On Wednesday 5th March, Limavady Grammar 1st XV will take on Ballyclare High School in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl. This is a fantastic achievement for the squad who will be aiming to go the whole way at the home of Ulster Rugby.
This season, the team have been led by head coach and Limavady GS Director of Rugby, Mr B Hughes. He has been assisted by Mr A Lemon, Simon Connolly, and Warren Smyth. The team have also had assistance throughout the season from Ryan Brolly, Peter Wilson, and past pupils, Cooper McCausland, Robert McFarland, and David Quinlan. Medallion coaches Mr M Dunlop and Mr P Laird have also added their expertise in the latter stages of the competition. Number 8, Dara McAuley has led the team admiral as captain, with assistance from vice-captain Seth Guy and the senior leadership team.
The squad have had an impressive run this season to reach this stage, with only one defeat in the group stages of the Schools’ Cup tournament. Limavady were placed in a group with Cambridge House, Royal School Armagh, and Larne Grammar School. Home victories either side of defeat to, now Schools’ Cup finalists, Armagh meant Limavady just missed out on progressing in the cup competition but instead set up at last 16 tie with neighbours, Foyle College.
In a tight game, with a late scare, the boys came out on top 19-17, thanks to tries from McAuley, Killian Brolly, and James Mackey. Now into the quarter finals, Limavady knew that the competition would only get tougher. They were grateful to draw a home tie against Portadown College and prepared well. A slow start saw the team slip to a 14-0 deficit early in the first half. But two tries from Guy and one from McAuley and a perfect record of 5 kicks from 5 from James Laird, saw them claw their way back to an impressive 27-21 win.
In the semi-final, Limavady would face Friends School, Lisburn; once again, at home! After a deluge of rain during the week, the team knew that the conditions would play their part in the game. With the wind in their faces in the first half, LGS once again had to come from behind. And once again, the dependable boot of James Laird allowed them to stay in the fight. An exchange of penalties in the last 10 minutes of the game saw Laird kick for the lead on two occasions, with the match winner coming from right on the touch line in front of the passionate home support.
The boys were delighted to keep their season going, reaching a final, with the huge reward of a trip to the Kingspan Stadium. The anticipation is building in school as over 500 pupils and staff prepare to make their way to support. The squad would be delighted to see the whole Limavady community get behind them from the stands on Wednesday afternoon.
Tickets must be purchased in advance online www.ulsterrugby.com/buytickets. Public tickets will be situated in the Grandstand seated areas. Tickets are priced at £12 for adults and £6 per child (Ticketmaster service charges will apply).
