Donegal Town RFC played host to the area qualifier of the Ulster Branch Under 14 High Schools' Cup
12 teams involving over 200 players took part in the competition which also acts as the first round of the Donegal Schools' Cup. The standard of the competition once again stepped up a level from the previous year with 4 or 5 teams in the running for the top spot. After 15 games in the pool stages, it was St. Columba's, St Eunan's, St Columb's and Carndonagh CS who battled it out in the semi finals.
After some very competitive games it was St Columba's and St Columb's who reached the final- a repeat of a previous pool game. St Columba's got off to a very good start with 2 early tries, but a late rally by St. Columb's made the last few minutes very entertaining for onlookers. With two minutes to go, a great try from St Columba's sealed the victory and a place in the Cup Finals in Belfast.
From the Donegal Schools' Cup perspective it will be St Eunan's, St Columba's, Magh Ene and Carndonagh CS who will be in pole position for the U14 Cup at the finals in March. The other schools will have the opportunity to play for the Plate and Bowl so there is still plenty of silverware to play for.
Organisers of the competition would like to thank the following schools and teachers for their efforts in what was a great day of rugby: Mairead McGuire of St Catherine's, Annette Gildea of Ballinamore, John Reilly, Keith Mc Gloin and Mark Rooney of Magh Ene College; Emma O'Mally, Michael Doherty and Ray Gallagher of Colaiste Colmcille, Gerard Doherty of St Columba's, Mark Spencer and Brian Mc Nally of Carndonagh CS, Raghnall Quinn of Rosses CS, John Fox and Johnny Kennedy of St Eunan's, John Lynch of Loreto Milford, Evelyn Crampsie and Frank Boyce of Mulroy College and Lee Mosby of St Columb's.
Thanks also to YDOs Adam Keys, Philip Brady, Stephen Corr and Jonathan Quigley for assisting with the school training sessions and to referees Paul McCarroll and Jarryd Bennett. Finally, thanks to Donegal Town RFC for providing their facilities on the day.
From all in the DCRP, good luck to St Columba's in the Ulster Finals in Belfast; the whole county is behind you!
Click here to see team photos from the qualifier
