Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 9th March 2024.
On Monday 4th March the Royal School, Dungannon team travelled to the Meadowbank Stadium in Magherafelt where they played the Ulster U18 Clubs’ team.
The Royal School, Dungannon coaching staff played the first quarter of the game with a team of rugby leavers. The rest of the game, which the Royal School, Dungannon team won by 31-12, the RS Dungannon coaches gave the opportunity to U16 and U17 players to experience the challenges provided by 1stxv rugby.
The Ulster Clubs’ U18 team scored their points through tries from Dylan Fox, Malone RFC, and Oisin McGuinness, Letterkenny RFC.
Fiontan Bradley, Ballymena RFC, was successful with one of his conversion kicks.
John Carroll, scored a first half try for the Royal School, Dungannon team with Matthew Burrows, with a brace, Caleb Burke and James Gibson all touching down for second half tries.
James Gibson was successful with three of his conversion kicks.
Tuesday 5th March saw the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield final take place at the Kingspan Stadium when Royal Belfast Academical Institution, the holders, played Sullivan Upper School.
At the end of this exciting game, it was the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team that emerged as 36-10 winners.
Following the game, Denis Gardiner, President of the Ulster Branch, IRFU, made the presentation of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield to Cian McClean, captain of the winning Royal Belfast Academical Institution team, as well as the finalist medals to the players from both schools.
Both teams, and their coaching staff, were congratulated on reaching the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield, the referee, Henry Richmond, was thanked for his control of the game, and the Danske Bank was thanked for their continuing sponsorship of all the Ulster Schools’ competitions. The parents and guardians of all the players were thanked for the support and encouragement they had given the young players throughout the season.
On Wednesday 6th March Eaton Park, home of Ballymena RFC, was the venue for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl final when Ballyclare High School played Cambridge House Grammar School.
This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl final was played on an excellent pitch and watched by a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters.
The Ballyclare High School team won the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl with a hard-earned 10-7 win.
The Ballyclare High School team scored two unconverted tries through Isaac Shiels.
The Cambridge House Grammar School points came through a try from Paddy Roberts which was converted by Justin Mark.
Following the game, David Napier, representing the Ulster Branch, IRFU, made the presentation of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl to the winning Ballyclare High School captain as well as the finalist medals to the players from both schools.
Both teams, and their coaching staff, were congratulated on reaching the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl, the referee, Graham Gibson, was thanked for his control of the game, Ballymena RFC, through David McAleese, and his groundstaff, was thanked for the use of facilities and hosting the game and the Danske Bank was thanked for their continuing sponsorship of all the Ulster Schools’ competitions. The parents and guardians of all the players were thanked for the support and encouragement they had given the young players throughout the season.
Ballynahinch RFC was the venue for the recent Down High School U12 Festival of Rugby when over 160 young players participated.
Teams from Bangor Grammar School, Banbridge Academy, Down High School, Dromore High School, Friends’ School, Lisburn, Grosvenor Grammar School, Killicomaine Junior High School, Regent House School, Royal School, Armagh. Royal School, Dungannon, Sullivan Upper School and Wallace High School all enjoyed the festival.
The group stage games were formatted with four groups of three teams ensuring every team got two group games. Teams then played in a semi final game with group winners playing in the Shield semis, 2nd placed teams playing in the Bowl semis and 3rd placed teams playing in the Trophy semis.
The final outcomes of the Festival of Rugby saw Wallace High School win the Shield, Banbridge Academy win the Bowl and Down High School win the Trophy.
Thanks are due to the Down High School staff, led by Josh Pentland, for organising this popular Festival of Rugby and to Ballynahinch RFC for the provision of facilities and hosting the games.
Dalriada School was the venue for a five team Regional U13 Tournament when around 110 young players from Coleraine Grammar School, Dalriada School, Foyle and Londonderry College, Limavady Grammar School and Rainey Endowed School took part in a series of 15-a-side 12-minute games.
In the first series of games, Dalriada School started with a win against Limavady Grammar School and Rainey Endowed School prevailed with a brilliant performance against Coleraine Grammar School.
In the Round 2 games, Foyle College beat Dalriada School and Coleraine Grammar School was made to work hard for a win against Limavady Grammar School.
In the third series of games, Rainey Endowed School continued to impress with a win against Limavady Grammar School and Coleraine Grammar School emerged as winners following their game against Foyle College.
In the fourth Round of games, Rainey Endowed School continued their winning ways with a victory against Dalriada School while Foyle College defeated Limavady Grammar School.
The final series of games saw Coleraine Grammar School and Rainey Endowed School recorded wins against Dalriada School and Foyle and Londonderry College respectively.
The Dalriada School U13 Tournament finished with all the players, and their staff, re-fuelling and socialising at a very welcome B-B-Que.
Thanks are due to Bryan Young and Rab Gregg for organising what was a very successful morning of enjoyable U13 Rugby.
