UR-Danske-Bank-Schools'-Cup-Final-Programme2022

FINAL
METHODIST
COLLEGE
v CAMPBELL COLLEGE
THU 17 MAR 2022, 3PM
KINGSPAN STADIUM
1

Contents
President’s
Welcome 3
Danske Bank
Welcome 4
Danske Bank Schools’
Competition Winners 5
Let the
GAMES begin!
President’s
Welcome
Welcome to all the players, supporters,
teachers, and families from both Methody
and Campbell to today’s final.
It’s great to have the final back here at
Kingspan Stadium after a three year gap.
I would like to thank to our sponsors Danske
Bank for their continued backing of all our
schools’ competitions.
Gary Leslie
President, IRFU Ulster Branch
Message from
the Ulster Schools’
Committee 6
Danske Bank
Drive Your Career
Forward 8
Danske Bank
Drive Your Career
Forward 10
Methodist
College Belfast 12
Team
Line-ups 14
Campbell
College Belfast 16
This Should be a
Perfect Day 18
Danske Bank is a trading name of Northern Bank Limited. Registered in Northern Ireland R568. Registered Office:
Donegall Square West, Belfast. BT1 6JS. Northern Bank Limited is a member of the Danske Bank Group. www.danskebank.co.uk.
3

Welcome
from
Danske
Bank
Welcome to the 2021/22 Danske Bank
Ulster Schools’ Cup final.
The Schools’ Cup is undoubtedly one of the
most eagerly awaited events in the local
sporting calendar, with a strong following of
pupils past, present and future from across
the province, and further afield. This year’s
final will see Methodist College Belfast and
Campbell College Belfast go head-to-head
for the prestigious title.
We are incredibly proud to be involved in this
historic competition, which now marks the
seventeenth year of our partnership with the
Ulster Schools’ Cup.
As the biggest bank in Northern Ireland, we
understand our role in society. One part of that
is our commitment to investing in our young
people and helping them thrive through
sport. As well as our partnership with the
Ulster Schools’ Cup, we are proud supporters
of Ulster Schools GAA and the Northern
Ireland Schools’ Football Association.
I know the past number of months and
years have been extremely challenging for
all sportspeople – which makes the exciting
journey to get here all the more meaningful.
Reaching today’s final marks many, many
years of training, dedication and commitment
for the players from Methodist College Belfast
and Campbell College Belfast, and I’d like to
take this opportunity to congratulate you all
for getting to this stage.
Over the years of our partnership, we have
seen how the Schools’ Cup nurtures and
showcases the skills and talent of many
exceptional young players; helping open the
door to a professional career, and in many
cases an international career too.
For the players from Methodist College
Belfast and Campbell College Belfast, this
is the most important match of their school
rugby career. Dedication, skill and sheer
sporting talent has led them to this final, a
defining game which will be the pinnacle of
their young sporting careers.
Both teams have produced incredible
displays of rugby throughout the
tournament, and I would like to take this
opportunity to congratulate them, alongside
their families, teachers and the supporters
who keep them going at each game. I would
also like to acknowledge the dedicated
work of the Ulster Branch, who alongside
the Ulster Schools’ Committee, make this
tournament possible.
On behalf of everyone at Danske Bank, I
wish both teams the very best of luck on this
memorable occasion and look forward to an
exciting final.
Vicky Davies
Chief Executive
Danske Bank UK
Schools’ Competition Winners
Subsidiary Shield
Medallion Bowl
RS Armagh 19-10 RS Dungannon
Banbridge Academy 19-10 Limavady GS
Schools’ Bowl
Medallion Trophy
Rainey Endowed School 42-16 Belfast HS Dromore HS 24-14 Omagh Academy
Schools’ Trophy
Danske Bank U16 Cup
Lurgan College 21-12 Portadown College Ballymena Academy 29-17 Methodist College
Medallion Shield
Campbell College 23-5 Ballymena Academy
Medallion Plate
Sullivan Upper 22-12 Rainey Endowed School
ulster.rugby 5

