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Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Quarter Final Previews Saturday 17th February 2018
There are four Danske Bank Danske Bank Ulster Schools ‘Cup Quarter-Final games scheduled for Saturday 17th February 2018.
The Methodist College, Belfast team seems to be coming good at just the right time of the season. Having been beaten finalists in the 2017 Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup the current squad of players would love to put that record straight with regard to the 2018 Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. They travelled to Coleraine Grammar School in the previous round and came through, with flying colours, what might have been a tricky encounter against a very confident Coleraine Grammar School team. They now prepare to take on a Bangor Grammar School team that lacks nothing in terms of confidence and ability. The Methodist College team is coached by the experienced duo of Nicky Wells and Stephen Lindsay. Team captain, Matthew Neill, has seen his team win the majority of their games this season. Matthew led his players with great distinction against Coleraine Grammar School in their 4th Round Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup encounter. The team has recorded some impressive victories including a win against the Portugal U19 team earlier in the season. Conor Kelly is the top try scorer for the Methodist College team this season while Ethan McIlroy has recorded most points. Ben Crangle, Kevin McNaboe, Thomas Armstrong, Robbie Armstrong, Chris Larmour, and Ethan McIlroy were all involved with the successful Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 squad earlier in the season. Samuel Bernard is another of the Methody players the Bangor Grammar School defence will need to monitor closely in the course of this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ quarter-final game. The team is composed of mostly Year 13 players but there is a feeling in the Methody camp that this squad would be seen as a much more traditional Methodist College cup team. The Bangor Grammar School team will enter this contest with a very positive frame of mind having played a couple of Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup games this season. The Methodist College team will need to get a good start to this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-final game.
The Bangor Grammar School team contains a lot of talented players in their ranks. Coached by Jason Morgan, the Bangor Grammar School team is captained by Zach Kerr. Zach was involved with the Ulster U19 team during their Inter-Provincial series of games earlier in the season. Alongside Zach, in a very talented Bangor Grammar School back line, is Aaron Sexton. Aaron played with an Ireland U18 squad last season and is in line for Ireland Schools’ U18 honours this season. He played a leading role in the success of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 team during their Inter-Provincial series earlier in the season. Whilst Aaron has gained most of his representative rugby honours as a winger he has also featured in the centre for the Bangor Grammar School team and has played at outhalf in the course of the current Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign in the games against Omagh Academy. Aaron is also a Commonwealth Youth Games Gold Medal sprint champion and he will need to be monitored closely by the Methodist College defence. Both Zach and Aaron are the leading try scorers for the Bangor Grammar School team this season and both featured strongly in the recent Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup games against Omagh Academy. Interestingly, both Zach’s father, Chris, and Aaron’s father Roger, played in the last Bangor Grammar School team to have won the Ulster Schools’ Cup back in 1988. How the sons would love to emulate the success of the fathers thirty years on!! Ben McCrossan was involved with the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 team earlier in the season while Gareth Bell and Riley Westwood have been involved with U17 Ulster Schools’ Development squads. Daniel Young is a very effective full back who is also a very fine place kicker. This Bangor Grammar School team feels this could be their year and will be going all-out to continue with the good start they have made to their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign.
This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-final game is scheduled to kick off at 10-30am.
Campbell College, Belfast will host Ballymena Academy in the quarter-final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. Having home advantage the Campbell College team will see themselves as favourites to win this intriguing encounter. The Campbell College team has enjoyed a fair amount of success this season and, as ever, they will be aiming to continue their recent strong performances in the course of their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign. They were impressive with their display of attacking rugby in the course of their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round game against a very talented Dalriada School team. The Campbell College team is coached by Neal Doak who has done a great job in developing the skills of all the players with whom he comes in contact. Neal is fortunate to have the experience of Brian Robinson and the youthful exuberance of Jonny Cupitt to assist him as he prepares this talented Campbell College squad for the undoubted challenges that lie ahead. The Campbell College team is captained by John McKee who captained the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 team to Inter-Provincial success back in September. John displayed great leadership skills during that campaign and he will be hoping to do so once again when he leads his team into this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-final game. John has some very talented players in the Campbell College squad. Oisin Kiernan and Jamie Maccartney were ever present with the Ulster U19 team earlier in the season. Alongside John McKee, Ben Power featured with the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 team as did Jack Stinson. As well as that the talents of players such as Oscar Yandell, Harry Owens, John Harrison and Rex Tinsley have been recognised by the Ulster Rugby Talent ID Department. However, the Campbell College top points scorer is their very talented outhalf, Conor Rankin. Conor has displayed great game management skills this season and is one of the best place kickers playing in Ulster Schools’ rugby at the minute. Ballymena Academy will need to be disciplined as any indiscretions inside their half will be severely punished by Conor. Jamie Maccartney is the leading try scorer for the Campbell College team this season but Conor has not been far behind. In all likelihood this will be a very closely contested game as the Ballymena Academy team has had a very successful season to date in the course of the games they have played.
