Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 25th January 2025.
Coleraine Grammar School and Antrim Grammar School played a recent friendly fixture which the Coleraine Grammar School team won by 31-0.
The Coleraine Grammar School team scored five tries through Myles Johnston, Ben Todd, Archie McLenaghan, Louis McGowan and Oliver McLean.
Joshua Hawe added three successful conversion kicks.
Despite not crossing the Coleraine Grammar School whitewash, the Antrim Grammar School team had players such as Jack McNeilly, Jake Quigley, Isaac Lynn and Jake Quigley who came close to doing so on a number of occasions.
One recent Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup 1/4 Final game took place when Royal Belfast Academical Institution 4thxv hosted Campbell College, Belfast 4thxv in a very closely contested game.
The Campbell College, Belfast 4thxv won the game by 23-21 with their “Hero of the Hour”, Rory McIlduff, hitting a 30m drop goal, with the last play of the game, to secure the win for his team.
On Wednesday 22nd January, two Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Round of Sixteen games took place.
In an early kick off game, Strabane Academy hosted Grosvenor Grammar School in a game the Grosvenor Grammar School team won by 38-3.
The young Strabane Grammar School team scored their points through a well struck penalty goal from the talented Jonny Orr.
The Grosvenor Grammar School team scored their points through tries from Ewan Roberts, who ran in for two, Harley Huntley, James Campbell, Finn Henry and Adam Armstrong.
James Campbell added the extras to three of the tries with Shea Taggart adding a fourth conversion.
Later that afternoon, Omagh Academy played Bangor Academy at the Campsie Playing Fields in an exciting game the Omagh Academy team won by 36-5.
The Omagh Academy team scored six tries with Harry McIlwaine touching down for a hattrick, Ryan Mitchell scoring a brace and Lewis McIvor racing in for one try.
Sam Harper added the extras to three of the tries.
The Bangor Academy team made the Omagh Academy team work hard for their win and players such as Sean McClory, who scored their try, Sean Hynes, Isaac Gourley and Steven Boyd stood out with their performances in the course of the game.
The last of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Trophy Round of Sixteen games eventually took place when Banbridge Academy 3rdxv hosted Methodist College, Belfast 5thxv.
The Banbridge Academy 3rdxv won this game by 47-12 and will now host Ballymena Academy 3rdxv in the 1/4 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Trophy.
On the same afternoon, Campbell College, Belfast 3rdxv played Methodist College, Belfast 3rdxv in the 1/4 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup.
The Campbell College, Belfast 3rdxv team won this game by 10-0.
On Friday 24th January, Portadown College 3rdxv should have played Ballyclare High School 3rdxv in their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup 1/4 Final game.
However, that game, plus the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield Round of Sixteen replay game involving the Ballymena Academy Medallion team and the Down High School Medallion team, was postponed due to the effects of Storm Eowyn.
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ competition games will be rescheduled for the coming week.
Saturday 25th January was a busy day with the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup and Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Round of Sixteen games taking place.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, seven Round of Sixteen games were completed.
Bangor Grammar School played Rainey Endowed School in an entertaining game the Rainey Endowed School team won by 56-12.
The Bangor Grammar School team scored their points through tries from Cal Banyard and George Patterson with Adam Bickerstaff adding one successful conversion.
The Rainey Endowed School team scored eight tries in the course of the game.
Owen O’Kane and Lorcan McLarnon each scored two tries with Jonathan Johnston, Charlie McConville, Emmett McNulty and Luke Caskey each touching down for one try.
Owen O’Kane capped a fine personal performance with seven successful conversion kicks with Emmett McNulty adding the eighth conversion.
Campbell College, Belfast played Royal Belfast Academical Institution in an exciting game the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team won by 19-17.
The Campbell College, Belfast team scored two tries through James Callaghan and Ollie Park with Henry Ralston adding both conversions as well as one successful penalty kick.
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution team scored three tries through Jack Coulter, George Craigan and Connor Patton.
Charlie O’Connor was successful with two of his conversion kicks.
Coleraine Grammar School played Regent House School in a game the Regent House School team won by 42-7.
The inexperienced Coleraine Grammar School contributed a lot to the game and got some reward for their endeavours when Joel Milford touched down for a try which was then goaled by Joshua Hawe.
The Regent House School team scored six tries with Lewis Robinson and Matthew Callaghan each scoring a brace alongside Toby McSorley and Finn McClean who ran in for one try apiece.
