Ulster Rugby - Annual Report 2017-18

The Royal Belfast Academical Institution deserves a special word of thanks for hosting the Ulster U19 match. The authorities at Newforge should be thanked for the provision of gym, pitch and team room facilities throughout the summer period. Thanks are also due to Ulster Rugby and the staff at the Ulster Rugby Administration Department for their continued support of the Ulster U19 squad. ULSTER UNDER 18 (CLUBS) Head Coach: Jonny Gillespie Assistant Coach: Jonny Graham Strength and Conditioning: Gavin Dunlop Manager: Eamon McCormick Winter training was based centrally at Meadowbank sports complex in Magherafelt with sessions on Monday nights which included playing selected Schools on a schedule to compliment the regular squad sessions. Following the May break the summer programme was based in Ballymena Academy, meeting three times weekly. Physiotherapist: Bebhinn Flaherty Age Grade Manager: Michael Black

In preparation for the Inter-Provincial series of games the Ulster U19 squad played two matches. The first game saw the squad play an internal game against players from the Ulster Academy and sub Academy, assisted by players released for the occasion from the Ulster Schools U18 group. This game was well contested with all available players getting a run out in the course of the match which the U19 team won by 25-15. Next up was a visit to Buccaneer’s RFC in Athlone, where the squad took on an U19 squad from the Connacht Sub Academy in a series of three twenty five minute sessions. The standard of opposition was something of an unknown quantity and the Ulster management team used these periods as an opportunity to utilise an extended squad of players. This helped them make objective decisions regarding their final selections for the Inter-Provincial series. The Ulster U19 team won this series against the Connacht Sub Academy team by a scoreline of 20-5. The first Inter-Provincial against Connacht U19s took place at the Sportsground in Galway in early September. The game was played in great pitch conditions and the first half was very evenly contested with the Ulster team taking a 21-13 lead into the break. The second half saw the Ulster team lose a player to the “bin” in the early stages, which gave Connacht a foothold in the game. They went on to control both possession and territory for most of the time. The Ulster defence was under severe pressure at times and eventually succumbed to let Connacht in for two tries in the final quarter. Both conversions were successful to leave the final score 27- 21 in favour of Connacht. The following week Ulster visited Dublin to take on the Leinster U19 team at the Donnybrook Stadium. Ulster U19s trailed 13-8 at half time. Nevertheless, there seemed to be enough belief in the squad that they had the ability to turn that deficit around. However, a critical turn-over just when it looked as if Ulster was about to score in the opening exchanges, resulted in seven points for Leinster. When an Ulster player was sent to the “bin” shortly afterwards, the game took on a very different complexion. The floodgates opened and Leinster team ran out as 59-15 winners The third and final Inter-Provincial game the following week saw the team play against their Munster counterparts at the superbly prepared Royal Belfast Academical Institution pitch. Once again the team put on a very good first half performance and led 14-0 at the break. However, the loss of two players to the “bin” at different times in the early stages of the second half allowed Munster back into the game, finally coming out on top by 22-21, much to the disappointment of the Ulster U19 players and management. The team management would like to thank and congratulate all of the players involved with the U19 squad throughout the season. Their hard work, on and off the pitch, was not really reflected by their performances during the Inter Provincials. A number of the Ulster U19 players were involved with the Ulster U20/Academy Development team, while others were involved in working with and playing for the Ireland U18 Sevens team which won the European Championships during August and September. These players are to be congratulated on their achievements.

29