St. Paul’s tackle first ever rugby match

YEAR 8 pupils at St Paul’s Junior High School recently made history by playing in the school’s first ever full rugby match against St. Patrick’s, Armagh.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Mar 2013, 10:00 BST
The combined Year 8 St. Paul's and St. Patrick's, Armagh team after their first ever rugby match.The combined Year 8 St. Paul's and St. Patrick's, Armagh team after their first ever rugby match.
The combined Year 8 St. Paul's and St. Patrick's, Armagh team after their first ever rugby match.

The match was arranged by Lurgan Rugby Club’s Community Rugby Officer, Graeme Hunter and the Armagh Community Rugby Officer, Mark Riddell.

The match proved to be very competitive with skill levels very high, despite the fact this was the first rugby match for many of the players.

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There has been a great deal of interest in rugby in St Paul’s with Graeme Hunter, Community Rugby Officer, taking PE classes and after school practice throughout the school year. Graeme commented, “It is great to see the interest rugby is generating within St Paul’s. This is proof that the investment made by Ulster Rugby and Moy Park in promoting rugby in the Lurgan area is being successful and I hope it continues to go from strength to strength. I thank PE teachers Mr Mickey Donnelly and Mr Martin McMahon for being so supportive and encouraging the pupils to give rugby a go.”

Following their first match against St Patricks in Armagh, the Year 8 squad attended a rugby blitz in Portadown, organised by Portadown Rugby Club’s Community Rugby Officer, Darren Pepper. On the day, 15 boys took part and recorded two victories over Killicomaine and Clounagh ‘B’ teams and a defeat to St Patrick’s, Armagh. It is hoped to arrange further fixtures before the end of the current season.

Related topics:Armagh