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Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Cup Final Programme 2023

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FINAL<br />

CAMPBELL<br />

COLLEGE<br />

v RBAI<br />

FRI 17 MAR <strong>2023</strong>, 3PM<br />

KINGSPAN STADIUM


Proud to put<br />

our name to<br />

the game<br />

CAMPBELL COLLEGE<br />

V<br />

RBAI<br />

President’s<br />

Welcome<br />

Welcome to all the players, supporters,<br />

teachers, and families from both Campbell<br />

College and RBAI for today’s <strong>Danske</strong> <strong>Bank</strong><br />

<strong>Ulster</strong> Schools’ <strong>Cup</strong> <strong>Final</strong>.<br />

Today marks the biggest day in the schools’<br />

rugby calendar, as these two great sides<br />

compete in the final of world’s second-oldest<br />

rugby competition in front of another big<br />

crowd at Kingspan Stadium.<br />

We hope to see a clash of two evenly-matched<br />

schools who have both worked hard to reach<br />

this season’s showpiece event, and I would like<br />

to wish all the players involved the best of luck<br />

for the game, and their rugby careers going<br />

forward.<br />

I would also like to thank our sponsors <strong>Danske</strong><br />

<strong>Bank</strong> for their continued support for all of our<br />

Schools’ Rugby competitions.<br />

Philip Gregg<br />

President, IRFU <strong>Ulster</strong> Branch<br />

Contents<br />

President’s<br />

Welcome 3<br />

<strong>Danske</strong> <strong>Bank</strong><br />

Welcome 4<br />

<strong>Danske</strong> <strong>Bank</strong> Schools’<br />

Competition Winners 5<br />

Message from<br />

the <strong>Ulster</strong> Schools’<br />

Committee 6<br />

Campbell<br />

College Belfast 8<br />

Team<br />

Line-ups 10<br />

Royal Belfast<br />

Academical Institution 12<br />

Route to the <strong>Final</strong> 14<br />

Stadium Map 17<br />

<strong>Danske</strong> <strong>Bank</strong> is a trading name of Northern <strong>Bank</strong> Limited. Registered in Northern Ireland R568. Registered Office: Donegall<br />

Square West, Belfast. BT1 6JS. Northern <strong>Bank</strong> Limited is a member of the <strong>Danske</strong> <strong>Bank</strong> Group.danskebank.co.uk. COM05101<br />

3


Welcome<br />

from<br />

<strong>Danske</strong> <strong>Bank</strong><br />

Welcome to the 2022/23 <strong>Danske</strong> <strong>Bank</strong> <strong>Ulster</strong><br />

Schools’ <strong>Cup</strong> final.<br />

The Schools’ <strong>Cup</strong> final is undoubtedly one of<br />

the most eagerly-awaited events in the local<br />

sporting calendar, with a strong following of<br />

pupils past, present and future from across<br />

Northern Ireland, and further afield. This year’s<br />

final will see Campbell College and RBAI go<br />

head to head for the prestigious title.<br />

As the biggest bank in Northern Ireland, we are<br />

committed to investing in our young people<br />

and helping them thrive through sport. We are<br />

incredibly proud to be involved in this historic<br />

competition, which now marks the 18th year of<br />

our partnership with the <strong>Ulster</strong> Schools’ <strong>Cup</strong>.<br />

