Ulster Schools' Cup FInal

GUEST ARTICLE: ROD NAWN

RIVALRIES RENEWED, FRIENDSHIPS FORGED Once again, the second oldest rugby tournament in the world stages its Final at what has become its most traditional Belfast venue.

stadium of today. But it’s an arena which still has real, easily-drawn memories of Finals in the shadow of that giant old Ravenhill grandstand and on those famed tiered terraces opposite. The modern Schools’ Cup tournament has adapted to the times we live in, so for the earlier rounds the fancied and ‘seeded’ sides are virtual spectators until their entry into the fray in February. That does mean that some of the giant-killing acts of yesteryear won’t be repeated, but there are some reasonable grounds for that. It is a truism of the age that schools with big reputations and profile to maintain will invest greater resources, material and human, to sustain status. If RBAI, Methody, RS Armagh and Campbell aren’t vying for the trophy by the quarter-final stages a sea- change will have come over the sport. But, for instance, in Ballyclare, in Enniskillen, Lisburn and in north Down there’ll be renewed application each year and the potential for a new order is realistic and pursued with vigour and the broader production line of talent from across Ulster is evidenced in the emergence of some outstanding young players in the Province’s and Ireland’s age-group sides. The ‘pecking order’ is there to be revised, and though modern sport’s reliance – some would say obsession – with statistics does lead to more progressive training regimes and greater understanding of the physical demands of rugby at all levels, there is something really uplifting about the emergence of an unlikely force to match, and sometimes overtake, the deservedly perennial contenders for the biggest prizes. Those ‘stats’ ranked Methody as the country’s top team at the turn of the year, and coach Nicky Wells has skilfully navigated his gifted charges through to the

The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup decider brings together fierce city rivals, and consistent names on the winners’ honours board, in Campbell College and Methodist College. Those establishments are far from unfamiliar with trips to Kingspan Stadium to wrestle for the coveted old shield with its roll-call of those who have lifted that trophy, and its predecessor, high since 1876. The game is a highlight of the rugby calendar, and not just for schools: its status has grown and been enhanced by the deeds of derring-do many players have gone on to achieve with clubs, Province and country. The St Patrick’s Day date is circled in the diary by many alumni of schools whose journey in this competition started out even before Christmas. The game of rugby, at its best, brings old friends together when careers and lives have taken differing, geographically opposite paths. While the players lucky enough to be featuring in the Final this afternoon will have a suppressed excitement about the potential celebrity which this evening could bring many of those who have been educated over in East Belfast or at the junction of Stranmillis and University Roads will, vicariously or not, relive former triumphs and the occasional disappointments. Today the families have a day out which is quite unique, partisan but genuinely friendly, a sporting decider which allows and encourages social re-engagement, the firmer still bonding of ties which have, in the main, remained unshakeable. No matter that it is rugby’s St Patrick’s Day 24 hours later this year, the endeavour and imagination invested by the boys entrusted with wearing those famous school colours today will be matched in the gaggles, small and large, of friends and foes reunited in the watering holes in and around the modern

8