Ulster Schools Rugby Senior Cup

The Ulster Schools Challenge Cup is an annual competition involving schools affiliated to the Ulster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union. The Schools Cup has the distinction of being the world's second oldest rugby competition having been competed for every year since 1876. The trophy itself is a three handled silver cup with a plinth mounted on a large shield.

Format

The Schools Cup was reformatted in 2003/04. Previously teams defeated in the first round would enter the Subsidiary Shield competition, teams losing in later rounds would find their season over. All entrants, except those who drew byes, entered in the first round of the competition. It was felt that this could lead to significant mismatches. The reformatting sought to avoid this and to extend the amount of meaningful rugby played by school teams.

The first round was changed to act as a qualifying stage for weaker teams and first round losers entered a new Schools Trophy competition.

The bulk of the teams entered the competition in the second round where they were joined by the first round qualifiers. Teams losing at this stage are entered into another new competition, the Schools Bowl.

In the third round, four seeded teams entered the fray. Third round losers entered the Subsidiary Shield, renamed the Schools Shield. The Subsidiary Shield was first introduced in 1971. It did not have its own trophy until 1980 when the Headmaster of Grosvenor High School and then Ulster Branch President Ken Reid presented The Grosvenor Shield.

The remaining teams contest for the Schools Cup proper, the semi finals and final of which are played at Ravenhill, the Ulster branch HQ and home of the Ulster side.

The competition format was changed again in 2005/06. The first round was a round robin competition involving three teams. The winner from this joined eleven other teams in the second round. The six winners from the second round joined ten more teams in the third round; the second round losers competed for the Schools Trophy.

The eight third round winners proceeded to the fourth round where they were joined by eight seeded teams. The third round losers competed for the Schools Bowl.

The fourth round proceeded as per the old third round.

The increased number of competitions means that schools which are very unlikely to win the main competition have more competitive rugby and an opportunity to win a trophy.

History

The first winners in 1876 were The Royal School, Armagh. When the Cup no longer had room to record the winners on it, the Cup was mounted on a wooden shield to which plaques were attached. In the centenary year of the competition after the 1976 Final, the Governors of Methodist College presented a new shield, as the original had no more room to record the winners. The Royal School won in 1977, thus claiming the place at the top of the new shield. The first wooden shield is on exhibit at the Ulster Branch offices at Ravenhill.

The first final to be played at Ravenhill was in 1924. Before that finals were played at The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society grounds at Balmoral, the Ulster Sports Club grounds at Cross Parade in Belfast, and one final was even played at the Linfield Football Club ground at Windsor Park. [Belfast Newsletter 17/03/1922 Page 2]

A total of seventeen schools have won the trophy at least once.

Although not widely known outside of Ireland, the Schools Cup is important within Ulster rugby. With no school 1st XV league, the Schools Cup is the only competitive rugby played by the senior school teams. As a result it is taken very seriously, particularly by the more successful schools. It is not unusual for a Cup squad to have two or three coaches and a physio. They will have trained intensively, usually from the summer and may even have been given dietary advice to optimise their performance.

Some schools openly film matches involving potential rivals and rumours of player poaching, particularly from smaller schools with less chance of success, have abounded for years.Fact|date=May 2007 Coaches have also been known to contact the coach of the previous opponents of the next team they play and ask for analysis.

The initial rounds of the Schools Cup will routinely attract two to three hundred spectators, more if one or both of the schools playing are viewed as contenders.Fact|date=May 2007 The semi-finals and finals have crowds of up to five or six thousand, more if it was a local derby match. The St. Patrick's Day final is also televised live on BBC Northern Ireland, complete with half-time punditry and post-match interviews.

Current season - 2007-08

In this year's 4th round the following results were recorded: [citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/irish/7236546.stm|title=BBC Sport report on fourth round results and quarter-final draw|accessdate=2008-02-15]

* Royal Belfast Academical Institution 0-7 Campbell College
* Wallace High School 15-16 Omagh Academy
* The Royal School, Armagh 21-0 Banbridge Academy
* Coleraine Academical Institution 6-10 Regent House, Newtownards
* Grosvenor Grammar School 43-0 Limavady Grammar School
* Belfast Royal Academy 0-31 Ballymena Academy
* Rainey Endowed School 3-20 Ballyclare High School
* Sullivan Upper School 0-36 Methodist College Belfast

In the quarter-final matches the following results were recorded: [citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/irish/7260553.stm|title=BBC Sport report on quarter-final results and semi-final draw|accessdate=2008-02-24] [citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/irish/7267517.stm|title=BBC Sport report on 2008 quarter-final replay|accessdate=2008-02-27]

