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. The Belfast Inst Director of Rugby, Dan Soper, was previously Director of Rugby at Ballyclare High School. When he left to take up his post at Belfast Inst, he was replaced in Ballyclare by Michael Orchin-McKeever, himself a former pupil at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution. Dan has built up an impressive array of talent around him in terms of both staff and players. Richard Hedley has had years of experience coaching senior teams at Belfast Inst as well as at Ulster Age Grade representative level. James Knox looks after the Strength and Conditioning aspects of the preparation of the Belfast Inst senior teams while Gavin Noble provides a first class physiotherapy service to the Royal Belfast Academical Institution senior players. The whole thing is jelled together by the team manager, the redoubtable Andrew Douglas. Team captain, Michael Lowry, was a leading player with the successful Ulster U19 team earlier in the season. He was one of a number of key decision makers in that squad and provides a similar role with this Belfast Inst team. Michael sets very high standards for himself and expects nothing less from his team mates. Michael will be more that keen to follow in the footsteps of his immediate predecessors as captains of the Royal Belfast Acadeical Institution team, Conor Field and Lewis McNamara, in stepping up to lift the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup on St Patrick’s Day. Michael’s half back partner, Rhys O’Donnell, is an outstanding prospect who was another member of the Ulster U19 squad. Rhys gained International recognition last season when he played on the Ireland U18 3 Nations team against a France U18 and the England Home Counties U18 teams. Alongside James Hume, the Vice-Captain, and Joe Finnegan in the Belfast Inst backline, the performances of these players will be closely monitored by the Ireland U19 Management team during the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign. Callum Reid played for the Ulster U19 team while the talented Niall Armstrong and Ethan Field had their abilities recognized when they played for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ team earlier in the season. Ethan has missed quite a few games due to injury and it would be seen as a major boost for the Belfast Inst squad if his rehab was sufficient to allow him to take his place in the squad for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign. Players like Pierce McLernon, who has had an outstanding season, Dermot Wallace, Yasser Omar, Neil Saulters, Paddy Finnegan and Charlie Cloke are all in Year 14 and have been the backbone of the development of a very good set of forwards. Added to that list can be David Lyttle who has proved to be more than a handful for opposition teams this season. David McCann is a Belfast Inst back who is equally adept in playing in a number of positions and this gives the coaching staff a great degree of flexibility when it comes to selection alongside his talented colleagues. Angus Adair is an emerging talent in the Belfast Inst backline who would love nothing more than a successful run in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. A successful midterm tour to Northampton and Bedford in October cemented in the minds of the Royal Belfast Academical Institution squad that they definitely had the talent, desire and experience to continue along the road of recent success the school has achieved in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup competition. They set out along that road on Saturday.
The Ballyclare High School team, coached by Michael Orchin-McKeever, who receives great assistance from former pupil and Ulster player, Richard Lutton, Gary Clotworthy and Gareth Lenaghan will be determined, despite the odds, that the Ballyclare High School name will be in the draw for a place in the last eight of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. They will see themselves as outsiders to win this game against the Belfast Inst team and current statistics would seem to back that up. They lost heavily against Belfast Inst back in September when both teams had players missing due to representative age grade duties. However, the coaching staff and Ballyclare High School players will see this as a “one off seventy minute game” in which they feel they have the potential to cause what would be a major upset. They have chalked up eleven wins in games thus far in the course of the season. The coaches have focused their performances on player development and enjoyment and everyone associated with the game in Ballyclare High School is looking forward to this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup game. Team Captain, Jake McVicker, has captained his team very effectively this season. He has worked with over thirty five players who have worn the Ballyclare High School 1stxv jersey in the course of the season. Jake feels this has given great opportunities to a wide range of players allowing them to gain experience as well as assist in their development. Jake, playing at scrum half, finds himself surrounded by other talented players. Owen Kirk, Jack Black and James Nelson top the try scoring charts. Owen added three to his current tally against Lurgan College in the previous round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. Adam Clarke has run in a number of tries this season and scored one more against Lurgan College. However, it is his effective use of his trusty boot that has impressed many observers this season and he is just in Year 12. Jack Lewis, at fullback, was another try scorer in the previous round and represented the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 Schools’ team earlier in the season. Adam Clarke, who is also a talented cricketer, has been involved with the Ulster U17 squad while Josh Young, an Ulster Schools’ Shot and Discus Champion, and James Nelson, will be watched by RDS representatives. Jack Black and Adam Playfair are entering their 3rd Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign. Aaron Coulter, another Ballyclare High School player the Belfast Inst defence will need to monitor carefully, has gained representative honours in Bowling, having played at U25 Level for Ireland. Aaron will look to bring some of the experience he has gained at international level as a Bowler to his game on Saturday.