The Ballymena Academy team has experienced some difficulties in getting games played in recent weeks. The prevailing weather conditions and teams withdrawing from scheduled games might have hampered the preparation of this talented squad of Ballymena Academy players for their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign. However, they overcame successfully the not insignificant challenge provided by Enniskillen Royal Grammar School in the previous round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. They travelled to that game and are on the road once again for their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-final game at Campbell College. The Ballymena Academy team is coached by the evergreen John Andrews who continues to receive advice, assistance and guidance from Gavin Murray. These members of the Ballymena Academy coaching staff can call upon the expertise of Ryan Keating and Nikki Andrews to look after the S&C aspects of work with the players. The team is captained by Joshua McAuley who was a member of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 Inter Provincial Championship winning team. Joshua has led his team with distinction this season and he would be delighted to lead the Ballymena Academy team out at the Kingspan Stadium at some stage of their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign. Joshua has a group of some very experienced players around him. Ben Savage, Oisin Jordan, Bruce Houston and Stewart Moore have been involved with the Ulster U19 squad while Bruce and Stewart were involved with the Ireland U19 Camp back in November. Stewart is the top try scorer for the Ballymena Academy team with Bruce weighing in as top points scorer. They form part of a very talented Ballymena Academy midfield trio which has benefitted greatly from the astute coaching of Gavin Murray. His recently introduced “haircut” plays with Bruce and Stewart proved so effective in the previous round. Many observers would see Bruce and Stewart as being players with a big future ahead of them and their performances in this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-final game will be watched with interest.
This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-final game is scheduled to kick off at 10-30am.
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution team played one of the “Top Eight” seeded teams from Ballyclare High School in the 4th Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup and had to work very hard before eventually winning that game. The Royal Belfast Academical Institution team are the current holders of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup and have held the cup for the past three seasons. They are determined to make if “Four in a Row” come March 19th!! Team coach, Dan Soper, who continues to receive assistance from Richard Hedley with coaching responsibilities, can call upon the expertise of Gavin Noble as Physiotherapist, Mike Bentley who looks after the S&C aspects of team preparation and Andrew Douglas in the vitally important role as Team Manager. The Royal Belfast Academical Institution team captain is David McCann who has the experienced Niall Armstrong to assist him as Vice- Captain. The team has been undefeated so far this season against teams from schools in Ulster. David McCann and Angus Adair were vital members of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 team and both have attended Ireland Schools’ U18 Camps. Robin McIlveen was also involved with the U18 Schools’ team and, but for injury, would have attended the Ireland Schools’ Camps. The return to play of Robin has been a major boost to the Belfast Inst squad as his performance against Ballyclare High School in the previous Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup would suggest. Niall Armstrong and David Lyttle, both of whom were involved with the Ulster U19 team, have two Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Winners medals already. They would both be very keen to ensure they secure their third medals come March. These two players will be among a number of players the Ulster Rugby Talent ID Department will be watching closely as the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup progresses. A successful tour to New Zealand last summer, as well as a post -Christmas training camp, would appear to have set the current squad Belfast Inst squad up for a more than realistic challenge for Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup honours this season. The Royal Belfast Academical Institution players and staff will leave nothing to chance as they prepare for this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-final game.
