Over the Easter break, a squad of 39 senior rugby players set off on an unforgettable tour to Portugal, accompanied by teachers Mr Hughes, Mr Dunlop, and Mr Laird, along with coaches Mr Lemon and Mr “Wazza” Smyth. The tour combined competitive rugby with activities, sightseeing, and plenty of pool recovery! Across five busy days, the boys displayed outstanding behaviour both on and off the field, demonstrating maturity, respect, and sportsmanship at all times, and proving themselves to be excellent ambassadors for the school.
The tour began bright and early as the squad set off by bus to Dublin Airport for their flight to Lisbon. After arriving in Portugal and settling into the hotel, the boys made the most of the facilities with a pool recovery session before heading out to a nearby pitch for a light evening training session to stretch the legs and shake off the travel fatigue.
The second day was filled with sporting activity from start to finish. The morning began with a lively game of paddle tennis, followed by beach football and volleyball under the Portuguese sun. That evening saw the first fixtures of the tour, with both the 1st XV and 2nd XV taking on Setúbal RFC. Both teams came away with impressive wins, playing a fast-paced, offloading brand of rugby that thrilled the local crowd.
Day three was a well-earned activity day, starting with golf lessons focusing on putting, pitching, and driving. In the afternoon, the squad took on a treetop adventure course—though torrential rain cut the activity short! Spirits remained high as “Wazza” led the boys in a singalong in the rain. The day concluded with a team quiz hosted by Mr Lemon.
The morning began with a focused technical training session, giving the players a chance to fine-tune aspects of their game. Later, the group enjoyed some free time exploring Lisbon’s main shopping centre before heading into their final fixtures. The 1st XV produced another strong performance, defeating Agronomia RFC U18s, while the 2nd XV battled hard but lost in an entertaining encounter against Direito RFC U18s on a 4G pitch – Alfie and Lorcan even ended the day playing for the Portuguese side!
On the final day, the squad visited the Estádio da Luz, home of Benfica FC. Before travelling home, the squad surprised Mr Hughes with a personalised Benfica shirt to thank him for his organisation and leadership throughout the tour.