* Campbell College 0-17 Methodist College (Replay - Game 1: 0-0)
* Regent House 13-7 Royal School Armagh
* Ballyclare High School 17-5 Omagh Academy
* Ballymena Academy 25-3 Grosvenor Grammar School

In the semi-final matches the results were as follows:

* Ballymena Academy 22-23 Methodist College Belfast (Tuesday 4 March)
* Ballyclare High School 8-17 Regent House, Newtownards (Thursday 6 March)

The final match at Ravenhill took place on 17 March and resulted in:

* Methodist College Belfast 36-0 Regent House, Newtownards

Performance by School

Information as provided by Schools Cup Final Programme (various years)

Finals

"Note: Prior to 1942 drawn finals were always replayed. Then in 1942 it was decided if the final is drawn, a replay would only take place if both schools agreed. It has since become the rule that replays are never held and the trophy is automatically shared. Shares occurred in 1942, 53, 54, 60, 62, 63, 64 & 96."

1870s

*1876 The Royal School, Armagh 3-0 Royal Belfast Academical Institution

*1877 The Royal School, Armagh 15-0 Methodist College

*1878 Methodist College 8-0 Royal School Dungannon

*1879 The Royal School, Armagh 6-0 Methodist College

1880s

*1880 The Royal School, Armagh 16-15 Methodist College

*1881 The Royal School, Armagh 6-0 Royal Belfast Academical Institution

*1882 Methodist College 3-0 Derry Academy

*1883 The Royal School, Armagh 8-0 Royal Belfast Academical Institution

*1884 Coleraine Academical Institution 3-0 Foyle College

*1885 The Royal School, Armagh 5-0 Methodist College

*1886 Coleraine Academical Institution 5-0 Royal Belfast Academical Institution (After Extra Time)

*1887 Coleraine Academical Institution 11-0 Galway Grammar School

*1888 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 3-0 Coleraine Academical Institution

*1889 Methodist College 3-0 Coleraine Academical Institution

1890s

*1890 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 16-0 Coleraine Academical Institution

*1891 Methodist College 3-0 Coleraine Academical Institution

*1892 Methodist College 8-0 Coleraine Academical Institution

*1893 Methodist College 3-0 Coleraine Academical Institution

*1894 Coleraine Academical Institution 3-0 Methodist College

*1895 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 6-5 Coleraine Academical Institution

*1896 Methodist College 5-3 Derry Academy

*1897 Coleraine Academical Institution 6-0 Methodist College

*1898 Campbell College 7-0 Coleraine Academical Institution

*1899 Methodist College 21-0 Portora Royal School

1900s

*1900 Foyle College 6-0 Methodist College (after extra time in replay - Game 1: 3-3)

*1901 Methodist College 6-3 Coleraine Academical Institution (Played at Ulster Sports Ground, Cross Parade, Belfast) [Belfast Newsletter 23/03/1901 Page 3]

*1902 Methodist College 38-0 Portora Royal School

*1903 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 28-0 The Royal School, Armagh

*1904 Methodist College 11-0 Portora Royal School

*1905 Portora Royal School 16-5 Methodist College

*1906 Portora Royal School 8-5 Foyle College

*1907 Royal School Dungannon 5-0 Royal Belfast Academical Institution

*1908 Portora Royal School 52-0 Coleraine Academical Institution

*1909 Portora Royal School 42-0 Coleraine Academical Institution

1910s

*1910 Campbell College 7-0 Coleraine Academical Institution

*1911 competition unfinished

*1912 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 11-3 Methodist College

*1913 Campbell College 10-3 Foyle College

*1914 Methodist College 13-0 Foyle College

*1915 Foyle College 5-3 The Royal School, Armagh

*1916 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 3-0 Campbell College

*1917 Campbell College 9-3 Royal Belfast Academical Institution

*1918 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 24-5 Royal School Dungannon

*1919 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 8-0 Campbell College

1920s

*1920 Coleraine Academical Institution 3-0 Campbell College

*1921 Campbell College 8-0 Coleraine Academical Institution

*1922 Campbell College 10-0 Royal Belfast Academical Institution (Played at Windsor Park)

*1923 Campbell College 23-0 Portora Royal School

*1924 Campbell College 16-3 Ballymena Academy (First Ravenhill Final)

*1925 Coleraine Academical Institution 13-3 Methodist College

*1926 Campbell College 11-3 Coleraine Academical Institution (Replay - after a 14-14 draw)