Joah McConville had a great morning “off the tee” with all six successful conversion kicks.
Dalriada School played Ballymena Academy at Ballymoney RFC in a game which finished as a 14-14 draw.
The Dalriada School tries were scored by Angus Graham and Matthew Fox.
Alfie Millar subsequently added the conversions to both tries.
The Ballymena Academy team scored their points early in the game with Tom Wylie and Reuben Allen scoring one try each to which Reuben added both conversions.
Both teams, their coaches and spectators would like to thank Ballymoney RFC for the use of facilities and hosting the game.
Enniskillen Royal Grammar School played Wallace High School in a game, where despite going 7-0 behind early on, the Wallace High School team emerged as 31-7 winners.
Ben Foster scored an early try for the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team with Sam Paton, whose grandfather Wilton, a King’s Scholar’s RFC Legend, captained Campbell College to Schools’ Cup success against Coleraine AI in 1966, adding the conversion.
The Wallace High School team then went on to score five tries.
Rio McDonagh scored two with Michael McCavery, Sam Warwick and Daniel Wilson touching down for one try each.
Josh Geddis added three successful conversion kicks.
Methodist College, Belfast played Belfast Royal Academy in a high scoring encounter the Belfast Royal Academy team won by 43-26.
The Methodist College, Belfast points came through two tries from Oliver Gartley and one try apiece from Callum Godfrey and Sam Nixon.
Louis Curran added three successful conversion kicks.
The Belfast Royal Academy team scored their points through tries from Jayden Irwin, Frank Davis, Ryan Calwell, Max McKitterick, Jake Carpenter and Caleb McWhinney.
Connor McVicker used his trusty boot to add five successful conversions as well as one penalty goal.
Royal School, Armagh played Down High School and recorded a 38-0 victory.
Hero of the Day for the Royal School, Armagh team was Sam Gray who touched down for a hattrick of tries. Thomas Dougan, Cameron Dale and Paddy Seweryn scored the other three Royal School, Armagh tries.
Evan Hughes added the extras to three tries with Adamm Harrison adding a fourth successful conversion.
As a result of a recent initiative proposed by Ulster Rugby, the eighth Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round of Sixteen game, involving Banbridge Academy and Sullivan Upper School, is scheduled to be played as a curtain raiser game prior to the Ulster v Zebre URC game at the Kingspan Stadium.
In the six remaining Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Round of Sixteen games, Carrickfergus Grammar School played Cambridge House Grammar School in a game the Cambridge House Grammar School team won by 24-3.
The Carrickfergus Grammar school team put in a solid performance with players such as Colin Campbell, Joshua Oluwatula, Toby Keating, Saul Logan and Adam Magill working hard.
Their points came through a well struck penalty kick from Alex McAllister.
The Cambridge House Grammar School team scored their points through one try from Justin Marks alongside a hattrick from Henri Kyle.
Justin was also successful with two conversion kicks.
Dromore High School should have played Royal School, Dungannon at the Barban Hill venue but the game was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
This game will be rescheduled to take place next week.
Foyle and Londonderry College played Limavady Grammar School in a very close encounter the Limavady Grammar School team won by 19-17.
The Foyle College points came through two tries from Cian O’Leary with Thomas Williamson adding two successful conversions as well as one penalty goal.
The Limavady Grammar School team scored three tries through Dara McAuley, James Mackey and Killian Brolly.
James Laird added two successful conversion kicks.
Friends’ School, Lisburn should have played Belfast High School but the Belfast High School team was unable to travel.
This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Round of Sixteen game has been rescheduled to take place on Tuesday 28th January at 2-15pm.
Lurgan College played Ballyclare High School in a game the Ballyclare High School team won by 26-7.
The Ballyclare High School team had built up a 14-0 lead by the interval before the Lurgan College team responded with an early second half try scored by Andrew Lyttle and converted by Ben Maxwell.
The Ballyclare High School points came through tries from Patrick McCleary, Ross Ferguson, Josh McColgan and Jack Morrow.
James Woodside added two conversions with Jude Semple adding a third.
Portadown College played Antrim Grammar School and won the game by 45-24.
Jack Todd, Jack Benson, with two, Tyler Jackson, with two, Bobby Newell and Taylor Sloan scored the Portadown College tries.
Danny Guy was successful with two penalty goals as well as two conversion kicks.