It is a privilege to be here today at Kingspan<br />

Stadium on St Patrick’s Day for what is sure<br />

to be a fantastic occasion. With an exciting<br />

new format this season, it has been great to<br />

watch as the competition grows in popularity,<br />

offering more high-quality schools rugby than<br />

ever before.<br />

This afternoon’s final is the showpiece in the<br />

annual schools rugby calendar – and if the<br />

semi-finals are anything to go by, we’re in for a<br />

treat today. Campbell College played superbly<br />

to see off defending champions Methodist<br />

College, reaching their fourth final in seven<br />

seasons. For RBAI, it was a thrilling comeback<br />

to see off Wallace High School and earn their<br />

shot at winning their first Schools’ <strong>Cup</strong> title<br />

since 2017.<br />

Dedication, skill and sheer sporting talent<br />

has led the players to the final, a defining<br />

game which will be the pinnacle of their<br />

young sporting careers. Over the years of our<br />

partnership, we have seen how the Schools’<br />

<strong>Cup</strong> nurtures and showcases the skills and<br />

talent of many exceptional young players;<br />

helping to open the door to a professional<br />

career, and in many cases an international<br />

career.<br />

Campbell College and RBAI deserve<br />

enormous credit for progressing to the final<br />

– both teams have produced superb displays<br />

of rugby throughout the tournament. I would<br />

like to take this opportunity to congratulate<br />

them, alongside their families, teachers and<br />

the fans who keep supporting them to reach<br />

new heights. I would also like to acknowledge<br />

the dedicated work of the <strong>Ulster</strong> Branch, who<br />

alongside the <strong>Ulster</strong> Schools’ <strong>Cup</strong> Committee,<br />

make this tournament possible.<br />

On behalf of everyone at <strong>Danske</strong> <strong>Bank</strong>, I wish<br />

both teams the very best of luck, and look<br />

forward to an exciting final.<br />

Vicky Davies<br />

Chief Executive, <strong>Danske</strong> <strong>Bank</strong> UK<br />

Schools’ Competition Winners <strong>2023</strong><br />

Subsidiary Shield<br />

RS Armagh 43-19 Down HS<br />

Schools’ Bowl<br />

Banbridge Academy 31-15 Friends’ School<br />

Schools’ Trophy<br />

Portadown College 32-14 Cambridge House<br />

2nd XV <strong>Cup</strong><br />

Methodist College 21-17 Campbell College<br />

2nd XV Plate<br />

RS Armagh 14-12 BRA at Friends’ School<br />

2nd XV Trophy<br />

Rainey ES 33-7 Foyle College<br />

3rd XV <strong>Cup</strong><br />

RBAI 26-14 Campbell College<br />

3rd XV Plate<br />

Wallace HS 11-0 BRA<br />

Medallion Shield<br />

Ballymena Academy 7-10 RBAI<br />

Medallion Plate<br />

RS Dungannon 5-22 Methodist College<br />

Medallion Bowl<br />

Coleraine GS 52-12 Antrim GS<br />

Medallion Trophy<br />

Banbridge Academy 12-12 Enniskillen Royal GS<br />

U16 <strong>Cup</strong> <strong>Final</strong><br />

Wallace HS 12-0 Campbell College<br />

U16 Plate<br />

Rainey ES (Group Winners)<br />

ulster.rugby 5


On behalf of the Schools’ Committee, it is a<br />

great pleasure to welcome everyone to the<br />

Kingspan Stadium this afternoon for the<br />

2022/<strong>2023</strong> <strong>Danske</strong> <strong>Bank</strong> Schools’ <strong>Cup</strong> final<br />