This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 4 game is scheduled to kick off at 11-00am.
The Friends’ School, Lisburn team came successfully through their previous Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup games against Antrim Grammar School and Coleraine Grammar School with impressive wins. However, those wins have come at something of a cost with a number of key players picking up a few bumps and bruises and in doubt for selection as the Friends’ School squad prepares to host a rampant Grosvenor Grammar School team in the 4th Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. However, the Friends’ School coach, Stephen Robinson, who continues to receive assistance from the evergreen Norman Gamble and S&C input from the youthful Peter Weir, as well as technical direction from the experienced Hugh McCaughey, will be hoping that his injury worries will have somewhat reduced before making his final selections for this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round game against the very talented Grosvenor Grammar School team. The Friends’ School captain, Adam Milligan, has led his team well this season. The team has achieved some notable results but the injury list has impacted upon some of their performances. Adam will look to players such as Ben McCaughey and Bradley Mulholland who have been the top try scorers, to continue with their try scoring exploits when it comes to Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round time. Ben has also been deadly accurate with his goal kicking duties throughout the current season as was seen in the recent successful replay against Coleraine Grammar School. Curtis Dundas, as well as being Deputy Head Boy in the school, has represented Ireland on the successful U18 Seven-a-Side team while George Pringle played on the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ team in the Inter- Provincial series earlier in the season. The emerging talents of Henry Tolerton, Connor Hall, who is joined by his younger brother Alex on the team, and David Stewart are being closely monitored by the Ulster Rugby Talent ID Department. If all these frontline players are free from injury and available for selection the Friends’ School, Lisburn coaching staff will approach this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round game in a more positive frame of mind. The Friends’ School coaching staff will also need to ensure that the Friends’ School, Lisburn team is as impressive without the ball as they have been with the ball in some of their games this season. Their first up defence against an attack minded Grosvenor Grammar School team will need to be of the highest order.
The Grosvenor Grammar School team has recorded a number of significant results in recent weeks. On the back of a victory against an excellent Omagh Academy team and their Danske Bank Ulster Bank 3rd Round success against the much vaunted Bangor Grammar School team, the Grosvenor Grammar School team will see themselves as favourites to win this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup encounter against what will be a young Friends’ School team. The Grosvenor Grammar School team had a very successful tour to South Africa before the Ulster Schools’ season began. However, since their return, they have experienced something of a roller coaster ride in terms of success. A considerable number of injuries have been picked up since the start of the season and this has impacted on the ability of the coaches to select a settled squad and the ability of the players to put in consistent performances. However, recent results seem to have steadied the Grosvenor Grammar School ship. The team is coached by Andrew Gibson and Gary Hunter with their experienced hooker, Jack Mahon, selected as the dynamic captain of the Grosvenor team. There is no doubting the potential of the team with all the players in their talented back line in particular offering threats against opposition teams throughout the season. Good performances against Campbell College and Down High in the first term showed what the players were capable of achieving. Without the wins required against some other school teams momentum didn’t really seem to build. The squad has been together since the tour to South Africa in the summer, and have trained and committed to each other magnificently well in all they have done. In recent weeks it would appear that the team is getting the structures and decision making right. The recent victory against a very strong Omagh Academy team was hard-earned but, ultimately, well-deserved. Their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 3rd Round victory against Bangor Grammar School has reignited the winning mentality among the players in the Grosvenor Grammar School squad. The team worked superbly well for that win and demonstrated the positive spirit and mental attitude that is now present among everyone associated with the Grosvenor Grammar School squad. With all of the injured players now back in action there are high hopes the Grosvenor Grammar School season will go the way the players and coaching staff think it deserves to. There are quite a few of Grosvenor Grammar School players the Friends’ School, Lisburn team would do well to watch out for. James McMaster has attracted the attention of the Ulster Rugby Talent ID Department with his performances in the front row during his first year on the team. Ewan Renfrew in the 2nd Row has been the go-to man at lineout time for Jack Mahon. Jos McConkey has been the leading try scorer for the team this season and the Friends’ School defence will need to be aware of his sublime running and decision making skills. Jos scored all the points against Bangor and was deserved of his “Man of the Match” award at the end of that game. Daniel Martin has featured to good effect in a number of positions in a talented Grosvenor Grammar School back division this season. Daniel is also an excellent place kicker as is Jos. The Friends’ School discipline will need to be first class anywhere within striking distance of their posts. The Grosvenor Grammar School out half and full back, Daniel Martin and Conor Kernohan, respectively, are current Schools Cup holders, all be it in soccer and not rugby!