Message from the
Ulster Schools’ Committee
On behalf of the Schools’ Committee, it
is a great pleasure to welcome everyone
to the Kingspan Stadium this afternoon
for the 2021/2022 Danske Bank Schools’
Cup final between Methodist College and
Campbell College.
This year the terms “return to play”, “restart”
and “reconnect” were some of the most
commonly used words as we start to emerge
from the pandemic which has affected all
of us in so many ways. It is great that we
can gather here today for the Danske Bank
Schools’ Cup final and bring an exciting
season of schools’ 15-a-side competition
rugby to a finish.
At the start of the season, the Schools’
Committee ran a new U16 competition
which saw the 25 teams that entered the
competition play group stages at three
different levels before a final at each tier.
The competition allowed there to be a good
level of competitive rugby for that group
of players who missed out on last year’s
Medallion Shield and was a way of helping
these players transition into senior rugby by
keeping them together for a period of time.
In the latter part of the season the Schools’
Cup, 2nd XV, 3rd XV, Medallion Shield and
their associated competitions were all run as
normal, a total of 16 cups awarded and 217
competition matches played.
Today sees the climax of the season with the
Schools’ Cup final. Methodist College are
seeking their 37th victory whilst Campbell
College are seeking their 25th victory with
the two teams being the most successful
and 3rd most successful teams respectively
in the history of the competition.
Today’s finalists both avoided “seeded”
opposition in the first two rounds they
played. Methodist College were “on the
road” for both rounds as they overcame
Enniskillen Royal GS and Ballyclare HS. In
contrast, Campbell College had two home
draws as they defeated Down HS and
Dromore HS. In the two exciting semi-finals
Methodist College emerged victorious over
RBAI with Campbell College defeating
Wallace HS the following day.
The final today is a repeat of the 2019 final
which was the last final actually played with
Methodist College emerging victorious on
that occasion. As many will be aware the
2020 final was cancelled due to the global
COVID-19 pandemic with RS Armagh and
Wallace HS sharing the trophy. There was
no competition in 2021 which means that
none of the players will carry School’s Cup
Final experience into the match but several
did play in the Inter Provincial championship
last summer. Both of today’s teams have
had an excellent season and I’m sure today’s
match will be a hard fought encounter.
This season represents the 17th successive
year of Dankse Bank’s sponsorship and
we are delighted that their Chief Executive
Vicky Davies and other Danske Bank
representatives are with us today. The
Schools’ Committee and all of our schools
are indebted to the financial support that
Danske Bank provide for the competitions
and also to the Ulster Schools’ representative
team. Supporters of the Senior Ulster team
will be only too aware of the large number of
players who have come though the school
system with some of them starting to make
their mark on the international stage.
I wish to thank the members of the Schools’
Committee for their work over the past
couple of years as they worked through
the various challenges to get rugby up and
running again. Their efforts along with all
the work done in schools by various coaches
has seen a return to the successful season
of schools’ rugby. In particular, I would like
to acknowledge the superb work done by
the various competition organisers, John
Andrews (Ballymena Academy, U16 Cup
and Medallion), Brian Leslie (Banbridge
Academy, 2nd XV Cup) and Ross Hunter
(Omagh Academy, 3rd XV Cup). I also
wish to pay tribute to my predecessor as
Chairman, Stephen Black, for the leadership
he provided the committee for a number
of years and he continues to serve on the
committee as the Principal’s Representative
whilst also serving on a number of other
committees at provincial and national level.
Thanks also to our secretary Raymond
Pattison for his work and efficiency behind
the scenes.
I would like to thank all the Principals, Boards
of Governors and staff in our schools for their
support for the game. I firmly believe that
behind every successful event, there is a very
strong supportive team who ensure that
all the small but very important details are
looked after. We are blessed with a strong
team at the Ulster Branch and our thanks
go to Chris, Paul, Lesley, Jill, Paula B, Paula
P, Shona, Alex and Mark amongst others
who help with the smooth running of the
school game. Everyone involved in schools’
rugby will be aware of the work that our
PRO Barney McGonigle does in providing
media coverage of all school 1st XV and all
competition matches. He also organises
all of the schools’ finals not played at the
Kingspan Stadium or QUB. We are indebted
to him for all his work. Our various finals are
supported by members of the Ulster Branch
Committee who help with the various
presentations. Their interest in supporting
the school game is much appreciated.
The USRFR work hard to provide referees
and their input is fundamental to the playing
of the game and we express our gratitude to
them. Today’s officials are led by the match
referee Stuart Douglas and I wish them all a
controversy free and enjoyable day.
Finally, thanks to all the staff in the Ulster
Academy led by Gavin Hogg who support
the development of school players on
the various pathways and prepare them
for the late summer Inter-Provincials at
various levels.
I hope that today’s match provides an
exciting climax to the season but whatever
the outcome, that all involved enjoy the day.
I would strongly encourage all the players
leaving school this year to continue playing
the game for many years by linking up with a
club or university/college team next year. The
camaraderie and friendships you make will
last long after you have hung up your boots.
RJ Clingan
Chair, Ulster Schools’ Committee
ulster.rugby 7

