History making win for the Junior High

They defeated Dromore High School in the final at Civil Service last Thursday.

Having successfully secured qualification for the finals over a month ago thanks to wins over Bangor Academy (45-0), Aquinas (36-0) and a draw with Dromore High School (5-5) the team had to be patient following two cancellations due to frozen pitches at the Belfast venue.

However it would prove to be a day worth waiting for as the team made their intentions clear from the start with a convincing 29–0 victory over St. Columb’s thanks to three tries from centre and Captain Mark McIlwaine and one each from full-back Kyle Robinson and Vice-Captain Curtis Doak.

The second game was a tougher encounter against Limavady High School with the team eventually winning 17–0 thanks to tries from centre Ben Murtagh, hooker Graeme Bell and open-side Doak.

The final group game against Ballynahinch High School saw McIlwaine score another try and penalty with out-half Jack Burke adding a conversion to ensure the team made it through safely to the semi-finals (10-0).

The semi-final match saw the team come up against a physical and aggressive Slemish College side. Discipline proved a key factor as the Junior High played an intelligent game and more than matched their Ballymena counterparts thanks to the outstanding pitch coverage of the back-row trio of Ryan McCann, Curtis Doak and dynamic number 8 Dylan Gill.

Indeed, Doak and McCann would both score tries along with winger Aaron Elliott and Captain Mark McIlwaine as they won convincingly 22-0.

The final would see the Junior High come up against local rivals Dromore High, a school with a proud history and great record in the competition. However, the Lurgan boys were determined that this would be their day and so it proved.

From the opening whistle it was clear that every player on the Junior High side was totally committed to the cause as they displayed fierce determination in every facet of the game with Dylan Gill and Mark McIlwaine always to the fore.

Quick ruck ball and a fast tempo ensured early pressure on the Dromore line saw them penalised for offside and McIlwaine stepped up to kick the penalty to put his side into an early lead (3-0). Further pressure in the second half saw out-half Jack Burke break through three tackles on his way to the line for an excellent try to extend their advantage to 8-0 and a two score lead.

They were unable to capitalise on further opportunities and the final whistle sparked celebration among the Lurgan players and parents who had travelled to support.

It was a great day for the Lurgan boys and one which will last a long time in the memory as they went through the competition without conceding a single point to any team – a tremendous achievement.

The squad: Jordan Matthews, Graeme Bell, James Bell, Cameron Lyness, Andrew White, Ryan McCann, Curtis Doak, Dylan Gill, Drew Davis, Jack Burke, Aaron Elliott, Mark McIlwaine, Ben Murtagh, Harry Hawkes, Kyle Robinson, Jack Hanna, Des Bingham, Craig Lyttle, Jack Harrison, Jordan McIlwaine, Matthew Wright, Ian Devine.