This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 4 game is scheduled to kick off at 10-30am.
Having been on the road for their last two games in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup the Dalriada School team will be delighted to be hosting the Ballymena Academy team at home when the teams meet in the 4th Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup on Saturday. The Dalriada School team recorded a comprehensive victory against Larne Grammar School in the 2nd Round and followed this up with a hard earned 3rd Round victory against Limavady Grammar School. They will see home advantage in their 4th Round tie against Ballymena Academy as giving them a distinct advantage. The Dalriada School team, coached by Rab Gregg and Benjy Van Der Byl, will be hoping to emulate the success of their 2015/16 colleagues who reached the semi-finals of last season’s Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. It might seem a tall order for the current Dalriada School team but there is a real work ethic in this Dalriada team which has a good number of players who bring experience to the team having returned from last season. Their comprehensive victory against Larne Grammar School in the 2nd Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup would suggest the Dalriada School squad of players had clearly set their intentions out for the current cup campaign. Their 3rd Round performance in Limavady Grammar School more than backed that theory up. The team is captained by Dennis Posternak who was part of the successful Ulster U19 squad earlier in the season. Dennis is surrounded by attack minded backs in the Dalriada School team. Full back, Thomas Hunter, is a player who leads the Dalriada School try scoring charts this season. He ran in four more tries in their first Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup game against Larne Grammar School and one against Limavady Grammar School in the 3rd Round. The Ballymena Academy defence will need to monitor him closely. As well as being the leading try scorer so far this season, Thomas is also a first class place kicker. That applies as well to Paddy Elliott, a 2nd Row forward who has effectively displayed his kicking skills in the last two rounds of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. Peter Wright is a very talented winger and in Ross Fallows the team has a player with pace to burn. Scott Gamble is another Dalriada School player whose attacking skills should not be underestimated by the Ballymena Academy team. It has been a season of mixed results thus far for the Dalriada School team but their performances in the course of their current Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign have given the Dalriada squad a renewed sense of confidence. A mid-term tour to Barcelona did a lot for the Dalriada team in terms of the development of individual, unit and team skills. Team bonding exercises were an important aspect of the tour and the coaching staff will hope this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup game will provide the opportunities for their players to express themselves fully. While the main strength of the Dalriada School team would appear to be in their back division there is one young player who seems to be able to adapt to playing in either the forwards or the backs on the Dalriada School team. Conor Clarke is a talented sportsman whose athleticism has seen him play in the second row, in the centre and on the wing in recent times. His father, Darren, was a more than accomplished schoolboy rugby player whilst a pupil at the Royal School, Dungannon during the mid-1980’s and might be an interested spectator at this game.
The Ballymena Academy team will be playing their first game in the current Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign. Like their opposite numbers on Saturday they reached the semi-final stage last season before they lost out to the eventual winners from the Royal Belfast Academical Institution. Many neutral observers see the Ballymena Academy squad as the one group of players that might be strong enough to loosen the grip of the Royal Belfast Academical Institution on the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. The Ballymena Academy team, coached by John Andrews and Gavin Murray, has had a successful season in terms of results, losing only three of their games. However, the coaching staff, who are able to call upon the services of Aaron Moore and former Ulster Rugby player and past pupil, Ricky Andrew, to assist, feel there is a lot more to come from this talented squad of players. Ryan Keating looks after the Strength and Conditioning aspects of the team’s performance so there is doubt the players will be well prepared physically for this encounter. There is an abundance of Ulster and Ireland U18 and U19 Age Grade talent throughout the ranks of the Ballymena Academy squad. Team captain, Alexander Clarke, has played for two years on the Ireland Schools’ U18 team and was a member of the successful Ulster U19 team earlier in the season. His performance on Saturday against the Dalriada School team will be monitored closely by the Ireland U19 Management team. As well as being 1stxv captain in Ballymena Academy, Alexander’s leadership qualities off the pitch have been recognized with his appointment as Deputy Head Boy in the school. Angus Kernohan is Head Boy of Ballymena Academy and he acts as Vice-Captain of the rugby team. Angus has been involved with the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ team and has attended Ireland Schools’ U18 Camps in the course of the season. Angus is the leading try scorer for the Ballymena Academy team this season and, along with Alan Small, will be hoping to play his 50th game for the Ballymena Academy team in the course of this current Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign. Azur Allison captained the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ team during the Inter-Provincial series and has attended the Ireland Schools’ U18 Camps. Bruce Houston, the leading point’s scorer on the Ballymena Academy team this season played for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 team and also attended the Ireland Schools’ Camps as did his fellow back, Stewart Moore. Scott Agnew, Ben Savage, Tim Savoury, Oisin Jordan, Mark Thompson and Tiarnan Martin all featured with the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ team while Micahel Stronge was a valued member of the Ulster U19 squad. Emerging talents such as Jonathan Browne and Joshua McAuley have had their ability recognized by their inclusion in Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U17 squads. Seventeen players of the current Ballymena Academy squad were involved in the semi-final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup last season with eleven of the squad having started that game. Scott Agnew and his brother, Conor, are twins and grandsons of Sam Alexander, a former Vice –Principal of Ballymena Academy. In his time at the school Sam coached many teams including the 1stxv. He was an Ulster and Ireland Schools’ Selector of some repute. Among his progeny emerging from his Ballymena Academy teams is one John Andrews, the current Ballymena Academy coach. Sam is sure to be an interested spectator at this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 4th Round game on Saturday.
