The 1st XV and 2nd XV are proudly sponsored by Kingbridge Private Hospital, North-West, DMC Properties and Mortgages, Air Cool Engineering and Mitsubishi Electrics for the 2022.23 and 2023.24 seasons.

It was a very enjoyable year for the 1st XV squad reaching the Round of 16 in Schools’ Cup, winning all three of their Group stage games. This was a fantastic achievement for the team led by Captain Joe Caldwell, with Ben Nutt as Vice-Captain and Odhran Clenaghan as the Junior Vice-Captain. The boys trained hard twice a week in the gym and three times a week on the pitch which was evident in their performance . It was a young squad and with many Year 12s playing in the squad, the future is bright.

The Schools’ Cup moved back to the group format with 3 group games. The boys worked really hard to defeat Cambridge House in a close encounter at home 20-19, with Robert McFarland and Joe Caldwell putting in a massive effort in the backline. The next game they defeated local rivals Dalriada 8-7 with a superb defensive effort from Ben Nutt and Odhran Clenaghan in the back row. The final game was against Lurgan College. After a snow delay, the boys travelled to Lurgan and came away with a third group victory, scoring 5 tries in the process, to top the group.

In the next round of 16 they played local rivals Coleraine GS, in a repeat of last year’s third round match. In a very entertaining game, played in front of a massive crowd, despite a very strong performance they were narrowly defeated 15-7 against a very strong CGS side. Next it was on to the Subsidiary Shield, with a game away to Down High School. The squad travelled down the evening before and stayed in the La Mon Hotel, where the boys prepared really well for the game, but unfortunately the Down High team were too strong and the season ended with defeat. The boys should be really proud of their achievements having reached the Round of 16 for the first time in over 8 years.

This year’s forwards were young and athletic and showed some excellent skills. In the front row we had Seth Guy, Arlen Magee with James McLaughlin at tight head, with Harry Ritchie providing cover at prop and hooker. Year 12s Seth Guy and James McLaughlin also got their first taste of senior rugby scrumming from prop. In the engine room Year 12 Joel Osbourne was partnered by the talented Conor Jones. The back row was one of our biggest strengths this year, led by the Vice Captain Ben Nutt at 8, the ‘king of the jackal’ at 7 Odhran Clenaghan and the ‘hard hitting Ethan Mullan at 6, ably supported by the hard-working Adam McConnollogue. We lose 1 starter from the starting team for next season.

In the backs we had a large number of talented Year 14 players. In the half backs the dynamic duo of Matthew Armstrong at scrum half and our ‘kicking pro’ Benjamin Howe at 10, with Cooper McCausland providing excellent cover. The centre partnership was one of our biggest strengths with Robert McFarland and Captain Joe Caldwell causing damage throughout the season in both attack and defence. The back three were young and agile this year with Cooper McCausland at 15 and Callum Watts and Scott Hawthorne taking up the wing positions. The back three positions were also contested by leavers Shea Kealey and Harry McDonald. This was a strong backline that scored some fantastic tries this season with plenty of pace and creativity across the division. A mention also goes to young half backs Josh Connolly and James Laird, who both show promise for the future.

It was not the end to the season we would have liked, but the effort and enthusiasm throughout the year was fantastic. I would like to thank Simon Connolly for his help with 2nd XV and to Mr Alistair McFarland and Mr Aaron Mullan for his first aid support. It was great to recognise our Assistant coach Mr Andrew Lemon for all his hours of volunteering and coaching over the past number of years at the annual Sports Assembly. We would like to thank our new sponsors Kingsbridge Private Hospital North-West, DMC Properties and Mortgages, Air Cool Engineering, Mitsubishi, and Kukri Sports. Thanks also goes to St John’s Ambulance for their continued medical support every Saturday and to Marshall Howe for sponsoring jackets for all our coaches. We value your support in helping LGS rugby grow!

Mr B Hughes
Head of LGS Rugby