McCarter treble inspires Foyle

McCarter, who only returned from New Zealand after playing for Ireland during the recent Under 19 Cricket World Cup, helped himself to three tries during Friday's empathic 28-7 victory over Grosvenor Grammar School.

"It's brilliant to score a hat-trick at Ravenhill, to be honest I couldn't believe it," he said.

"I got the first try for us which was brilliant and I thought 'happy days I have got a try at Ravenhill', then I got two more then which was brilliant."

The Killyclooney batsman's third try was something special, he side stepped a few challenges before scoring behind the posts.

"My third try was a bit special and it's something we have worked at both in training and in a few matches this year. It was good that the move came off on the big pitch like Ravenhill.

"We came into the game thinking Grosvenor were more of a packed team and we knew that our backs were probably the best part of our side, so we decided to get the ball moving and the tactics worked very well."

As for skipper Aaron Patterson, who was playing his final game for the school, he too was over the moon with the victory.

"It was an unbelievable day and it was exactly what I was hoping for, fair play to Grosvenor they did perform, but our star player Graeme McCarter tore their back-line apart and made the difference," he admitted.

"The conditions did suit us big time but I have to say that our team did perform and certainly did me proud, in what will be my final game for Foyle.

"Playing at Foyle was a privilege, the coaching throughout my years at the school has been fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

"The crowd really got behind us and there was a part in the beginning of the second half where I thought maybe it could swing the other way, but we fought back and kept them out and won the game."

Coach Gerald McCarter was thrilled by his side's display and felt it was their best performance of the season.

"I think we deserved to win - there is no doubt about that, you aren't going to win a cup final and dominate the whole game, so you have to be prepared to dig deep when the time is hard and we certainly did that at the start of the second half, but I don't think anyone could say that we didn't deserve to win," he said.

"We played some excellent rugby and some very, very good tries and I think we gave a performance that did justice to the surroundings of the headquarters of Ulster rugby.

"Aaron (Patterson) has led from the front all season; it was great for him to win another final at Ravenhill, in what will be his final year with the school.

"He deserves his glory because he certainly set an excellent example throughout the year and I'm delighted that he's able to go up and lift the trophy.

"It wouldn't have mattered who scored the tries as long as we won the game, but for Graeme (McCarter), for him to score a hat-trick at Ravenhill, is something special for him."