Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 28th February 2026.
On Tuesday 24th February, Belfast High School and Cambridge House Grammar School played in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy at the Belfast Royal Academy playing fields at Roughfort.
At the end of this well contested Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy final, it was the Cambridge House Grammar School Medallion team which emerged as 24-14 winners.
After the final whistle, Gary Greer, Chair of the Ulster Age Grade Committee, congratulated both teams, as well as their coaches, on reaching the final, thanked the parents/guardians of all the players for their support given to the players throughout the season, thanked the referee, Ross Copeland for the way in which he controlled the game, thanked Karl Warner, Chris McCarey, and especially Anton, the Belfast Royal Academy ground man, for the use of facilities and hosting the game and thanked the Danske Bank for their continued support, now in its 21st season, of all the Ulster Schools’ competitions.
Gary then went on to present the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy finalist medals to all the players involved and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy to James Johnston, captain of the victorious Cambridge House Grammar School Medallion team.
On Wednesday 25th February, Friends’ School, Lisburn and Larne Grammar School played a 1stxv friendly game which featured quite a number of Year 14 players playing their final games for their respective schools.
At the end of this high scoring game, the Larne Grammar School team emerged as 39-27 winners.
The Friends’ School, Lisburn points came through tries from Scott Henderson, Paddy Arnold, Joshua Hannigan, Max Warwick and Joel Irwin.
Scott Henderson added the extras to one of the Friends’ School, Lisburn tries.
On the back of a Man of Match performance from Nicholas Robinson, the Larne Grammar School points came through tries from Ryan McDowell, Benjamin Sterling, Corbin Marsden, Will Millar and Nicholas Robinson.
Jonnie Kennedy had a fine game off the tee when he added two successful penalty kicks as well as four successful conversion kicks.
Meanwhile, at Osbourne Park, the Royal Belfast Academical Institution 4thxv played the Wallace High School 3rdxv in the much-delayed 1/2 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Trophy.
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution 4thxv won this game by 40-0.
On Thursday 26th February, Limavady Grammar School played Bangor Grammar School in their previously postponed Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl 1/2 Final game.
At the end of this well contested encounter, it was the Bangor Grammar School team which emerged as 22-17 winners.
The Limavady Grammar School team, with team captain, Jacob Baird leading from the front, had built up a 10-0 lead with a try from Antoni Zietala, which was converted by Alexander Howe who also kicked a penalty goal.
The Bangor Grammar School team reduced the deficit to 10-7 when Noah Lack ran in for a try which was converted by Ryan Gowdy.
The Limavady Grammar School team then increased their lead to 17-7 when James Mackey touched down for a try which was converted by Alexander Howe.
The Bangor Grammar School team then responded with three tries from George Patterson, Scott Alexander, alongside a second from Noah Lack, one of which was converted by Ryan Gowdy, to secure their 22-17 victory.
On Saturday 28th February, two Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv competition finals took place.
At Grosvenor Grammar School, the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup was played when Methodist College, Belfast 3rdxv played Campbell College, Belfast 3rdxv.
At the end of this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup final, it was the Campbell College, Belfast 3rdxv team that celebrated a 22-12 win.
After the final whistle, Neale Wilson, a member of the Ulster Branch Committee, congratulated both teams, as well as their coaches, on reaching the final, thanked the parents/guardians of all the players for their support given to the players throughout the season, thanked the referee, Terry Cooke, for the way in which he controlled the game, thanked Mark McDowell and his ground staff, for the use of facilities and hosting the game and thanked the Danske Bank for their continued support, now in its 21st season, of all the Ulster Schools’ competitions.
Neale then went on to present the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup finalist medals to all the players involved and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup to Matthew McGonigle, captain of the victorious Campbell College, Belfast 3rdxv team.
Meanwhile at Campbell College, Belfast, Sullivan Upper School 3rdxv and Royal Belfast Academical Institution 4thxv contested the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Trophy.
The final score in this Danske Bank Ulster schools’ 3rdxv Trophy final read Sullivan Upper School 3rdxv 3 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 4thxv 44.
After the final whistle, Greg Irwin, Senior Vice President of the Ulster Branch, IRFU, congratulated both teams, as well as their coaches, on reaching the final, thanked the parents/guardians of all the players for their support given to the players throughout the season, thanked the referee, Richard Willis for the way in which he controlled the game, thanked Johnny Cupitt and the Campbell College, Belfast ground staff for the use of facilities and hosting the game and thanked the Danske Bank for their continued support, now in its 21st season, of all the Ulster Schools’ competitions.
Greg then went on to present the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Trophy finalist medals to all the players involved and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Trophy to Matthew Gray, captain of the victorious Royal Belfast Academical Institution 4thxv team.
Looking towards next season, Friends’ School, Lisburn played Regent House School in an U17 Development game the Friends’ School, Lisburn team won by 19-7.
Joel Irwin, Aidan Lough and Oliver Campbell each ran in for one try for the Friends’ School, Lisburn team with Will Smyth adding two successful conversion kicks.
The Friends’ School squad included a number of younger players such as John Hall, Jonah Uprichard and Josiah Morrison all of whom adapted well to the demands of senior rugby.
The Regent House School team points came through a try from Finn McLean which was converted by Zach McMinn.
Also, looking forward to next season, Lurgan College and Portadown College played U17 Development squads when the teams met at the Lough Road venue in a game the Portadown College team won by 45-10.
The Portadown College team points came through tries from Harvey Creaney, Callum Doak, Sammy Walsh, with two, Harry Ritchie and Andrew Galloway, with two.
Charlie Rodgers was successful with five of his conversion kicks.
The Lurgan College points came through two unconverted tries from the impressive Seth Martin.