Sullivan Upper School travelled to play Belfast Royal Academy in the 3rd Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. They had to work hard before coming away with a close win in that game. They were delighted to be at home in the 4th Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup against Down High School but realised they would have to improve their game if they were to overcome the not insignificant challenge that Down High School provided in that game. They did put on an improved performance against Down High School and will now need to raise the bar much higher as they prepare to travel to play the very well-organised Royal Belfast Academical Institution team. The Sullivan Upper School team, coached by Adam Craig, who is assisted by David Armstrong and Chris Henderson, enjoyed a successful pre-season tour to South Africa. They returned from that tour and had a great start to their season. Unfortunate injuries somewhat hampered their progress but the recent return to play of a number of major players was a major boost as their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign got underway at Belfast Royal Academy. Adam McKenna captains the Sullivan Upper team from the openside flanker position. He, alongside Tim Nart and Shay Storey, leads the Sullivan Upper try scoring statistics this season. Conor McKee, a lively scrum half, is the leading points scorer and he enjoys a deserved reputation as an excellent place kicker. This fact has been proven in the course of their two Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup games this season. Steven Moore featured on the Ulster U19 team in the course of the U19 Inter-Provincial series. He was joined in the extended Ulster U19 squad by Andrew Weir and Andrew McConnell. Thomas Leitch and George Robb have been involved with Ulster Schools’ U16 Regional Development squads while Conor McKee, Luke McCabe and Harry Baird have been involved with the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U17 squad. George Saunderson was a valued member of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 squad and he is working hard to regain full fitness following a period of rehabilitation. The Sullivan Upper School squad members all attended a training camp over the Christmas holiday period. They returned from that camp highly motivated for a successful outcome to their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign which has started so well with victories against Belfast Royal Academy and Down High School. Everyone associated with the Sullivan Upper team will be hoping this high degree of motivation will get them through this most difficult Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-final encounter against the current holders of the cup.
This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-final game is scheduled to kick off at 10-45am.
The Wallace High School team has had an encouraging build up to this, their second game, in their current Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign. They were justified in seeing themselves as favourites to win their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round encounter at Royal School, Dungannon. Despite an early setback the Wallace High School team went on to record a comfortable victory by the end of that game. However, the Wallace High School coach, Derek Suffern, who is assisted by Ian Latham, will instil into his players there are no easy games at this stage of the competition and especially against a team like Royal School, Armagh. The Wallace High School captain, Sam Cardosi, leads his team by example. He has been among the leading try scorers for his team this season. Nathan Doak was a key member of the successful Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 squad and he was joined in that squad by Joel Dundas. Nathan has scored quite a few tries this season but it is his success with his kicks that has seen him rise to the top as the leading points scorer for the Wallace High School team this season. His kicking performance against Royal School, Dungannon in the previous round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup was faultless. Peter McRoberts, Jack Dillon, another regular try scorer for the Wallace High School team, Ben Carson and Reuben Crothers are other Wallace High School players who have been involved with Ulster Schools’ Age Grade squads. Jamie Peters, Jack Bailie and Jack Brown are other Wallace High School players the Royal School, Armagh defence will have to monitor closely in the course of this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-final game.
The Royal School, Armagh team has experienced a very successful season in terms of some very positive results gained in the lead up to the start of their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign. They added to their reputation with a fine victory against Cambridge House Grammar School in the previous round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. The Royal School, Armagh team is coached by Willie Faloon and Chris Parker who are assisted by James McCall. If any sage wisdom or advice is required from a more experienced source then the grandfatherly figure of Kenny Hooks is never far away to assist in whatever way he can. Chris Parker will especially look forward to this game as it sees him return to his Alma Mater where he will be hoping to cause an upset! The team is captained by Jack Treanor who has led by example throughout the season. Jack, alongside the experienced Nicholas Jennings and Zac Thompson, is one of the leading try scorers on the RS Armagh team. Zac is also the top points scorer who has had an outstanding season with his trusty boot. Matthew Reaney, as well as being a vital cog in the RS Armagh team, is Head Boy in the school. This Armagh team is a very competent team who play the game in a very positive way. They have scored a lot of tries in their games this season and added to that number in the course of their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round game against Cambridge House Grammar School. Ryan O’Neill and Nicholas Jennings were members of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 Inter-Provincial winning team earlier in the season. Jonny Agnew, Jude Roberts and Charlie Worth are involved with the U17 Schools’ Development group while Josh King has been involved at U16 Ulster level. Charlie Worth and Benji Boyd have become established as a very positive half back pairing and the Wallace High School defence will need to monitor all these players closely. Their half back encounter against the Wallace High School half backs, where Nathan Doak featured at outhalf in the previous round, could be key to the eventual outcome of this game. There is the possibility of the Royal School, Armagh squad having three sets of brothers in their match day 23. Samuel and Josh King, Daniel and Jayson Denley and Callum and Chris Whiteside will all be hoping to be selected for this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-final game.
This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-final game is scheduled to kick off at 10-30am.
