The Royal School Armagh have announced an “historic achievement in its sporting history” as both the 1st XI Girls’ Hockey and 1st XV Rugby teams have advanced to their respective Schools’ Cup Finals.
This remarkable feat underscores the school’s commitment to excellence in sports and academic endeavour.
The 1st XI Girls’ Hockey team has secured their fourth consecutive appearance in the Schools’ Cup Final.
They are on the brink of achieving a ‘triple-double’ – winning both the Superleague (now known as the Stevenson Cup) and the Schools’ Cup for the third consecutive year.
This will be the 11th time the team has reached the final since their first in 2002, aiming to clinch their 9th title and third in a row.
The final is scheduled for Wednesday March 5, at 7pm at Playball, Stormont.
The team is led by Captain Grace McCool and Vice-Captain Scarlett Taylor, whose leadership has been instrumental in this season’s success.
The 1st XV Rugby team has shown outstanding skill and determination throughout the season, securing their place in the Schools’ Cup Final with a commanding 48-19 victory over Rainey Endowed School in the semi-final at Kingspan Stadium.
Their opponents in the eagerly awaited final will be Wallace High School from Lisburn – a team they were set to face in their last scheduled final appearance in 2020, before the match was cancelled due to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
As a result, both schools were named joint champions that year. The 1st XV Rugby team has been guided by Captain Thomas Dougan and Vice-Captain Cameron Cummings, inspiring their squad to reach new heights this year.
This year’s dual success mirrors the achievements of 2004, the last occasion both teams reached their respective finals in the same year.
Notably, the current Rugby Development Officer, Mr. Gillespie, was a member of the 1st XV Rugby team in 2004, and Mrs. Knox, now Head of Hockey, served as the 1st XI Hockey coach at that time.
The 2004 season was marked by significant highs, including dual Ulster Cup victories and an All-Ireland win for the girls. It was also a year of profound loss, with the tragic passing of John McCall, a pupil at Royal School Armagh and the team captain in the 2004 rugby final, who died while on U19 World Cup duty.
The success this year extends beyond the 1st teams. The Boys’ 2nd XV Rugby team, led by Captain Harry Anderson, triumphed in the Plate competition on 19 February, defeating Ballyclare 28-18.
The 2nd XI Girls’ Hockey team, captained by Lily Dougan, will compete in the McDowell Cup Final against Rainey Endowed School on Tuesday, 11 March, at Stormont. Additionally, the Medallion Bowl team, captained by Jack Beggs, secured a 14-3 victory over Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, showcasing the depth of talent and dedication across RSA’s sporting squads.
The Royal School Armagh invites all pupils, Old Armachians, and supporters to attend these finals and cheer on the teams as they strive for victory.