This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 4 game is scheduled to kick off at 10-30am.
Two of the top seeded teams in the 2016/7 Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup will meet when Campbell College, Belfast host their near neighbours from Sullivan Upper School at Fox’s Field on Saturday. The Campbell College coach, Brian Robinson, who is ably assisted by the youthful Jonny Cupitt, a former pupil of Sullivan Upper, will be hoping that he can guide his current squad back to the Kingspan Stadium on March 17th and go one stage further than the squad he took there last season. So far this season the Campbell College team has lost only three games and those games were lost narrowly when the team was missing quite a number of frontline players. Team captain, James Nelson gained representative age grade honours with the Ulster U19 team earlier in the season as did tight head prop, Tom O’Toole. It is unlikely that James will play any major on-field role in the Campbell College Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign as he is currently recovering from a collar bone injury. There is power and pace aplenty in the ranks of the Campbell College squad and, with many of their players having experienced the disappointment of the loss in last year’s Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup final, there is an overwhelming desire for success among both the coaching staff as well as the players. This Campbell College team has the ability to score tries from anywhere on a pitch. Full back, Ben Webb and backrow forward, Jamie Macartney, share the leading try scorer ratings with Tom O’Toole and Oscar Yandall not far behind. Oscar, Ben Power and Will Davis share the place kicking duties which ensures they are among the leading point’s scorers in the Campbell College squad this season. As well as their two Ulster U19 Inter-Provincial players the Campbell College team can call upon the services of six Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 players in Matthew Crowther, who is also Head Boy of the school, John McKee, Oisin Kernan, Jamie Macartney, Ben Webb and Oscar Yandall. Emerging talents such as Harry Owens, Sam Robinson, Lucas Yandall, brother of Oscar, and Jack Stinson are other Campbell College players the Sullivan Upper team will need to monitor carefully when the teams meet in the 4th Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
The Sullivan Upper team has gone through a recent period of transition in terms of the staff involved with the team as coaches. Adam Craig is in his first full season as Head Coach with Chris Henderson coming on board to assist. Mike Rodgers has come back in to the Sullivan Upper coaching set-up in a technical and advisory role. His knowledge and understanding of the schoolboy game should prove invaluable to the coaching staff who have also the experienced hand of Stephen Finlay to call upon as team manager. The Sullivan Upper captain, Ruairi Meharg, is a son of a former Ireland U20 winger, Shame Meharg. Ruairi has led his team with great distinction in the course of the current season. He will realise that their visit to Campbell College will test severely the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup credentials of his Sullivan Upper squad. Ruairi will let the entire Sullivan Upper squad know what he will bring to the occasion and exactly what he expects his team mates to bring along as well. Alongside his half back partner and team Vice-Captain, Matty Moran, who is Head Boy in the school, Ruairi brings great individual positional skills as well as well-honed game management and leadership skills. The Sullivan Upper season started well with some convincing victories all of which showed the potential the team had for a good run in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. However, due to injuries and cancelled fixtures the second half of the season has been inconsistent in terms of performances due to some twenty seven players having featured for the team. This has presented added responsibilities for the senior members of the squad to handle with players such as Michael Houston and Jules Storey, a Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 player, stepping up to the mark. Prop, James Butt, has worked hard this year to become a cornerstone of the pack having captained the Sullivan Upper3rd xv last year. He forms a dynamic front row trio with hooker Shaun Tyler and fellow prop, Charlie Shannon. Shaun, with winger Andrew McConnell, is a rising star in the world of GAA having played football at county level in that code. Credit must go to Jamie Thallon who, despite being in Year 12, has maintained his place in the Sullivan Upper 2nd Row throughout the season. Jamie is also a very talented golfer. The backrow, which has been consistently disrupted by injuries, includes live wires Charlie Gregg and Adam McKenna who are complimented by Ulster RDS member, Stephen Moore. The exciting back line includes Ruairi Meharg, Johnny MacCrossan and emerging talent, Connor McKee. Andrew Weir, whose ability to play outhalf or centre has been well utilised this year, is complimented by the talented Rory Kirkpatrick who has huge potential in the game of rugby. Rory and Jules Storey have been the leading try scorers on the Sullivan Upper team this season. Rory, with his great ability off the tee has been the leading point’s scorer this season. Jules, who has been one of the few ever presents in the Sullivan Upper team this year, has consistently shown the ability to beat the first defender and this is something the squad has relied on throughout the season. The Campbell College defence will need to watch him closely.
