Ulster School's Cup Final 2018

their old rivals Methodist College in the Semi- Final at the Kingspan Stadium. For the Royal School Armagh, a comprehensive victory over Cambridge House Grammar School in their first game in the competition was followed by triumphs over strongly fancied opposition in Wallace High School and RBAI, the Cup holders, in the Quarter-Final and Semi-Final respectively. All of these contests proved to be excellent advertisements for our schools’ game, not only in terms of the quality of rugby on show but also in the atmosphere provided by the supporters from all the schools. I look forward to similar excellence both on and off the field today. The Schools’ Committee, and all our schools, are indebted to Danske Bank for their continued support and generosity without which we would struggle to meet all the demands of our competitions, never mind our representative squads and player development programmes. I am delighted to welcome their Chief Executive, Kevin Kingston, and other Danske Bank representatives to what represents their 13th Schools’ Cup Final as our sponsors and to thank them for all they do on our behalf. Similarly, I am pleased that many of the Principals and Masters i/c Rugby from our participating schools are also joining us today. Without their support and continued commitment to the game, rugby in Ulster could not flourish. I hope that they enjoy the occasion and the rare opportunity to socialise with colleagues away from the normal day-to-day challenges which they face. Another group to whom the Schools’ Committee owes much gratitude for their assistance throughout the season is the Ulster Society of Rugby Football Referees and I offer best wishes to today’s officials, led by referee Johnny Erskine. I hope they have an enjoyable game without controversy. There are many people working behind the scenes to ensure the success of schools’ rugby and the development of schools’ players in Ulster and I thank them all: the members of the Schools’ Committee for their dedication to develop our game and the administration of all our competitions; the administrative staff at Ulster Rugby, particularly Jill and Lesley; our

PRO, ‘Barney’ McGonigle who ensures that schools’ rugby gets unsurpassed coverage in the press; the Ulster Rugby professional staff, under the direction of Kieran Campbell, who are supporting the development of players and coaches in schools and, of course, all those coaches and assistants who are working with our young players. Without this contribution, schools’ rugby in Ulster would be in a much poorer place. Finally, I trust that today will be an occasion to remember with all involved proving themselves as excellent ambassadors for their schools and for our great game. I wish the coaches, under the leadership of Willie Faloon and Brian Robinson, and the players from both schools all the best for today… may the better side win. Stephen W Black Chairman Ulster Schools’ Committee

SCHOOLS’ COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

www.danskebankschoolscup.com

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