Drive your
career forward.
Working with us is much more than just having a job – its a career
with an award winning business where you get to grow your skills and
experience and to make a real difference to our customers and society.
We now have more ways than ever to become part of our Danske teams – whether you are starting out
in your career, returning to the workplace after time out, or someone with lots of experience already who
is looking for their next move.
Or perhaps you are leaving school and thinking about studying for a degree
but also keen to get some work experience? Then consider joining one of our
amazing higher level apprentice schemes; IT, Fintech, Sustainability, or Leading
Customer Operations Futures. All of which are a superb way to study and earn
at the same time. We already have over 60 apprentices so you’d be joining
a well established programme with lots of support internally and from our
external university partners.
You probably already know that we are the Number
1 bank in NI, so it won’t be a surprise that often
people join our Customer Direct or Personal
Banking teams – both of which are a fantastic
way to work closely with our customers, have a
structured learning path and progress as rapidly
as you want to. (You might need to dust down your
red carpet outfit though, as our customer contact
centre has a habit of winning awards!)
We do have lots of other career entry points – such as our Technical and Digital Development team who
are at the forefront of digital banking and would love to talk to you if you’re a data scientist, a software
engineer or a robotics developer.
What makes us a special business to be part of?
One of the most important things is that we really listen and respond
to what our colleagues need. We’ve been identified as an Outstanding
Company to work for – based on how our colleagues rate us and how
we compare with other businesses – and we are passionate about
continuing to be an even better place to work in the future. At Danske
Bank everyone belongs and we celebrate and embrace diversity in its
broadest sense. You can feel confident about being yourself at work –
after all everyone else is taken!
“ I joined Danske Bank in
2019 from another Bank and
enjoy coaching our colleagues
to reach their potential and
helping our customers meet
their financial needs across
our digital channels”
Jenny McCutcheon
Team Coach – Customer Direct
“When I applied to the Danske Futures programme in 2019 I was already working in the
Danske Customer Protection Centre. For me, I thought being able to work and study at
the same time would be a really invaluable experience – and it is. I’ve been able to bring
what we’re learning to my real life job and it’s helped me to see things differently and
bring new insights to the table.
The programme has had a really positive impact on my career to date already and I’ve
really developed within my team.”
Do we sound like the type of business you’d want to be part of?
Great! Access our careers page or contact our resourcing team to find out more about the roles
we have. We look forward to hearing from you.
Discover available opportunities:
Visit
Email
Call
www.danskebank.com/careers
recruitmentuk@danskebank.co.uk
028 9004 8500 HR Services, Option 1 for Recruitment
9