This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 4 game is scheduled to kick off at 10-30am.
The Wallace High School team should see themselves as clear favourites to win as they prepare to welcome fellow top seeds, Omagh Academy, to the Magheralave Road venue for their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round game on Saturday. The Wallace High School has the psychological advantage of having recorded a large win against the same opposition at the same venue back in November. The Wallace High School Director of Rugby, Derek Suffern, who is assisted with his 1stxv coaching by Ian Latham, will have completed an in depth analysis of the Omagh Academy team and his talented squad will be well-prepared for the game. The Wallace High School team captain, Gary Dillon, will want his team mates to ensure they leave no stone unturned in an effort to overcome the Omagh Academy challenge. Gary will wish to ensure his team has the Wallace High School name in the draw for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-final stage. Gary leads from the front and his team has produced a very impressive set of results in the course of the current season. Not only has the team achieved some very impressive results against teams from Ulster but they have achieved some significant results against school teams from Leinster as well. Gary has been the leading try scorer for the Wallace High School this season with players such as Matthew Pentland, Jamie Manderson and Jonny Hunter not far behind. Matthew Pentland, as well as impressing with the ball in hand, is a superb place kicker who will be only too happy to display his place kicking skills on Saturday. Jamie Manderson is a very athletic winger who has outpaced quite a few opposition defenders in his game this season. Jamie and Jonny Hunter both played for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 team earlier in the season. There are first class rugby genes in Jonny Hunter whose grandfather, Raymond, a former Wallace High School pupil, went on to play for Ulster, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions. The Omagh Academy defence will not only have to monitor these players but will need to watch out for the emerging talents of players such as Peter McRoberts and Conor Rankin. Both these players are involved with the Ulster Schools’ U17 squad and have been regular point’s scorers for the Wallace High School team in recent games. The Cardosi twins, Sam and Josh, are two more Wallace High School players who have caught the eye of interested observers with their positive performances in games for the Wallace High School team in recent weeks. The Wallace High School squad recently took part in a successful training camp in Portugal. The squad used it as an opportunity to cement in place their physiological and psychological approach to their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign which starts on Saturday.
The Omagh Academy team started the season off in a very commanding position. They recorded some very impressive results against schools from all over the Province. One or two recent upsets have not in any way undermined the confidence the squad had built up with their successes earlier in the season. They will look upon this challenging visit to Wallace High School as an opportunity to put right their performance when they last played against the Wallace team in November. The Omagh team realized they did not perform well on that occasion. The team coach, Ross Hunter, who is assisted by Alistair Brown and John Lagan, will see this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round game as a challenge for his talented squad of players. Team captain, James Longwell, a member of the famous Longwell rugby family, is a hard working backrow player who has been at the centre of all that has been good about the Omagh Academy performances this season. He is a very combative player who loves nothing more than to get the ball in hand a take on the opposition. James leads by example on the pitch and receives great support from his vice-captain, and fellow backrow player, Nathan Sides. The team has scored close to three hundred points so far this season and conceded less than half of that total. James Longwell, Nathan Sides and Taine Lagan have been the leading try scorers this season with Kyle Beattie their leading point’s scorer. The squad is made up of a useful mix of youth and experience. Players such as Taine Lagan, Glenn McKinley, Jake McCay and Robbie Sproule are seen as emerging talents whose skills have been recognized by the Ulster Rugby talent ID Department. They have been involved with a successful Ulster Schools’ U17 squad and their performances in the course of their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign will be closely monitored. The Omagh Academy team will approach this game in a positive frame of mind. They will realise they need to have their attacking and defensive strategies well thought out and in place if the Omagh Academy name is to be in draw for the quarter-final stage of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 4 game is scheduled to kick off at 11-00am.