between Campbell College and RBAI.<br />

Today sees the climax of the season with<br />

the Schools’ <strong>Cup</strong> final. Over the course<br />

of the season there were over 270 1st XV<br />

matches played seeing in excess of 10,000<br />

points scored with approximately 25% of the<br />

games being in competition. Today’s teams<br />

are the 2nd and 3rd most successful teams<br />

with Campbell College seeking their 25th<br />

victory and RBAI seeking their 33rd Victory.<br />

Campbell College will be looking to avenge<br />

defeat in their two previous finals having<br />

last won the competition in 2018 whilst it<br />

is RBAIs first appearance in the final since<br />

their victory in 2017 which was the last of a<br />

“three-in-a row”.<br />

Campbell College have reached today’s final<br />

with two wins “on the road” as they overcame<br />

seeded opposition in Ballymena Academy<br />

Welcome<br />

from<br />

<strong>Ulster</strong><br />

Schools’<br />

Committee<br />

and Sullivan Upper in the last 16 and quarter<br />

finals respectively. In contrast, RBAI’s played<br />

two unseeded teams, away at Enniskillen<br />

Royal GS and at home against Dromore<br />

HS. In two exciting semi-finals Campbell<br />

College emerged victorious over Methodist<br />

College with RBAI defeating Wallace HS the<br />

following day. Both of today’s teams have<br />

had strong performances this season and<br />

I’m sure today’s match will be a hard fought<br />

encounter.<br />

This season represents the 18th successive<br />

year of Dankse <strong>Bank</strong>’s sponsorship and<br />

we are delighted that their Chief Executive<br />

Vicky Davies and other <strong>Danske</strong> <strong>Bank</strong><br />

representatives are with us today. The<br />

Schools’ Committee and all of our schools<br />

are indebted to the financial support that<br />

<strong>Danske</strong> <strong>Bank</strong> provide for the competitions<br />

and also to the <strong>Ulster</strong> Schools’ representative<br />

team. Supporters of the Senior <strong>Ulster</strong> team<br />

will be only too aware of the large number of<br />

players who have come though the school<br />

system with some of them starting to make<br />

their mark on the international stage.<br />

I wish to thank the members of the Schools’<br />

Committee for their work over the past<br />

couple of years as they worked through<br />

the various challenges to get rugby up and<br />

running again. Their efforts along with all<br />

the work done in schools by various coaches<br />

has seen a return to the successful season of<br />

schools’ rugby. In particular, I would like to<br />

acknowledge the superb work done by the<br />

various competition organisers, Brian Leslie<br />

(Banbridge Academy, 2nd XV <strong>Cup</strong>), Ross<br />

Hunter (Omagh Academy, 3rd XV <strong>Cup</strong>) and<br />

Gareth Bronte (Medallion). Thanks also to<br />

our secretary Raymond Pattison for his work<br />

and efficiency behind the scenes.<br />

Everyone involved in schools’ rugby will<br />

be aware of the work that our PRO Barney<br />

McGonigle does in providing media coverage<br />

of all school 1st XV and all competition<br />

matches. He also organises all of the schools’<br />

finals not played at the Kingspan Stadium<br />

or QUB. We are indebted to him for all his<br />

work. Our various finals are supported by<br />

members of the <strong>Ulster</strong> Branch Committee<br />

who help with the various presentations.<br />

Their interest in supporting the school game<br />

is much appreciated.<br />

I would like to thank all the Principals, Boards<br />

of Governors and staff in our schools for<br />

their support for the game. Thanks also to<br />

the team of staff at the <strong>Ulster</strong> Branch led by<br />

Chris Webster who help with the smooth<br />

running of the school game.<br />

The USRFR work hard to provide referees<br />

and their input is fundamental to the playing<br />

of the game and we express our gratitude to<br />

them. Today’s officials are led by the match<br />

referee Henry Richmond and I wish them all<br />

a controversy free and enjoyable day.<br />

<strong>Final</strong>ly, thanks to the <strong>Ulster</strong> Academy’s<br />

Gavin Hogg along with his team of<br />

staff and volunteers who support the<br />

development of school players on the<br />

various pathways through their in-season<br />

and summer programmes as they work<br />

towards participation in the Inter-Provincial<br />

championships.<br />

I hope that today’s match provides an<br />

exciting climax to the season but whatever<br />

the outcome, that all involved enjoy the day<br />

and lasting memories have been formed. I<br />

would strongly encourage all the players<br />

leaving school this year to continue playing<br />

the game for many years by linking up with<br />

a club or university/college team next year.<br />

For some, becoming a referee may be an<br />

option or something that others do when<br />

their playing days are over. The camaraderie<br />

and friendships you make will last long after<br />

you have hung up your boots.<br />

Richard J Clingan<br />

Chair, <strong>Ulster</strong> Schools’ Committee<br />

ulster.rugby 7


Campbell<br />

College<br />

“We’re really pleased with how we performed in the semi-final.<br />

“In those first five, 10 minutes, we showed great heart in defending our line and it<br />

highlighted our team spirit and the way we play as a team. The game opened up in<br />

the second half and we got some more opportunities to show how our coaches had<br />

prepped us.<br />

“To face RBAI, it’s exciting because they’ve got a strong team and we’ll have to take it<br />

up another notch, but I think we’re ready to do that and take it to them.<br />

“Last year’s final is in the back of my mind, but we’ve got a lot of new players in the<br />

squad.<br />

“The focus is still to win the Schools’ <strong>Cup</strong>, but we’re a different unit now.”<br />

