Friends’ draw Wellington College in Schools’ Cup match

Pictured (L-R) at the launch of the 2015-16 Danske Bank Schools Cup are Ivan McMinn, Head of Business Acquisition at Danske Bank; Jason Lyons, Wellington College, Belfast captain; James Maxwell, Friends School, Lisburn captain and Bobby Stewart IRFU President. Wellington College, Belfast will play Friends School, Lisburn at home in the second round of the competition on Saturday 9 January.

This season’s Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, the world’s second-oldest rugby competition, was launched at Kingspan Stadium this week by the participating captains.

Last season, Lewis McNamara led Royal Belfast Academical Institution to its 30th outright Schools’ Cup success, following a 14-10 win over Wallace High School. The competition was first won by Royal School Armagh back in 1876.

The launch also saw Ivan McMinn, Head of Business Acquisition at Danske Bank and Bobby Stewart, President of IRFU (Ulster Branch), conduct the draws for rounds one and two of this season’s competition.

The draw is as follows:

Round 1 – Saturday 5th December 2015 - Carrickfergus Grammar School v Strabane Academy.

Round 2 – Saturday 9th January 2016 - Larne Grammar School v Royal School, Armagh; Lurgan College v Portadown College; Cambridge House School v Limavady Grammar School; Wellington College, Belfast v Friends’ School, Lisburn; Royal School, Dungannon v Winners of Preliminary Round; Banbridge Academy v Antrim Grammar School; Belfast High School v Foyle and Londonderry College.

Speaking at the launch, Ivan McMinn commented: “We are delighted to be entering the eleventh year of our partnership with the Schools’ Cup and it is a relationship we are immensely proud of.

“Supporting youth opportunity and achievement is a central part of our role in the community and the Schools’ Cup is great competition to be involved in.

“History has shown that the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup is a truly great platform for young talent to shine – you only have to look at today’s Ulster squad for proof of this. I am looking forward to another exciting tournament for the teams, supporters and spectators.”

Wallace High School will join the competition in Round 4 on Saturday 6th February 2016.

Quarter finals – Saturday 20th February 2016; Semi finals - Monday 29th February 2016 / Wednesday 1st March 2016.

The Final will take place on Thursday 17th March 2016 (Kingspan Stadium, 3.00pm).