Methodist
College Belfast
Played 3
Won 3
Lost 0
Drew 0
Points For 93
Points Against 21
Points Difference 72
Bonus Points 2
MCB Captain Peter O’Hagan
“I’m excited, very excited. Everybody’s
really looking forward to it, just to finally
get to it. I think the semi-final win was
good, a good place to start and a good
building block for moving on to the final,
if we can build on what we did there and
continue the good things, and cut out
the bad things. We came up to watch
Campbell’s semi-final, obviously in poor
conditions, but I think the final will be a
tight game. It’s been good to be able to
come up from the start, and 7/8 years
later finishing Schools’ rugby with the
ultimate goal, hopefully. Everyone needs
to be switched on, and everyone knows
what we need to do. It’s about being
able to step up on the day.”
MCB Head of Rugby Nick Wells
“I’m really looking forward to it. You
never take it for granted, getting back
to Kingspan Stadium with all the school
coming out to support, it’s what we work
for all year and it’s great to get there and
finish the journey on a high. In terms of
our semi-final, I’m probably not overly
happy with the first 15 minutes, wee bit
of miscommunication up front with how
we were dealing with things in our own
22. But the good thing about having
Campbell in the final, we know if we’re
not 100% accurate and ready to go then
we’ll not get the result we want. I feel
excited for the boys and I feel pressure
for the boys. You work with them, you see
them day in and day out, and you want
the very best for them. From my point
of view, it’s nice to be in the final, but
ultimately I want the very best for them.”
“It’s about being
able to step up on
the day”
Head Coach (Director of Rugby): Mr N Wells
Assistant Coach: Mr S Lindsay
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Mr A Willis
Physiotherapist: Mr J Slack
Team Doctor: Mr A Neill
Coach: Mr T Manus
Tunnel Liaison Person: Dr T Crawford
ulster.rugby 11

METHODIST COLLEGE
BELFAST
v
CAMPBELL COLLEGE
BELFAST
Ben McFarlane
15
Lukas Kenny
Chris Bradley
14
Oliver Topping
Final
Appearances
64
Wins 36
Runners-Up 26
Shared Titles 2
Peter O’Hagan (Capt.)
Lorcan Hanratty
Joe Dickson
Ryan Lindsay
13
12
11
10
Matthew Booth
Cal Florence
Peter Caves
Tom Crowther (Capt.)
Final
Appearances
42
Wins 24
Runners-Up 14
Shared Titles 4
David Armstrong
9
Johnny McCracken
Callum White
1
Cameron Hillis
Johnny O’Kane
2
Zac Solomon (Co Capt.)
Finn McAdam
3
Darragh Hanlon
Ryan Kidd
4
Alexander Brennan
Harry Palmer
5
Joe Hopes
Patrick Fullarton Healy
6
Oliver McCauley
Josh Stevens
7
Luke Johnston
Michael Crothers
8
Flynn Longstaff
Replacements
Ben Wilson
Matteo McLaughlin
Harry Pratt
Josh McAdam
Ben Neill
Liam Black
Jacob Kelly
Lewis Doherty
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Chris Massey
Lucas Perez De Leza
Matthew Murphy
Reece Bell
Cameron Faith
Henry Johnston
Matthew Rea
Stuart Johnston
Ref: Stuart Douglas
Assistant Refs: Oisin Quinn, Robert Watson,
Mark Patton, Chris Russell
ulster.rugby 13