The Antrim Grammar School team scored their points with two tries from Tom McNeilly, one try from Jack McNeilly and one try from Michael McKay.
Calum Lavery added the conversions to two of the Antrim Grammar School tries.
Once the results of all the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup and Bowl Round of Sixteen games were known, the draws for the 1/4 Final games in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield, Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy competitions were made.
The draws were hosted by Friends’ School, Lisburn in recognition of the Friends’ School, Lisburn 250th Anniversary celebrations.
The draws were organised by Richard Clingan, Chairman of the Ulster Schools’ Rugby Committee and made by Mr Stephen Moore, Principal of Friends’ School, Lisburn, Richard Clingan, Chairman of the Ulster Schools’ Rugby Committee and Ulster Rugby Domestic Manager, Chris Webster.
The results of the draws are as follows; –
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 1/4 Final draw.
1/Rainey Endowed School v Dalriada School/Ballymena Academy
2/Royal School, Armagh v Regent House School
3/Banbridge Academy/Sullivan Upper School v Belfast Royal Academy
4/Wallace High School v Royal Belfast Academical Institution
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 1/4 Final games MUST be played on/before Saturday 8th February
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield 1/4 Final draw
1/Methodist College, Belfast v Bangor Grammar School
2/Banbridge Academy/Sullivan Upper School v Enniskillen Royal Grammar School
3/Dalriada School/Ballymena Academy v Down High School
4/Campbell College, Belfast v Coleraine Grammar School
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield 1/4 Final games MUST be played on/before Saturday 8th February
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl 1/4 Final draw
1/Dromore High School/Royal School, Dungannon v Omagh Academy
2/Limavady Grammar School v Portadown College
3/Cambridge House Grammar School v Friends’ School, Lisburn/Belfast High School
4/Grosvenor Grammar School v Ballyclare High School
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl 1/4 Final games MUST be played on/before Saturday 8th February
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy 1/4 Final draw
Round 1 Carrickfergus Grammar School v Foyle and Londonderry College
This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy 1/4 Final Round 1 game MUST take place on/before Saturday 1st February.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy 1/4 Final draw
1/Dromore High School/Royal School, Dungannon v Friends’ School, Lisburn/Belfast High School
2/Bangor Academy v Carrickfergus Grammar School/Foyle and Londonderry College
3/Larne Grammar School v Strabane Academy
4/Antrim Grammar School v Lurgan College
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy 1/4 Final games MUST be played on/before Saturday 8th February.
Earlier in the week, the draws for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield 1/4 Finals, Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate 1/4 Finals, Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl 1/2 Finals and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy 1/2 Finals took place.
The results of these draws are as follows:-
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield 1/4 Final draw
1/Wallace High School v Royal Belfast Academical Institution
2/Sullivan Upper School v Larne Grammar School
3/Methodist College, Belfast v Campbell College, Belfast
4/Down High School/Ballymena Academy v Friends’ School, Lisburn
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield 1/4 Final games MUST be played on/before Saturday 1st February
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate 1/4 Final draw
1/Belfast Royal Academy v Royal School, Dungannon
2/Omagh Academy v Dalriada School
3/Down High School/Ballymena Academy v Ballyclare High School
4/Rainey Endowed School v Antrim Grammar School
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate 1/4 Final games MUST be played on/before Saturday 1st February
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl 1/2 Final draw
1/Bangor Grammar School v Enniskillen Royal Grammar School
2/Royal School, Armagh v Regent House School
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl 1/2 Final games MUST be played on/before Saturday 1st February
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy 1/2 draw
1/Lurgan College v Belfast High School
2/Banbridge Academy v Bangor Academy
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy 1/2 Final games MUST be played on/before Saturday 1st February
At the same time, the draws for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup, Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Trophy were released.
The results of these draws are as follows: –
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup 1/2 draw
1/Ballymena Academy v Campbell College, Belfast
2/Wallace High School v Royal Belfast Academical Institution
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup 1/2 Final games MUST be played on/before Saturday 1st February
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate 1/2 draw.
1/Royal School, Armagh v Friends’ School, Lisburn/Foyle College
2/Ballyclare High School v Coleraine Grammar School
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate 1/2 Final games MUST be played on/before Saturday 1st February
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy 1/2 draw.
1/Portadown College v Royal School, Dungannon
2/Omagh Academy v Dromore High School
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Trophy 1/2 Final games MUST be played on/before Saturday 1st February.