Flynn Longstaff<br />

Campbell College 1st XV Captain<br />

ulster.rugby 9


CAMPBELL<br />

COLLEGE<br />

v<br />

ROYAL BELFAST<br />

ACADEMICAL<br />

INSTITUTION<br />

Lukas Kenny<br />

15<br />

Joshua Gibson<br />

Henry Ralston<br />

14<br />

Flynn Morrow<br />

<strong>Final</strong><br />

Appearances<br />

43<br />

Wins 24<br />

Runners-Up 15<br />

Shared Titles 4<br />

Matthew Booth<br />

James McConnell<br />

Jake Daly<br />

Matt Rea<br />

13<br />

12<br />

11<br />

10<br />

James Hilman<br />

Fraser Cunningham<br />

Alex Place<br />

Josh Eagleson<br />

<strong>Final</strong><br />

Appearances<br />

57<br />

Wins 32<br />

Runners-Up 21<br />

Shared Titles 4<br />

Sean Robinson<br />

9<br />

Callum Soper<br />

Chris Massey<br />

1<br />

Blake McClean<br />

Jed Dornan<br />

2<br />

James Clark<br />

Flynn Longstaff (Capt.)<br />

3<br />

Jacob Boyd (Capt.)<br />

Alexander Brennan<br />

4<br />

Jacob Edwards<br />

Daniel Harkin<br />

5<br />

Daniel Moore<br />

Cal McKinney<br />

6<br />

Callum Simms<br />

Cameron Faith<br />

7<br />

Jack Parkinson<br />

Joe Jeffery<br />

8<br />

Bryn Ward<br />

Replacements<br />

Will Alexander<br />

Robbie Holmes<br />

Daniel Solomon<br />

Charlie McClurg<br />

Scott Gray<br />

Harry Dyer<br />

Sam Boomer<br />

Jay Davis<br />

16<br />

17<br />

18<br />

19<br />

20<br />

21<br />

22<br />

23<br />

Euan Paterson<br />

Zak Molyneaux<br />

Shéa Scullion<br />

Milo Carter<br />

Loughlin Sweeney<br />

Sam Patterson<br />

Matthew Sweetlove<br />

Adam Hawthorne<br />

Ref: Henry Richmond<br />

Asst Refs: Stuart Gaffikin, Chris Cahoon,<br />

Andrew Munce, Matthew Wallace<br />

Scottie Rankin<br />

ulster.rugby 11


Royal Belfast<br />

Academical<br />

Institution<br />

“Looking back at the semi-final, the start was a key area for us, maybe a few nerves<br />

with a few playing out on the Kingspan Stadium pitch for the first time. But in the<br />

second half, we just played our own game of rugby and trusted what got us there in<br />

the first place.<br />

“For the final, we have to play the way we want to and take control of the game, get a<br />

few early points, keep the pressure on Campbell, and they won’t be able to handle it.<br />

“As a school, we haven’t had a good chance at the Schools’ <strong>Cup</strong> for a while, but it’s<br />

different now, especially with a good few years of players below us coming through.”<br />

Jacob Boyd<br />

RBAI 1st XV Captain<br />

ulster.rugby 13


Route to<br />

the <strong>Final</strong><br />

<strong>Danske</strong> <strong>Bank</strong> <strong>Ulster</strong> Schools’ <strong>Cup</strong><br />