*1927 Methodist College 22-9 The Royal School, Armagh

*1928 Methodist College 24-3 Ballymena Academy

*1929 Methodist College 18-5 Portora Royal School

1930s

*1930 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 14-5 Methodist College

*1931 Campbell College 12-5 Methodist College

*1932 Campbell College 11-0 Royal Belfast Academical Institution

*1933 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 8-0 Methodist College

*1934 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 18-0 Lurgan College

*1935 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 14-0 Methodist College (Replay after 6-6 draw)

*1936 Methodist College 12-3 Coleraine Academical Institution

*1937 Methodist College 5-3 Belfast Royal Academy

*1938 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 7-6 Coleraine Academical Institution

*1939 Coleraine Academical Institution 16-5 Methodist College

1940s

*1940 Portora Royal School 6-3 Coleraine Academical Institution (after extra time)

*1941 Portora Royal School 11-3 Coleraine Academical Institution

*1942 Portora Royal School 5-5 Royal Belfast Academical Institution Shared

*1943 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 8-0 Coleraine Academical Institution

*1944 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 10-0 Coleraine Academical Institution

*1945 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 5-0 Methodist College

*1946 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 8-3 Methodist College

*1947 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 7-3 Methodist College

*1948 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 11-3 Campbell College (Replay after 0-0 draw)

*1949 Methodist College 12-3 Royal Belfast Academical Institution

1950s

*1950 Campbell College 5-0 Royal Belfast Academical Institution

*1951 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 6-0 Campbell College

*1952 Methodist College 15-0 Campbell College

*1953 Methodist College 0-0 Campbell College shared

*1954 Campbell College 10-10 Royal Belfast Academical Institution shared

*1955 Campbell College 6-5 Methodist College

*1956 Campbell College 6-3 Methodist College

*1957 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 5-3 Methodist College

*1958 Annadale Grammar School 5-0 Campbell College

*1959 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 8-0 Royal School Dungannon

1960s

*1960 Campbell College 0-0 Royal Belfast Academical Institution shared

*1961 Campbell College 16-6 Royal Belfast Academical Institution

*1962 Belfast Royal Academy 6-6 Royal Belfast Academical Institution shared

*1963 Belfast Royal Academy 8-8 Rainey Endowed School shared

*1964 Belfast Royal Academy 0-0 Campbell College shared

*1965 Campbell College 14-0 Rainey Endowed School

*1966 Campbell College 3-0 Coleraine Academical Institution

*1967 Rainey Endowed School 9-6 Methodist College

*1968 Campbell College 13-0 Belfast Royal Academy

*1969 Bangor Grammar School 6-3 Campbell College

1970s

*1970 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 11-3 Rainey Endowed School

*197l Belfast Boys' Model School 14-3 Ballymena Academy

*1972 Ballymena Academy 13-9 Belfast Royal Academy

*1973 Ballyclare High School 13-8 Royal Belfast Academical Institution

*1974 Methodist College 7-6 Royal Belfast Academical Institution

*1975 Methodist College 18-7 Royal School Dungannon

*1976 Methodist College 21-3 Campbell College

*1977 The Royal School, Armagh 12-9 Regent House, Newtownards

*1978 Bangor Grammar School 17-9 Annadale Grammar School

*1979 Methodist College 10-7 Bangor Grammar School

1980s

*1980 Campbell College 3-0 Royal Belfast Academical Institution

*1981 Ballymena Academy 12-3 Bangor Grammar School

*1982 Rainey Endowed School 6-4 Ballymena Academy

*1983 Grosvenor High School 10-7 Royal Belfast Academical Institution

*1984 Methodist College 13-9 Belfast Royal Academy

*1985 Bangor Grammar School 12-3 Omagh Academy

*1986 Bangor Grammar School 17-4 Royal Belfast Academical Institution

*1987 Methodist College 10-9 Bangor Grammar School

*1988 Bangor Grammar School 13-4 Coleraine Academical Institution

*1989 Methodist College 26-12 Wallace High School

1990s

*1990 Methodist College 15-0 Campbell College

*1991 Methodist College 23-7 Coleraine Academical Institution

*1992 Coleraine Academical Institution 35-21 Methodist College

*1993 Campbell College 46-13 Dalriada School

*1994 Regent House, Newtownards 8-3 Wallace High School

*1995 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 18-9 Bangor Grammar School

*1996 Methodist College 9-9 Regent House, Newtownards shared

*1997 Belfast Royal Academy 12-0 Royal Belfast Academical Institution

*1998 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 57-3 Coleraine Academical Institution

*1999 Campbell College 18-7 Ballymena Academy

2000s

*2000 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 24-6 Ballymena Academy

