Ulster Rugby v Connacht

ULSTER U18 SCHOOLS SECURE FIRST INTER-PRO TITLE IN 12 YEARS

Nathan Doak opened the scoring for the Ulster team with a well struck penalty in the fifth minute to give his team a 3-0 lead. This became 8-0 eleven minutes later, when Ryan O'Neill crashed over for an unconverted try following a series of multiple phase plays. The Leinster team replied midway through the half when, following a rare appearance into the Ulster half, Mike O'Gara converted a penalty opportunity which reduced the deficit to 8-3. The last few minutes of the first period of play saw the Danske Bank Ulster Schools' team extend their lead to 15-3 when an Aaron Sexton run took play deep into Leinster territory. The resultant ruck produced the quality possession which enabled James Nelson to finish with a try. Nathan Doak added the extras. With the final play of the half the Leinster team reduced the arrears to 15-10 when Ross McInnes scored a try which was converted by Mike O'Gara. Six minutes into the second half more Ulster pressure saw the Leinster team concede a penalty which Nathan Doak converted to extend the Ulster lead to 18-10. Back came the Leinster team and, six minutes from the end, Sam Dardis scored a try, which Mick O'Gara converted, to see the scoreboard read 18-17 in favour of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools' team. A vital turnover towards the end of the game by the Ulster forwards, and the ability to run the clock down, ensured the Danske Bank Ulster Schools' team finished the game as deserved winners of the 2017/18 IRFU Schools' U18 Championship. It was a delighted John McKee, captain of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools' team, who lifted the Inter-Provincial Championship Cup at the post- match presentation ceremony. A remarkable 17 schools were represented in the squad, highlighting the strength of schools' rugby across the Province. Championship for the first time, thanks to a thrilling 18-17 win over Leinster in Donnybrook on Saturday 23rd September. The Danske Bank Ulster U18 Schools team have won the Schools Inter-Provincial

DANKSE BANK ULSTER U18 SCHOOLS SQUAD Angus Adair RBAI Robbie Armstrong Methodist College Thomas Armstrong Methodist College David Browne Limavady

ULSTER U18

Keelin Coyle Foyle & GS College Ben Crangle Methodist College Bryn Davies Rainey Endowed

Nathan Doak Wallace HS Oscar Egan Coleraine GS Lewis Finlay Down HS Nic Jennings RS Armagh

Robbie Johnston Regent House Chris Larmour Methodist College Tom Lavery RBAI Joshua McAuley Ballymena Academy David McCann RBAI Ben McCaughey Friends' School Lisburn

Jake McCay Omagh Academy Ben McCrossan Bangor GS Ethan McIlroy Methodist College Robin McIlveen RBAI

John McKee Campbell College Glenn McKinley Omagh Academy Kevin McNaboe Methodist College Peter McRoberts Wallace HS Bradley Mulholland Friends' School Lisburn James Nelson Ballyclare HS Ryan O'Neill RS Armagh Harry Owens Campbell College Ben Power Campbell College George Pringle Friends' School Lisburn Conor Rankin Wallace HS George Saunderson Sullivan Upper Aaron Sexton Bangor GS Robbie Sproule Omagh Academy Tom Stewart Belfast Royal Academy Jack Stinson Campbell College Charlie Worth RS Armagh MANAGEMENT TEAM Head Coach: Kieran Campbell Assistant Head Coach: Bryan Young Assistant Coach: John Creighton Strength and Conditioning Coach: Matthew Maguire Physiotherapist: Richard Johnston Resources Manager: Adrian Walker Doctor: Ryan Hamilton Video Analyst: Mark Chernek Manager: Richard Clingan

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