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Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Final Preview Monday 18th March 2019
Campbell College, Belfast came through a tricky encounter when they defeated the Royal School, Armagh team in a closely contested Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup semi-final game on March 5th at the Kingspan Stadium. While maybe not playing at their best their performance in the course of that game proved, once again, just how reluctant the current Campbell College squad will be to loosen their hold on the Ulster Schools’ Cup. The Campbell College team overcame the not insignificant challenge provided by the Sullivan Upper School team in the 4th Round game played in front of a partisan crowd in Holywood. Campbell College then hosted Enniskillen Royal Grammar School in the quarter-final game which they won in a reasonably comfortable fashion. Despite being well behind in the possession stats against the Royal School, Armagh team in the semi-final the Campbell College team did manage to score the tries when it mattered in that game. In the lead up to the start of their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign the Campbell College team had a run of very impressive results against renowned schools from Munster and Leinster. Those wins, alongside their 4th Round victory at Sullivan Upper, quarter-final victory against Enniskillen RGS and hard earned semi-final victory against Royal School, Armagh, would suggest the Campbell College, Belfast players are not going to give up easily their hold on the Ulster Schools’ Cup. They will see themselves happy with the mantel of underdogs as they prepare to face the Methodist College, Belfast team in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup-the “Blue Riband” event of rugby in Ulster Schools. The Campbell College team is coached by the experienced Brian Robinson who can call upon the youthful exuberance of Jonny Cupitt to assist him. Neil Doak continues to act in an advisory capacity to Brian and Jonny and his experience as a coach is off great value to the Campbell College players and staff. The team is captained by Rex Tinsley who brings great leadership qualities to the role. As well as being a very astute captain on the pitch Rex is also a calming influence when playing in the centre and directing operations within the Campbell College back division. Rex is also Head Boy at Campbell College and was a member of the Ulster U19 squad that defeated the Australian Schools’ team back in December. His calm assured leadership was evident in abundance in the course of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup games against Sullivan Upper School, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School and, in particular, in the course of the semi-final game against the Royal School, Armagh team. Campbell College players such as Jack Stinson, Conor Rankin, Paddy McAlpine, Jack Boal, Finlay Parks and Luke Collins have been involved with various Ulster and, in some cases, Ireland Age Grade squads. Conor Rankin is the leading point’s scorer on the Campbell College team and he has caused untold problems for opposition teams this season with his eye for the line as well as a deadly accurate boot off the tee. He proved that with his well-taken try against the Royal School, Armagh team in the semi-final. Tobi Olaniyan, Ben Rainey and James Johnston form a dynamic break away trio in the Campbell College back row and, in John Gildea, they have a young player who puts in a great deal of effort with his performances in the front row. The robust performances of these players against the Royal School, Armagh team in the semi-final were central to Campbell College emerging as victorious from that game. One of the keys to unlocking the outcome of this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Final game against the Methodist College, Belfast team could be the battle of the respective back row trios! Danny Williamson, Rex Tinsley, Kieran Robertson, Dara Gaskin, Jack Boal and Ollie Ralston have all been regular try scorers for the Campbell College, Belfast team this season. They will all be hoping to add to their totals when it comes to the defence of their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup winner’s title in this intriguing final.
The Methodist College, Belfast team has come through their previous Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup games this season in a relatively comfortable fashion. They travelled to play Dalriada School in the 4th Round when they recorded a very positive victory. Next up was a Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-final game at Pirrie Park against their great rivals from Royal Belfast Academical Institution. Despite going 7-0 down in the opening stages of that game the Methodist College team recovered before going on to record an impressive 29-14 win. The Methodist College, Belfast team then had to work very hard before they were able to see off the not inconsiderable challenge provided by the Wallace High School team in the semi-final with a hard earned 19-3 victory. That win ensured the Methodist College team remains undefeated in any game played over normal time this season. Not for the first time will the Methody team carry the mantel of favourites to win the Ulster Schools’ Cup competition but their results this season against all-comers from schools in Ulster, Munster and Leinster would suggest the tag as favourites is fully justified. The Methodist College, Belfast team is coached by the experienced duo of Nicky Wells and Stephen Lindsay. Kevin McNaboe is the team captain who has led his players to great success in the course of the current season. Undefeated in normal game time their successful season has seen victories against the mighty Blackrock College, when the Methody team won the McIntosh Shield, as well as a training camp in Portugal which finished off with a win against a strong Portugal U19 team. The top point’s scorer for the Methody team is Ethan McIlroy, a talented player who is equally at home playing as a full back or on the wing. Not only has Ethan an eye for the line but he is a top class place kicker as well. Ethan has achieved representative honours with the Ulster U19 team this season and has been involved in Ireland U19 training camps. Ethan has been outstanding in his Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup performances this season. Thomas Armstrong, Robbie Armstrong and Chris Larmour have also gained representative honours with the Ulster U19 team this season. These four players are responsible for scoring a high percentage of the Methodist College tries this season as they have displayed with their performances in the 4th Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup against the Dalriada School team as well as their quarter-final performances against Royal Belfast Academical Institution and their semi-final performances against Wallace High School although, on that occasion, they were assisted by the impressive Adam Reid. Once again they will all see this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup final game against Campbell College, Belfast as an opportunity to add to their impressive try and points scoring tallies. Their performances in this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup game will be watched closely by members of the Ulster Talent ID Department as well as the Ireland U19 Management team. Traditionally the basis for any Methodist College success has been with their pack. In players such as Kevin McNaboe and Ben Crangle, both of whom have been involved with previous Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 squads, they have two of the finest forwards playing schools’ rugby at the minute. They are joined in the hard working and efficient Methodist College pack by players such as Daniel Humphries, Ted Linton, Ben Gourley and flanker, Adam Reid, who had an outstanding game in the semi-final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup against the Wallace High School team. This is a very balanced Methodist College team with a great deal of character being displayed by all the players and the Methody players will all be looking forward to this exciting Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Final encounter against a very youthful Campbell College, Belfast team.