Campbell
College
Played 3
Won 3
Lost 0
Drew 0
Points For 94
Points Against 21
Points Difference 73
Bonus Points 3
Captain Tom Crowther
“The final, a day you look forward to for
a very, very long time. To live something
I’ve been dreaming about for 11 years, it’s
something that’s really special for me and
the team. There’s a couple of guys in our
team who’ve been playing together since
we were in Primary 3, so to be able to get
out there with your best mates is really
special, and it’s what’s really special about
the Schools’ Cup. I’m very familiar with
the Methody team, I know a lot of them
through Ulster, and just playing against them
over the years. They’re a quality team and
always are so physical, so they’ll be very
challenging, but hopefully we can rise to it.
I think both teams are very evenly matched
with lots of quality players from 1-15. On the
day I think whoever manages the occasion
better and stays calm under the pressure
will come out on top.”
CCB Head of Rugby Johnny Cupitt
“It’s been a good lead into the final. We’ll
have a couple of sessions to fine-tune a
few things, and everyone’s looking forward
to it. We’ve gone through the video of the
semi-final win. It’s very different watching the
game pitchside, and then going watching it
back. We were happy with how we coped
with things in the first half, but due to the
conditions we had to adapt our game.
Methody are a good side, they’re always a
strong side, always well-drilled and Nick Wells
does a great job there. Over the years we’ve
had a lot of big games with them and they’ve
gone both ways. We always back ourselves –
and I’m sure they would, but we look forward
to taking them on. On the day of the final, it’s
about composure and coping with the big
Co-Captain Zac Soloman
I’m so proud of how have performed
throughout the Cup. We’ve worked
incredibly hard to get to the final and
I’m so impressed with how resilient and
determined the team have been. I couldn’t
forget the amazing support from our
family, friends, and the Black Brigade. Their
encouragement has been a major driver for
us for us, and I couldn’t thank them enough.
Every time we step foot on the pitch, we
not only want to represent the College to
the best of our ability, but also represent
the investment that our coaches have
made in us. Being able to play in the final at
Kingspan is a true honour, and I’m so proud
to represent Campbell College with my
teammates.
Head of Rugby: Johnny Cupitt
1st XV Coaches: Neil Doak, John Creighton
Pitch side: Ritchie McMaster,
James McKinney, Jason Patton
Physio: Jason Patton
S&C: Ron Fullerton, Matt McKelvey
moments. You need big players for those big
ulster.rugby moments, and both teams have them.”
15

Route to
the Final
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup
Round 1
Larne 14-20 Carrickfergus
Round 2
Belfast High School 27-14 Portadown College
Dalriada School 15-0 Cambridge House
Banbridge Academy 15-5 Friends’ School Lisburn
Limavady Grammar School 17-0 Lurgan College
Regent House 24-3 Carrickfergus Grammar School
Strabane Academy 5-43 Grosvenor
Round 4
Foyle College 3-10 Sullivan Upper
Ballymena Academy 19-14 Coleraine Grammar
Dromore High School 28-5 Regent House
Wallace High School 27-7 Royal School Dungannon
Ballyclare High School 8-7 Royal School Armagh
Enniskillen Royal Grammar 0-31 Methodist College
Campbell College 40-7 Down High School
RBAI 38-15 Omagh Academy
MCB Scorers
Tries: Callum White, Josh McAdam, Josh Stevens, Joe Dickson, Ben McFarlane
Cons: Ben McFarlane x3
CCB Scorers
Tries: Penalty Try, Cameron Hillis, Zac Soloman, Oliver McAuley, Matthew Rae,
Lukas Kenny, Reece Bell | Pens: Oliver Topping
Quarter-Finals
Campbell College 26-8 Dromore High School
Sullivan Upper 13-38 RBAI
Wallace High School 12-7 Ballymena Academy
Ballyclare High School 6-21 Methodist College
MCB Scorers
Tries: Lorcan Hanratty, Chris Bradley | Cons: Ben McFarlane
Pens: Ben McFarlane x3
CCB Scorers
Tries: Zac Soloman, Peter Caves, Darrah Hanlon x2
Cons: Peter Caves x3
Round 3
Foyle College 16-14 Belfast High School
Royal School Armagh 18-0 Belfast Royal Academy
Grosvenor Grammar School 12-41 Omagh Academy
Limavady Grammar School 10-24 Coleraine Grammar School
Dalriada School 13-15 Enniskillen Royal Grammar School
Rainey Endowed School 10-24 Down High School
Dromore High School 24-0 Banbridge Academy
Regent House 15-12 Bangor Grammar School
Semi-Finals
Methodist College 43-15 RBAI
Campbell College 28-6 Wallace high School
MCB Scorers
Tries: Joe Dickson x2, Ryan Kidd, Josh Stevens, Lorcan Hanratty, Liam Black
Cons: Ben McFarlane x5 | Pens: Ben McFarlane
CCB Scorers
Tries: Matthew Booth, Henry Johnson, Zac Solomon, Oliver Topping
Cons: Peter Caves x4
ulster.rugby 17