Group A P W D L TB LB F A Pts<br />

Limavady GS 3 3 0 0 1 0 60 29 13<br />

Cambridge House 3 2 0 1 0 1 50 37 9<br />

Dalriada School 3 1 0 2 1 2 41 25 7<br />

Lurgan College 3 0 0 3 0 0 14 74 0<br />

Group B P W D L TB LB F A Pts<br />

Limavady GS 3 3 0 0 1 0 60 29 13<br />

Cambridge House 3 2 0 1 0 1 50 37 9<br />

Dalriada School 3 1 0 2 1 2 41 25 7<br />

Lurgan College 3 0 0 3 0 0 14 74 0<br />

Group C P W D L TB LB F A Pts<br />

Limavady GS 3 3 0 0 1 0 60 29 13<br />

Cambridge House 3 2 0 1 0 1 50 37 9<br />

Dalriada School 3 1 0 2 1 2 41 25 7<br />

Lurgan College 3 0 0 3 0 0 14 74 0<br />

Round of 16<br />

Ballymena Academy 10-13 Campbell College<br />

Dromore HS 34-22 Down HS<br />

RS Dungannon 24-18 Ballyclare HS<br />

Coleraine GS 15-7 Limavady GS<br />

Sullivan Upper 8-7 RS Armagh<br />

Belfast Royal Academy 22-29 Methodist College<br />

Wallace HS 43-5 Foyle College<br />

Enniskillen Royal GS 13-29 RBAI<br />

Group D P W D L TB LB F A Pts<br />

Limavady GS 3 3 0 0 1 0 60 29 13<br />

Cambridge House 3 2 0 1 0 1 50 37 9<br />

Dalriada School 3 1 0 2 1 2 41 25 7<br />

Lurgan College 3 0 0 3 0 0 14 74 0<br />

Group E P W D L TB LB F A Pts<br />

Limavady GS 3 3 0 0 1 0 60 29 13<br />

Cambridge House 3 2 0 1 0 1 50 37 9<br />

Dalriada School 3 1 0 2 1 2 41 25 7<br />

Lurgan College 3 0 0 3 0 0 14 74 0<br />

Quarter-<strong>Final</strong>s<br />

RBAI 40-0 Dromore HS<br />

Wallace HS 25-17 Coleraine GS<br />

Sullivan Upper 20-36 Campbell College<br />

RS Dungannon 7-38 Methodist College<br />

Semi-<strong>Final</strong>s<br />

Methodist College 10-31 Campbell College<br />

RBAI 31-14 Wallace HS<br />

ulster.rugby 15


ONSLOW PARADE<br />

TURNSTILES<br />

PROMENADE 1<br />

PROMENADE 2<br />

ABBEY AUTOLINE FAMILY STAND<br />

FOOD TRUCKS<br />

ADMIN’<br />

BUILDING<br />

EAST TERRACE<br />

MOUNT MERRION AVE<br />

TURNSTILES<br />

CAMPBELL COLLEGE<br />

A&L GOODBODY LOUNGE / VIP BOXES<br />

Respect Policy<br />

RBAI<br />

GENERAL PUBLIC<br />

FINAL | FRI 17 MAR, 3PM<br />

CAMPBELL<br />

COLLEGE<br />

RBAI<br />

GENERAL<br />

PUBLIC<br />

We are passionate<br />

in our support<br />

We are silent during<br />

kicks at goal<br />

We respect the match<br />

officials’ decisions<br />

We drink<br />

responsibly<br />

Turnstiles will be open from 1.30pm.<br />

Turnstiles at both Mount Merrion and Onslow Parade will be open.<br />

Parking is not available within or around the stadium.<br />

We do not tolerate<br />

abusive or discriminatory<br />

language<br />

We respect opposition<br />

players, management<br />

& supporters<br />

We are mindful<br />

of our language<br />

INCIDENT HOTLINE<br />

07790<br />

200 200<br />

Food trucks and light refreshments will be available.<br />

Look out for the Cool FM street team who will be providing the pre-match soundtrack<br />

and offering some great prize giveaways including concert tickets.<br />

The Kukri Store will be open.<br />

Public Bars will be not be in operation for any schools fixtures.<br />

ulster.rugby 17


Thank You<br />

Main Sponsor<br />

OFFICIAL<br />

APP<br />

Kit Sponsor<br />

Official On-kit Sponsors<br />

Official Sponsors<br />

Domestic Sponsors<br />

Official Partners<br />

ulster.rugby 19


NOW ON<br />

SALE<br />

Sat 25 Mar<br />

7.35pm<br />

Fri 14 Apr<br />

7.35pm<br />

Fri 21 Apr<br />

7.35pm<br />

ulster.rugby

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