*2001 Methodist College 8-6 Royal Belfast Academical Institution

*2002 Campbell College 12-10 Methodist College

*2003 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 23-10 Wallace High School

*2004 The Royal School, Armagh 14-5 Campbell College

*2005 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 12-10 Methodist College

*2006 Methodist College 11-5 Campbell College

*2007 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 15-0 Wallace High School [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/irish/6467485.stm|title=BBC 2007 Final Match Report|accessdate=2007-03-19]

* 2008 Methodist College 36-0 Regent House, Newtownards [citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/irish/7301496.stm|title=BBC Sport 2008 Final Report|accessdate=2008-03-17]

ubsidiary Competitions

The Grosvenor Shield

Subsidiary Shield 1971-2003, Schools Shield 2004-

1970s

*1971 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 9-8 Down High School
*1972 Grosvenor High School 16-9 Royal School Dungannon
*1973 Portadown College 7-0 Belfast Boys' Model
*1974 Down High School 9-4 Portadown College
*1975 Dalriada School 4-3 Carrickfergus Grammar School
*1976 Ballymena Academy 9-6 Belfast Royal Academy [Belfast Newsletter 15/03/1976 Page 10]
*1977 Campbell College 4-3 Belfast Royal Academy
*1978 Coleraine Academical Institution beat Belfast High School
*1979 Ballymena Academy 10-0 Carrick Grammar School

1980s

*1980 Sullivan Upper, Holywood 3-0 Down High School
*1981 Belfast High School 10-6 Larne Grammar School
*1982 Friends School Lisburn 12-9 Down High School
*1983 Belfast Royal Academy 11-6 Wallace High School, Lisburn
*1984 Bangor Grammar School 9-9 Belfast High School Trophy Shared
*1985 Cambridge House, Ballymena 10-3 Coleraine Academical Institution
*1986
*1987 Belfast Royal Academy 8-6 Portadown College
*1988 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 9-7 Ballyclare High School
*1989 Bangor Grammar School 9-3 Coleraine Academical Institution

1990s

*1990
*1991 Portadown College 7-0 Rainey Endowed
*1992 Ballyclare High School 7-6 Royal School Dungannon
*1993 Coleraine Academical Institution beat Ballymena Academy
*1994 Omagh Academy 13-0 Campbell College
*1995
*1996 Royal Belfast Academical Institution beat Portadown College
*1997 Ballymena Academy v ..............
*1998 Rainey Endowed School 8-6 The Royal School, Armagh
*1999 The Royal School, Armagh 26-3 Bangor Grammar School

2000s

*2000 Royal School Dungannon v Portadown College
*2001 Coleraine Academical Institution 28-7 Royal School Dungannon
*2002 Coleraine Academical Institution 23-12 Ballyclare High School
*2003 Coleraine Academical Institution 17-17 Campbell College Trophy Shared
*2004 Methodist College 19-13 Wallace High School, Lisburn
*2005 Belfast Royal Academy 16-12 Ballyclare High School
*2006 Ballymena Academy 17-11 Regent House, Newtownards
*2007 Ballymena Academy 32-12 Portadown College
*2008 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 27-12 Coleraine Academical Institution [citeweb|url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/12799/RBAI-lift-Subsidiary-Shield.3862974.jp|title=Belfast Newsletter Subsidiary Shield Final 2008 Match Report|accessdate=2008-03-11]

chools Bowl

*2004 Regent House, Newtownards 22-0 Dalriada School
*2005 Rainey Endowed School 24-5 Carrickfergus Grammar School
*2006 Foyle and Londonderry College 22-19 Limavady Grammar School
*2007 Royal School Dungannon 11-11 Sullivan Upper, Holywood Trophy Shared
*2008 Foyle and Londonderry College 39-24 Cambridge House, Ballymena [citeweb|url=http://www.ulsterrugby.com/5457_6563.php|title=Ulster Rugby Bowl Final 2008 match report|accessdate=2008-02-20]

chools Trophy

*2004 Lurgan College 19-8 Cambridge House, Ballymena
*2005 Strabane Grammar School 24-13 Lurgan College
*2006 Down High School 48-5 Lurgan College
*2007 Larne Grammar School 11-3 Omagh Academy
*2008 Larne Grammar School 12-0 Dalriada School

ee also

* Ulster Rugby
* Medallion Shield
* Connacht Schools Senior Cup
* Leinster Schools Senior Cup
* Munster Schools Senior Cup
* Ireland national schoolboy rugby union team

ources

External links

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/irish/2851175.stm BBC - The Schools Cup]
* [http://www.ulsterrugby.com Ulster rugby]