This Should be a Perfect Day!
Ulster Schools’ Cup Finals are always
special, they are part of the sporting DNA
of St Patrick’s Day across the country.
But it is a ritual which the rugby community
has been unable to repeat since 2019,
the ravages and concerns of a dreadful
pandemic throwing so many work, social,
sporting and family calendars into lengthy
disarray.
For the players of Armagh Royal and
Wallace High the postponement, then
cancellation, of their scheduled decider in
2019 was a cruel, early casualty of Covid.
Be sure that in schools’ rugby the great
dream remains for every rugby player: to
appear on the famous Ravenhill sward on
St Patrick’s Day.
For most, of course, the dream doesn’t
become reality, but from the late summer
of every year, through the chill and damp
of January and February, until early Spring
the gruelling training, the many testing
friendlies, have but just one destination in
mind: the Final.
But for those who do make it to the
Guest article:
Rod Nawn
decider it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Adoring hordes from every form pack
the ground, extended family with little
previous links to the game come to share
an unique occasion, not one which ever
loses its lustre.
Off the field old friendships are
renewed, memories of schooldays rugby
remembered with a lightness of spirit
which only helps to embellish further an
atmosphere of excitement and anticipation
in and around Kingspan Stadium.
There’ll be reunions of teams from other
eras, those of ten, twenty and – in the case
of the Campbell College side of 1969 – 53
years ago! Messrs Moss, McClure, Megaw,
Reid et al made much-enjoyed impacts on
the sport but there was no professional
pathway in mind, just the quest for glory.
Narrow defeat to a Bangor Grammar side
lifting that cherished shield for the first
time felt heart breaking at the time, but
there is laughter in that Campbell group
this afternoon – and renewed hopes of the
current team offering vicarious solace for
defeat in ’69!
No regrets about that, successful careers
were pursued alongside the amateur club
game, and if a few Ulster calls were eagerly
answered they were bonded forever by
a love of the game and an admirable,
enduring affection for the school and the
friendships firmly made.
And that mood, those instincts, are
mirrored in every school which has its day
of banner-waving and raucous support at
Kingspan Stadium! It’s a party for everyone,
even those playing, certainly for those who
urge them on. Of whatever vintage.
School favours will be proudly displayed,
colourful banners waved with an energy
the classroom rarely inspires, and friends,
family and local communities will share an
afternoon quite like no other.
The second oldest rugby competition
in the sport’s history has a resilience
which was forged in the less comfortable
environment of the 19th Century. There
is an admirable, almost magical quality
in the enduring value of schools’ rugby
which has retained a particular, singular
allure through the traumas of World Wars,
contagion and even the advent of the
professional game.
Indeed, that sea-change in the sport now
offers some of today’s participants further
opportunities to extend their rugby careers
into mature, paid adulthood!
For example, British and Irish Lion Jeremy
Davidson is a graduate of Methodist
College, a fine playing career now evolving
into coaching at the highest level in France.
Craig Gilroy has played over 200 times for
Ulster and is an Irish international winger
who, like Davidson, caught the eye in the
Schools’ Cup competition.
Over at Campbell College the pedigree is
no less impressive. Mike Gibson learned
the skills which made him the genius he
was on the pitch on Fox’s Field, and more
recently current Ulster prop Tom O’Toole
was a pillar of the front row at school.
But that is a by-product, however lucrative,
for just a few as most on show today have
academic targets and other working lives
already planned or targeted. What is true,
though, is that the Danske Bank Ulster
Schools’ Cup is a wonderful development
programme for the game itself and for
young men who learn about more than
just rugby.
The importance of collaborative work, the
practical and emotional sense of team,
the trust in others – the essence of what
coaches Johnny Cupitt at Campbell and
ulster.rugby 19

Nicky Wells at Methody will have worked
on with their squads.
Their approach, and that of their assistants,
is thoroughly professional in term of
attention to detail and in the maximising
the potential of the young players in
their charge. Each of them is a diligent,
demanding coach but they judge success
by several measures, and lifting silverware
is far down that list.
To help mould and improve quality rugby
players and individuals with good, strong
personalities which will serve them
through life. Bringing that famous Shield
to tomorrow morning’s Assembly would
be a memorable, satisfying bonus, but
good coaches like Cupitt and Wells seek
less transient rewards.
It was in 2019 that the Danske Bank
Schools’ Cup Final was last played in front
of the usual happily partisan crowd in the
seats and on the terraces of Kingspan
Stadium.
On that St Patrick’s Day, coincidentally
and ironically, the teams contesting the
trophy were Methody and Campbell, and
some who appeared in that game have
impressively survived the three-year hiatus
to line out again. That again is special.
Centre Peter O’Hagan leads the Methody
team today, while Campbell have joint
captains in out-half Tm Crowther and
hooker Zac Solomon. The sides have come
through three rounds to reach the Final,
Methody winning at Enniskillen Royal and
Ballyclare High, then in the semi-final at
Kingspan against serial challengers RBAI.
Campbell had home advantage for the
match with Down High, and in the quarterfinal
for the visit of Dromore, while Wallace
High School stretched the East Belfast
team in a semi-final played in high winds
and treacherous conditions underfoot.
Methody scored 13 tries en route to
Kingspan Stadium today, Campbell crossed
the line 16 times, so there’s firepower
aplenty behind each of two highly mobile
and effective forward units.
All bodes well for an entertaining afternoon
for the rugby cognoscenti and the more
infrequent but interested visitors to a
special part of St Patrick’s Day.
While some may yearn for ‘the good old
days’ of an ‘open’ Schools’ Cup draw it
has to be admitted that new formats for
the senior, subsidiary and age-group
competitions, introduced and adapted
in the last 20 years, have identified
the ‘brightest and the best’ earlier and
monitored progress more efficiently and –
dare we say – professionally?
We all hope we are in for a vintage Final,
one to decorate a 2022 Danske Schools’
Cup which has arguably provided some
of the best rugby for several seasons,
but which – most significantly – is being
decided again on St Patrick’s Day after the
health crisis which saw the ‘normal’, the
expected and these special days wiped
from our diaries.
We are all back, normal service has
been resumed.
Given the void since 2019 for the players of
Methodist College and Campbell College
this is a day to particularly cherish, for
families and supporters one to take pride
of place in the memory bank and a host of
albums. And given recent history never to
be blithely taken for granted.
The route to the showpiece may have
changed over the years but playing
standards and ever-improving coaching
skills are palpably growing, and the
breadth of school rugby’s development
and depth increases apace.
It’s a good day out, it’s a day to enjoy and
celebrate, so do so with relish.
But at its heart is an extremely competitive,
passionate rugby match between very
familiar rivals.
Welcome back, and a Happy St Patrick’s
Day all!
ulster.rugby 21

COVID-19
Reduce the Risk
Wear Face
Covering
when indoors
Wash Hands
Regularly
and cover coughs
and sneezes
Be Distance
Aware
and respectful of
other supporters
Respect Policy
METHODIST
COLLEGE
CAMPBELL
COLLEGE
GENERAL
PUBLIC
We are passionate
in our support
We are silent during kicks
at goal
We respect the match
officials’ decisions
We drink
responsibly
Turnstiles will be open from 1.30pm.
Turnstiles at both Mount Merrion and Onslow Parade will be open.
Parking is not available within or around the stadium.
INCIDENT HOTLINE
Food trucks and light refreshments will be available.
We do not tolerate
abusive or discriminatory
language
We respect opposition
players, management
& supporters
We are mindful
of our language
07790
200 200
The Kukri Store will be open.
Public Bars will be not be in operation for any schools fixtures.
ulster.rugby 23

Thank You!
Ulster Rugby wish to thank all of our sponsors
and partners for their continued support.
Main Sponsor
OFFICIAL
APP
Kit Sponsor
Official On-kit Sponsors
Official Sponsors
Domestic Sponsors
Official Partners
ulster.rugby 25

PCOMING HOME FIXTURES
PCOMING HOME FIXTURES
PCOMING HOME FIXTURES
UPCOMING HOME FIXTUR
UPCOMING HOME FIXTUR
UPCOMING HOME FIXTUR
TOULOUSE
SAT 16 APR, 8PM
MUNSTER
FRI 22 APR, 7.35PM
ulster.rugby
ulster.rugby/buytickets